Hot in Texas!

Lynn and I on our 46th Wedding Anniversary

San Antonio, Tx.  July 18th

Today it is going to be HOT!  I am staying in and playing with Polymer Clay.  I forget to write on the Blog and I am going to be better about it, I hope.   This summer has just flown by for us.  We have been pretty busy with family and friends and trips and trying to catch up on the "TO DO" list.   It sees as we get a few more things done, more are added.  Lynn loves to work off of a list.   He is toooooo funny as if he does something that is not on the list, he writes it down and then crosses it off!!!!!  Whatever works to keep him busy and out of trouble.  

I am waiting on a little book in the mail that is a project for me and one of my friends, Shirley.  

Art House Project

http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

What fun this is going to be.  Wish mine would come soon.   Check it out.  Will try to post some of my pages here when I get them done.  

Here is our Buddy waiting for his 4th of July photo shoot.  He just laid down and waited until we were really ready!

He really is a ham and love to have his pictures taken.  

Another Beautiful Spring in Texas

What a beautiful spring we are having in Texas so far. We have never in all the 29 years we have been here seen the Bluebonnets so beautiful! We took a drive thru the hill country on Saturday and the fields were amazing. Indian Paint Brush of orange and some little yellow daisy type and then the beautiful white wild flowers, they just took or breath away. Hopefully on the way back to Richardson tomorrow we will get to take more pictures.

Since I have been on here last time we have remained busy with our home, family, travel and yard. Lynn has most of the garden back yard all done. He re-did the watering system, planted more shrubs and is about ready to stain our wood patio deck. Hope it dries out for a few days so we can get it done. We want to do something with the wall but can't decide what. We have been working bit by bit in our shed and garage getting rid of more stuff and putting like items together. That will make life a bit easier.

We planned on a trip to Alabama the third week of March and we got all ready to go and headed east but before we made it to Shreveport, Lynn turned the truck and trailer around and back we came. I became very sick due to an electrolyte problem and I was as sick as I have ever been. Lynn was correct to turn around. We were almost back to Richardson before I knew it. Much better now!

There was no way to go but to get better. Also, I took a spill this week from my three wheel cart when Buddy and a cat got mixed up and that little 20 pound dog can really pull you over!!! Several wounds that will heal over time but NOTHING broken!!!

We came to Austin on Saturday for Lynn to attend certification hours for being a police officer. 20 hours this year and 40 next so he can remain a Bailiff and Warrant Officer. We go back to the real world tomorrow. He is still loving working for the City and I know it gives him a break from me a few days a month!!! Hee

If you ever want to come and see the Bluebonnets in the spring, let us know so we can join you.

House Closed and We Are Not Landlords Now!

Good Morning! Our house in Mineola did close!!!!! Lynn and I were laughing as we rented the house to them for two weeks and we can say we were landlords now in a resume. Too funny. Well, I never want to be a landlord and on top of the worry about the house, you have other folks in there doing things to your house you might not want them too. Lynn and I put so much of ourselves in the house that we feel it is part of us. Part of our lives. Now it's sold, that part is gone but we had good memories there.

I guess living in a small town can be good but when you are so far from family, friends, airport, craft stores and great food, it's hard to live like you have been used to. Yes, running to the store in 3 minutes and being able to be at Wal-Mart in 4 is easy but there are some things you give up. Your privacy--it seems everyone wants to know what you are doing, where you are going and where you have been. You get to know folks a little better than maybe you really wanted to. We made some good friends there but left Mineola with a sigh of relief when it came to some. Mineola was a learning experience for Lynn and I and I hope we have grown from the experience. I have always thought friends treat you like you treat them but THAT IS NOT SO in some cases and we learned that the hard way in Mineola. We cherish our friendships and family and found that isn't always the case with some. What a learning experience we had in the small town---give me the city anytime. We missed our GOOD friends here in the Dallas area and of course it is great to be back near Jennifer and family.

Life is just to short for all the drama in a small town for us. Pettiness thrives in the small town. It seems in the city the little things go by the wayside and that is really good for my personality.

Another chapter, another learning experience gone past. Looking forward to the next few years here in the Dallas area.

More soon.

February Hello!

Today is strange for me. I feel good and my house is in order, the sun is shinning and all is good. Maybe it's because we are to close on our Mineola house tomorrow. Due to a few problems on their part, we have had to wait a month after expected closing but we did rent it to them for two weeks. I sure do hope they enjoy the home as much as we did. It was a work of love and I think they will improve it even more with putting in new windows! There are 21 windows 7 are 4' x 6' each. I am sure the windows will be very expensive but I hope it will improve the home even more. We did love that house but we really love being here in Dallas area. This home is so right for us. Looking forward to spring and our garden yard. I will miss the 7 Dogwood trees we had out there but maybe we will try one here this spring. Not sure the soil is right?

Well, off to play with my Cricut! More soon.

Starting the Year Off Right

Molly, the Cat

Painted this in 2004, boy, that seems along time ago!

It's January and we have been planning out next year, well, sort of, as it is hard to make a plan when you have so much time to play with. We started out right with cleaning out the pantry, fridge, kitchen cupboards but got off track somehow. Yes, it is easy when you are doing things you don't enjoy. I have done some more in my studio but NOT enough!

Last Monday it was in the 70's here after a week of bitter cold for North Texas so we decided to go out to the lake and bring in the trailer to the Mineola house, clean it up and find a spot for it when the house sells. Took some work as we had built a deck between the other deck and behind the trailer and when we did, we didn't think about pulling out. Well, Lynn tore out the middle deck, salvaged the steps and off we went with our little home on wheels. Thursday we went back out and Lynn power washed the trailer. It really needed it as the front side had black all over it. We did enjoy it out at the lake but felt we didn't use it enough for the expense and we want to go to Alabama in March so really decided to have it more accessible when we want to go.

We will miss the view!

Our Little Fun Finder

Well, listed some items on Craig's List and Ebay today and need to take more pictures for Ebay listings so better get going. I think Lynn is napping with Buddy---good thing to do on a rainy Sat. afternoon.

Happy New Year! 2010

Here is Buddy Joe in his Cowboy Outfit!

He really does watch the game with us and wants them to WIN in the playoffs!

Happy New Year, 2010

We had a white Christmas this year and that was fun! Weather here has been very cold for Texas but I think we might be coming out of it this week. Lynn and I don't like the cold and stay in as much as possible when it is like this. Very fortunate to be able to do it and not have to brave the weather.

Started this year off with a bang! Organized all our kitchen cupboards, front hall cupboard, walk-in pantry and it feels GOOD! Now for our master closet and all those clothes we don't wear anymore! When one is retired, it seems that clothing is just not the same. We seem to enjoy the same "comfort" clothes and the good stuff just stays in the closet. Well, we think we might like to get rid of some of the baggage so one of these next few days, it will happen.

Lynn is working up to his annual tax receipt day or days. In Texas you can deduct you sales tax from your income tax so he keep every receipt and at the beginning of the year, sits down and collects all the sales tax off the paperwork. Now I mean receipts with even a few cents! It takes him time but I guess he feels he wants to do it sooooo it does save us on taxes! On year, about $800. I guess it is worth it!

We are looking forward to Spring and working in our back yard. It won't be as hard this year as most of the plants are there. Now we can decided if they need to be moved or what else we want. More evergreen shrubs and some color.

We have decided to leave the lake. It was fun but we didn't go out there often enough to spend the money. We also want to travel a bit more this year and with it there, it is somewhat "set" and not as available. Hope to head to Florida or Alabama in March or April. We will have these memories and hopefully will find another good place to park it a bit closed to home. We might try our back drive but Richardson some some tight rules about things like that!!!

Check back to see what I am up to with my new toys! More soon.

Happy Fall!

We are enjoying the fall weather here in Texas. Now, not to say the rain has been heavy and is getting old but the lakes are full and the plants are green. This is something we don't see much in the Dallas area in the fall. We did see some turning leaves this week so maybe fall will show up soon.



We did sell our scooters and hated to see them go but we felt that we had enjoyed them in the "country" but the city was not the best place to have them. Lynn is on a quest to own no extra motors!!! I guess the Mercedes it next to go. Well, we hope.



We want to wish everyone a happy and healthy fall and hope you are all looking forward to Thanksgiving. I know we are---turkey, yum! This year has passed so quickly for Lynn and me and I need my time to slow a bit so think maybe staying home and concentrating on painting and cardmaking along with polymer clay will fill my winter. It is so hard to have so many interests!



Remember, if you are coming this way---please let us know. We would love to see you!




View from our patio at the lake.

Lynn's Little Baby

Brought this into Dallas yesterday from our home in Mineola. Lynn has had it in storage.

His little baby---he wants to sell it but after driving it in, he has second thoughts! Boys and their toys. It has a hard top, too and almost mint. Rides and drives like a jewel. All original. He has been saying he wants everything to go that has a motor! Sold the Yamaha Zuma last week and working on the one he bought for me. We both decided we have survived a year + without a wreck or near wreck and probably we need to make sure we stay healthy so we can enjoy out next few years. Good move, don't you think? They really were fun in Mineola but Dallas,well, that is a different story. Three cars, two trailers, one scooter----lots of insurance and only two people.

Been very cool here the last few days and really feeling like fall! Rain, Rain! We have had a strange thing happen to us. Hole in roof, almost a perfect circle and directly thru a shingle. Nice leak in the dining room but we have it fixed. I heard a terrible crack noise last week or maybe two and could not figure what it was. Well, must have been something that fell from the sky---no trees around at all, no storms and went thru the roof and pretty thick sheeting. Hard to get to place to check to see what it was but either a plane dropped something or from the heavens. Sure glad it didn't hit me!!!!!

Our Class reunion was super. Will have much more to put up in a few days but I am leaving for a workshop Thurs in Albuquerque for four days so will be busy getting ready this week. Things are slowing down just in time to speed up for the Holidays!!!

Heavy Heart Today A Flower for Sandi Wheeler

A Lily for Sandi

Sandi Wheeler, a good friend of mine passed away this week after a very short illness.

I am very saddened by this news as Sandi and I have been friends for 28 years. I met her when I had my quilt shop in Plano and we just gravitated to each other as we were both from Iowa. We shared many places of interest there and it was such fun to write and talk about "back home" with each other. We were planning on a get together this month----we were going to trade out some art and talents. Sandi’s talents were 100 fold! Her dolls, her quilting, sculpting, garment design and just anything she saw that interested her was in the back of her mind to try sometime. She was always thinking of something she could do with things she had and put her own stamp on it.

I met her at Joann’s a few weeks ago so she could show me a couple of things she had ready to take to her guild meeting and Lynn was with me so he got to see them, too. She was so excited about them and that says it all about Sandy, she always made you feel excited about your projects. Sandi inspired me and so many of her friends. Her energy was catching and after being with her I always came back home ready to start something new. I guess if someone ask me a word to describe Sandi, it would be "inspire". That is what she did for her friends. Oh, and you would always think of Sandi and the smile on her sweet face.

We had our "white" hair in common too, and we talked off and on about it, laughing about how people perceive folks with white hair. I am just sick that I did not have a chance to say goodbye but I know that is the way she wanted it---no fuss and no long illness.

Hopefully we all will have a chance to see her work someday soon…I know she could fill a gallery with her art…

Goodbye, Sandi, you will be missed!

Polymer Basket I Made for July 4 1997

I can remember this like it was yesterday! I wove the basket, made the flag cane and put it together just it time for the 4th. Need to go and look it up so I can put it on again this year. Always have loved the flag, stars and baskets so looks like they all came together here in Polymer Clay Pin.

Happy 2009 Forth of July!

He Really Loves the Lake

Lynn watching the water at Lake Fork!

It was too hot last weekend to really enjoy the day but early morning was great. There was a $5000 Fishing Tournament going on at our resort so lots of fabo boats were out. It is a huge lake. Will enjoy it more when it isn't 103 degrees!

Skype

What fun it is to talk to a friend in Tenn. and see her, too. Skype will bring me closer to many friends, I am sure. Shirley took me on a tour of her home as we have not been there yet and what fun it was. My battery on my laptop was low but will do it later today or tomorrow. Amazing. What a great program to have if you are grandparents and was to see your kids! Love it, Love it.

Lynn is working the rest of the week so I have some "me" time and really do need to get busy and make some cards and organize. One day it will all be done.

Put up and new background and I am thinking about the 4th! Need to think about a costume for Buddy!

Come back soon as much more to follow. Marty

IT'S BEEN AWHILE!

WHIRL WIND OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS!

Potting Bench he built for me.

We seem to move thru the weeks and don't know how we did it but we are getting some more things done. Our goal of the grassless back yard is almost complete. YEA! Lynn has worked so hard to get it all finished along with building me a potting bench, two small fences, laying edging bricks along the path and planting everything you see. After he removed all the glass with a sod cutter (yea, that's a fun experience) he had a blank canvas. He is amazing! I can't help him like I used to but he gets it done and very well!!!! What a guy he is putting up with all my suggestions. We took up 550 bricks that were on the patio and built a very large wood deck which is yet to be stained. Maybe NEXT week---which seems to be words spoken often around here.

This little two story storage shed/Playhouse had an RV door on it so Lynn built a shutter
like he built for the rest of the house only larger and covered the door. Also painted the fence on the balcony that had never been painted! More work that it looks like. Mike Wigg gave us some planters that hook over rail so we put them up there and now we only have to lay stone under the balcony. MAYBE NEXT WEEK? Kinda have a birdhouse theme with stars going on.



We have two fountains to install and get electric to, 30 bags of mulch to lay down and soaker hoses to run so we still have lots to do. The yard is quite a bit bigger than it looks in the picture but as you can see NO GRASS. He laughed the other day when he said it isn't mowing every week but he is watering everyday! Working on that with a soaker hose timer.

Hope You Had A Wonderful Easter 2009

Buddy is ready to hand out eggs! Do you think they will know I am a DOG?

Spring Is In The Air in Texas

One of my shots of a bouquet Lynn bought me last year and it makes a wonderful screen saver this time of year.

Well, the patio is built and two rockers are on it as I write. Sat out there for a bit tonight. Going to be fun and still a bunch of work as we have to stain it and build a potting table add the outdoor fireplace we found for it and lots of plants and vines! We are thrilled. Will post some pictures tomorrow here.

Have a great week!!!