Look What I Found!

This is a gorgeous plant!! I saw a few in Claire's garden today...when I asked about them, she told me that I had one in my back flower garden. I went and looked...sure enough, there it was! Course, it's on the backside of the garden, so I might not have ever seen it! This is the Sedum (say-dum) 'Autumn Joy'...what a perfect name! Here's the plant (don't look at the tall grasses growing...apparently, I am a poor tender of my flower gardens).




These flowers start to color up in August, turning pink. Slowly the flowers turn red, and later in fall they turn a deeper rusty-red. Claire's bushes look a bit deeper red...more rusty than mine. In fact, her plants look very similar to a piece of wool I have that I'll be using in my next project. Here's a flower head...

Hooking...

I got quite a bit done on my 2sheep rug...have just that little bit of background to do and this corner will be completed. I'm over half done with the background/border now...YAY! I hope to do more hooking tomorrow, but thought I would show this now. I am anxious to get 2sheep completed, as I have a very fun and exciting NEW project waiting. I was going to do the 'antique symmetry' pattern I have, but the one I am going to do instead just cannot wait. {grin}

My NEW Job...

I started another job today. My good friend, Claire, who is a partner in a veterinary clinic, asked if I would help out once in awhile on Saturdays. Course, I said, "yes". I worked with Claire many years ago when I was first a student and then a new technician in private practice. Claire is my friend, my veterinarian, my landlady and now my boss! Cripes! I hope we can keep straight what hat she's wearing!

I was a bit nervous going in, but soon relaxed when I discovered that I hadn't forgotten as much as I thought I might have. Biggest hurdle, in addition to learning exactly how this clinic does things, is the computer program they use. But, I already have a good handle on it, so that's not going to be so much of a hurdle. I had a good time training and will enjoy any hours I put in over there. It's about a 5 minute drive from my door, so what more could I ask for?

I'll be hooking for the rest of today and am hoping to make some good progress on my 2sheep rug! YAY!

That's it for now...nope, not even any photos!

Puppies...

I LOVE puppies! Their curiosity...the way they approach something new...their beguiling natures...their faces/bodies full of expectation...

I babysat for Don & Elaine's new puppy, Sierra, and their old gal, Amber, yesterday. What fun that was! I didn't get any photos of Amber, but here are a few of the puppy. She is almost 4 months old and cute as a button. Sierra absolutely LOVED Allegra (who, by the way, is 9 1/2 years old and so good with the persistent puppy!).

Really difficult to get photos of moving puppies unless one has a helper. But, on this one, Sierra and Allegra were both on sit/stays...not the best angle, but not the worst, either.

See how little Sierra is on Allegra's left side? It was like she was stuck on her...they moved together every step throughout the day!

Look how innocent she looks on this one...but I know better, now! ha!!

One forgets how much time puppies take up...I got nothing done while Sierra & Amber were here, but that is really okay...I had a lot of fun!

I Love 'things'...

Yup, I do. I'll show you what I mean.

I ran across a link to the Yahoo! Widget Gallery...omg...what fun!!! Here's a photo of my computer screen (desktop). See over on the far right side...those are the widgets. They are always there, and I can open or hide each widget. In this photo, the widgets are hidden...the strip is always there on the desktop.

Here's a photo of all of the widgets (what a great word!) I currently have...they're all in the 'open' position. Now you can see what they're all about. On each of the widgets, one is able to set preferences...color, size, etc.

Here's a list of the widgets I have right now...

CLOCK...an analog one that is much larger than my little digital clock in the bottom corner of my screen. I set it to chime every 15 minutes, which helps me keep track of how much time is passing by...you know how it is when you're on the computer.

CALENDAR...if the widget is hidden, just today's date shows. Open, you see the entire month. I usually know what date it is, but it's always nice to have that right there.

MP3 PLAYER...my entire music library is loaded on that and it's just a bit easier to use than my other audio players. Besides, it's cute.

WEATHER...when the widget is hidden, just the temperature shows...as well as what the weather is doing (sunny, raining, cloudy, etc.). When open, it shows the 5 day forecast...which is nice to be able to take a quick peek if I want.

YAHOO! MAIL...shows how many unopened emails I have. That way, I don't have to keep checking.

YAHOO! EMAIL ADDRESSES...I don't really need this, but it's there if I want to look up an address that is not yet in my Wildblue.net email address book.

PICTURE FRAME...I loaded a folder with 'my favorite photos' and they show in the frame...a continuous photoshow. I have it set so that the picture frame is always on top...so I can always see my favorite photos as they rotate through.

SUDOKU...hahahaha!!! I loaded this widget today. I set it to give me a new 'very easy' sudoku puzzle each day...now that I've mastered that level, I thought this would be a great exercise for me each day. It's really fun...bitty numbers to keep track of the possibilities for each square, and different colors to choose from so that you are able to tell which numbers you've entered. What fun is that!!!

Can you see now what I mean...I LOVE things!!! I haven't explored the entire widgets gallery, but it seems almost everything imaginable is available...a metronome, countdown to Halloween, a dashboard dancing hula girl, football schedules, etc. Take a peek if you, too, LOVE THINGS!

This n' That...

Not much going on at my house. I've been busy packing up stuff that I sold on eBay, but no hooking or anything else creative going on. I'll be babysitting a couple of Collies on Saturday, so I should have some photos to share of that experience!


Watched my lawn care specialist mow the yard yesterday...she does a great job. Cayley really didn't want me to take a picture of her...


And, what in the heck are these? It was pretty cold here last week...even into the 30's at night...yet here they are. They look like velvet...anyone know?

That's it for now!

It's Been a Long Time Since I Rock & Rolled...

UPDATE...UPDATE!!!! According to my sources, the ballot registration for tickets is over. Over ONE BILLION hits on the website and the number of registrants is ONE MILLION. Yeah, I know...I said many more million than that, but I think people registered numerous times, so when they kicked out those multiple entrants, that original number was parsed down to ONE MILLION...that's what I think, anyway. So...that actually is good news! 18,000 tickets available to 1,000,000 is 1 chance in ~56!!!!! Course, some of these people notified will take 2 tickets, so that actually increases the odds. ohwell...I still think I should apply for my passport, now! Don't you?

Night Sky...

Here's the sky last evening.

I love to sit on the patio as darkness is falling...to relax and contemplate the day. It's part of what prepares me for another day...the fact that I can find peace in the quiet and beauty of all that is here...if even for a little while.

Sudoku...CONQUERED!!!

YAY...I can now do sudoku!!!! I tell ya...when I couldn't figure it out, I became very frustrated and, yes...obsessed! Stubborn, some say. ha! Anyway, now I can do them...albeit the 'very easy' ones...but still! This one shown in the photo took just 7 minutes...my best time ever!!! {grin} One more thing to add to my list of accomplishments. Now to work on the 'easy' ones...LOL.

It's Been a Long Time Since I Rock & Rolled...

Led Zeppelin is re-forming! No, that’s not REFORMING, as in they are changing to become better (how could that be possible?????). Perhaps I should say...the reformation of Led Zeppelin! Well, no...reformation is what happened to the Catholic Church back in the 16th century...remember Martin Luther King? Oops...not him, just plain ole Martin Luther.

Okay...what I mean is that they’re getting together to perform! YES! That IS what I mean! As in re-form...isn’t that what I said way back in the beginning? I do believe it is! Re-form...to take form again. Now that we’re clear on that....

Seriously...by now, most of the world knows that Led Zeppelin’s 3 band members, plus the son of their dearly departed drummer are re-forming for one night only at London’s 02 arena on November 26. This year. In 2 months. That’s over in England...you know, across the big pond. A heck of a long way from Stoughton, Wisconsin, for sure! Fans have been waiting for this to happen for years!!!! Official news of this gig was announced on September 12 and the world has not been the same since. The fans on the Led Zeppelin email list that I belong to are sending hundreds of emails back and forth with all of their thoughts and plans and so on. It’s very exciting!

I did actually submit my name to the ballot...there’s a lottery drawing. Over 20 million submissions thus far...for just 18,000 available seats. That’s like...1 chance in 1,111. But, good news...they extended the deadline to next Wednesday - so everyone in the entire world (let’s see...world population is currently over 6 billion) has a chance to submit their name, I guess! I have...well, like a snowball’s chance in hell, really! I’m thinking there will be at least another 10 million name submissions...so 1 chance in 1,666 will probably be more accurate.

Hmmmm...I’m thinking I really need to make a plan...you know, just in case. Though I’ve never won anything big, you just never know! (Actually, I did win a contest that Westminster Kennel Club was having online at the time of their big dog show at Madison Square Garden in February of 1997. I correctly identified a Papillon. Haha! No, really, I did! And, I won several dog books! One was ‘Dogs for Dummies’...how I love those yellow books! YAY!)

At any rate...I do digress. I feel it’s very likely that they’ll draw my name and offer me the opportunity to purchase one or two tickets at £125 (that's approximately $250.00). I’ll have 72 hours to come up with the money and THEN, I’ll have 6 weeks to book hotel and flight reservations, get a passport, get time off work (no vacation time coming...will have to call in sick, I’m thinking). By the way...if any of you out there reading this want to go with me, just let me know.

Or, if anyone would like to finance my trip, that would be really terrific of you! Otherwise, I’m trying to come up with a good way to earn money, as it’s likely that no one will make that offer. In my current life, I sell wool. Let’s see...if I sell a fat quarter of wool at $8.50 and make approximately 40% profit, that’s $3.40 per fat quarter sold (I actually have no clue what the profit margin is, so this is just a number I pulled out of my ... hat.) I should have a minimum of $3,000 to cover everything just for myself, don’t you think?

Let’s do the math together. $3,000.00 divided by $3.40 is 882...882 fat quarters is 220 yards of wool that I need to sell within the next 2 months. I guess that is a possibility, isn’t it? Yeah, right. Well, I guess I best get the dye pots going, hey?

By the way, donations would be most appreciated! {grin}

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Here are a few interesting links for you to check out...

Tour the O2

Here's the reason for the gig... Why now?

This guy’s blog entry cracked me up! Here's an excerpt...
by Frank Cerabino...
"...So here are some suggestions how Led Zeppelin can update its songs for the upcoming reunion concert.

Old song title: Stairway to Heaven
New song title: Elevator to Heaven
Reason for change: Take the stairs? Are you kidding? With this sciatica? Feh! Where’s the elevator?

Old song title: Immigrant Song
New song title: Immigrant Mows My Lawn Song
Reason for change: It’s the kind of grass we’re interested in these days.


Old song title: I Can’t Quit You, Baby
New song title: I Can’t Hear You, Baby
Reason for change: If only we knew it wasn’t such a good idea to stand right in front of those amplifiers for all those years.

Old song title: The Song Remains the Same
New song title: The Song Is Not the Same
Reason for change: Somebody needs to write down the chords and lyrics because, jeez, it’s hard enough remembering phone numbers these days.

Old song title: Dazed and Confused
New song title: Dazed and Confused at the Walgreens
Reason for change: This time, it’s prescription drugs that are spacing us out.

Old song title: Heartbreaker
New song title: Heart Smart
Reason for change: Because we want to be able to perform concerts 30 years from now at the assistant living facility."

Read the entire entry here...Bino's blog

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It's too bad ole Percy doesn't still look this way...

I'll keep you posted on this upcoming event, the funding of my trip, the winning (or not) of the tickets, etc.

Any questions? Just call me at...867-5309. Ohyeah, that’s Jenny’s number (remember Jenny? from Tommy Tutone’s song?) {grin}

Have a great weekend!

2Sheep

Here's where I am with my 2Sheep pattern...I'm about 1/2 done with the border and background! If the eyes look a bit odd to you...it's cuz they're not hooked, yet! No special reason...just haven't done them. You know, I'm not a huge fan of hooking round shapes...I've already hooked 15 of those berry/cherry/grape thingies...and have 21 of those little suckers left to hook! ugh!!

This has been a great learning experience for me...it's the first time I've used several different textures and it's been very interesting! The only areas that are NOT textures are the border and the background (ohyeah, the ewe's face and legs). The border is a brown/black and the background is Kashmir, a dye recipe of my own. I started this rug in 2002 at the one and only rug camp I attended...became determined to finish it this year! I have completely changed everything I had done back then...even the color planning!

That's it for now!

Doodling...

I did a bit of dyeing and hooking this a.m., but now it's time to put everything away...it's lunchtime! I haven't had pizza for a week...so that is what I shall have! It's no wonder I've been feeling deprived for the last few days. {grin}

For your viewing pleasure, here is another sneak peek at what I'm working on.

I see at least three things that I need to fix on this section. ohwell...that's the great thing about rug hooking! One can always go back and re-do!

I finished listening to the 'Blood Covenant' bible study series. Whew! I tell you what, if I wasn't a believer before, I surely would be now! What a powerful series this is. And, what a powerful speaker Pastor Jerry is! He's so easy to listen to...and humorous, as well!

Just a note...sometimes when you click on my photos, they enlarge. Other times, they don't. Not sure what's up with that. Is it me or is it the software? hmmmm...

Have a great day!

A Day Off...

I have the day off and my laundry is almost done! YAY! So, now I am going to sit and hook! I have a great Bible Study series by Pastor Jerry that I am anxious to continue listening to (on cd's).

Here's a peek at what I will be working on...



I listed a few patterns in my eBay store and have more to list, so watch for those over the next week. I am taking a page from Kelley's book (With Hook and Needle) and getting rid of those things that I won't be able to get done within the next year. Course, there are a few patterns (like my '3collies & 1Lab' by Elizabeth Black) that I will never let out of my sight...no matter how long it takes me to get at them (let alone finish)! I have so much more than rug hooking patterns, too. See those listings here...Brown Dog Prims eBay Store

Have a great day!

Tag...You're It!!!

Hey Tag...yoohoo!!!! TAG...You Are IT!!!



OH, not THAT 'Tag...you're it', hey? hahaha!
Well, anyway...I've been tagged by Tammy of Skip To My Ewe to play the 'middle name' game. To play the game you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.


Here I go...my middle name is Marie! Not real crazy about it - probably cuz it's so common - but it does tend to get one's attention when hollered by an impatient mother...JACQUELINE MARIE!!!!

M - Mirthful...full of laughter/gaity, as shown by laughter. I think that fits me well.

A - Ambitious...I always have goals, and I do tend to reach them (eventually).

R - Resourceful...enough said. Though, I do want to add that I would have initially put 'reader', because I read almost constantly. When I'm not getting anything else done, it's probably because I am reading. But, I am mostly resourceful.

I - Independent...cuz I am. In most areas of my life, anyway.

E...Efficient...very much so.

Okay, now to 'tag' a few people. I don't know 5 bloggers, but here are the ones I do know that have not yet been 'tagged'.

Brenis of Hey Diddle Woolies

Kim at Chit Chat Room

Sunnie at Vermont Rug Hooker's Diary

Thanks, Tammy! Have fun you all!

Mom's Visit continued...

Well, the visit with Mom is over. We didn't do much today...but I did win some money beating her at cards!!!! YAY!!

Ray got here about 11:00 a.m....he carried a few things down to the basement for me...put Mom's stuff in the car and then we were off to Culver's for our favoite sundae...YUMMY!!!

Bye Mom! I love you...

It is so hot and the mosquitoes are HORRIBLE! The dogs are very happy to be back in the house with their mama (that'd be me)!

Mom's Visit continued...

Another day with me Mum. Another pleasant day with her, I might add! We didn't do too much today. Had planned to shop/tour downtown Stoughton, but it was so hot and humid that we went to Wal-Mart, instead. PLUS, there are wayyyy too many mosquitoes out...ouch!

After we spent a bit of time in there (buying nothing of interest), we headed home and each had a Dove bar...

We played cards (oops, forgot to mention yesterday that we were playing with Mom's 'Jeff Gordon' playing cards...ohhlala!) and I won quite a bit. Even more fun when one is winning!

Kim came for supper...we made pork chops and escalloped potatoes! ohmy...this has always been a favorite of mine...YUMMY! Kim absolutely loved the meal.

Mom and I played cards again and then it was bedtime. {yawn}

She leaves tomorrow after lunch...:(

Labor Day Weekend...and Mom's visit.

Yesterday, I drove over to my sister's house in Wausau (about 2+ hours from here). Her son, Tony, is home on leave from the Air Force. After breakfast today, I headed back home, bringing Mom with me to visit for a few days.



Here's what our day was like...

This is at the breakfast table in Wausau...Tony is not quite awake, though he did manage to wolf down several pieces of yummy french toast.

Ater Mom and I got here, grocery shopped, ate lunch and got unpacked, we tried to work on Sudoku puzzles. I tell you, I have a mental block where they are concerned. Cannot for the life of me do one...not even a 'very easy' puzzle! YIKES! What is the matter with me?



Then, we each had a dove bar...YUMMY!!!!



After that, we worked on some crafts. She crocheted and I hooked on my 2sheep rug.





"...You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em..." After supper, Mom and I played cribbage and a card game called 'dimes'. I beat Mom and then she beat me. Here she is...I think she should work in Las Vegas...CardShark Shirley...and one of my winning hands.



Then, we had popcorn...kettle corn, to be exact...another YUMMY!

We gabbed a lot while doing all of this...all in all, a very pleasant day!!!

Forever In My Heart...Cruiser's Photoshow

I tried so hard to get this loaded onto my blog last week, on the date that would have been Cruiser's 11th birthday. I kept getting an error message and it wasn't loading properly, so had to wait and try again (and again and again). I was so very disappointed that I wasn't able to share this photoshow at that time. However, when I tried loading it tonight, it worked, so here it is.

I put this photoshow together while in my deepest time of mourning Cruiser...and I do think that it helped with that process. I must have gone through an entire case of kleenex though, while putting everything together. Each photo brought back so many memories of my Cruiser.

The music is from Paul McCartney's "Ecce cor Meum" (translates to "Behold My Heart") album, which came out last fall. It took Paul several years to complete...I think the entire album is excellent! This particular section of his classical piece is called 'Interlude' (Lament)...written during the time that Paul was mourning the death of his wife, Linda. I must warn you, the music is very sad.

Thank you for watching/listening.

Chinese Astrology

I've wanted to check this out since I read Kim's blog (click on Kimmer's link at the right side of the page) and found out that she was the Pig in Chinese Astrology. So...here it is...or, should I say...Here I am!


The Dragon is one of the most powerful and lucky Signs of the Chinese Zodiac. Its warm heart makes the Dragon's brash, fiery energy far more palatable. This is a giving, intelligent and tenacious Sign that knows exactly what it wants and is determined to get it. Dragons possess a certain natural, charming charisma that ensures they can always influence their peers and often find themselves the center of attention in social situations. This Sign is truly blessed, too; Dragons are considered to be very lucky in love! The Dragon's friends are always keen to hear what this firebrand has to say and when it comes to dispensing advice, the Dragon has the floor.

Its ego can get in the Dragon's way, but even so, this larger-than-life creature has a knack for initiating projects and keeping the troops motivated. According to Dragons, it's their natural born right to lead the way -- because who else could do it so surely and so well? As lucky as they are, Dragons have a good chance of achieving considerable material wealth during their lifetimes, although it isn't mere money that's this Sign's main motivation. Power is what the Dragon wants and truly believes it deserves. Dragons are quite the opportunists, forever searching for ways in which to consolidate their considerable power. Contrary to all this strength and fire, a weakened Dragon is a sad sack, a creature that refuses to take defeat with even a modicum of grace.

The role of leader is the only one the Dragon wants, the better from which to give orders and be king of the hill. They make solid leaders, too, knowing instinctively what needs to be done to stay on top. Crossing the Dragon is never a good idea -- this beast can singe! A valuable life lesson for this clever creature would be to absorb the principles of flexibility, compassion and tolerance. Being high and mighty can serve to inspire others, but it also keeps Dragons from living their lives to the fullest. If Dragons can learn to balance their quest for success with an appreciation for the little things, their life will be more than worthwhile.

The most compatible match for a Dragon is the Monkey or the Rat*.

*YAY!!!! Robert Plant is a Rat in Chinese Astrology! {grin}