Welcome to RamblingRae

A journal of the things I have made for charity



Double click on pictures for close ups

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Hiatus

I think I have bitten off more that I can chew so will not be posting on this site indefinitely...thanks to all who have checked on me. I will continue with "Changes in the Wind" so hope to see you there...................

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Happy Birthday Mom

Today would have been my Mom's 90th birthday. I still miss her:)
It always surprises me to hear someone say they weren't close to their Mom. No one has ever had the impact on my life like she did............Thanks Mom for all you did for me.

Friday, March 28, 2008

It's spring

I think my favorite part of spring is being able to open the doors and hear the birds. I am not much of a gardener and here in Arizona many things stay green all year but it is a rare pleasure to be able to open up the doors not needing heat or air conditioning...it just doesn't last long enough:)

Monday, March 24, 2008

Didn't miss it

I find that while I was away on my trip I didn't miss blogging and in fact felt a bit overwhelmed to come back and try to catch up on it all. I am wondering if for people who post only once in while they feel this way when they come to a blog like mine where I have tried to post every day.
Am thinking I may make some changes........................................

Thursday, March 13, 2008

It's a date

I am going to the movies with my daughter today...we are going to see Bonneiville:) My daughter works so this is a special treat. I am so blessed to have her in my life:)

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Better and better

Well, I must say that I am surprised but I am liking these fake nails better and better. Can't explain why it makes me feel so dressed up but even if I am in my worst jeans....I smile:) Hope you find something that makes you smile too---------------------------------

Monday, March 10, 2008

Slacker

I realized I haven't posted here in a while...guess I am becoming a regular slacker. I am not sure why I started this blog other than I thought maybe I would just ramble a bit. I go this week to get the permanent crown and boy am I glad...this temporary one is about the ugliest thing I have ever seen and I sure don't need any help to not look attractive!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Pack Rat wins again

I changed the bedspread in our bedroom and put up blinds instead of the curtain thing I had before but now I needed to make the matching valances......................hunted in the storage room and low and behold I found the wooden brackets that was used before....right size and everything. Guess sometimes it isn't a bad thing to be a saver.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Tooth

Well now I went and done it...I flossed and popped my temporary crown out..stuck in back in but have a feeling it is going to start hurting and my hubby and I are going out of town for the week-end. Better remember to bring the aspirins.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

On a roll

Can't believe it...Yesterday I found the place to do my nails and today I found a place to get a massage with a great deal to boot! It's called Massage Envy and with a year commitment you get an hour massage for $39.00. The girl I had did a great job and I am tickled pink....Now if that isn't getting pampered I don't know what is.............

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Birthday

Today is my grandson's 17th birthday. Sadly he is spending it in a detention center.....I am hoping that he will finally learn the lessons he needs to learn to become a responsible adult and maybe by the time he is 18 he will have made a better path for himself.
Was remembering how hard my daughter had to push to get him here and strangely it is just as hard on her today but in a different way. I know I am not alone and I am not whining...it is just how it is right now.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Overload

I swear my timing sometimes just stinks.......I made the bright decision to do the behind the scenes series the same day as when I post for Nostalgia and it normally is my wash day too! Do you sometimes get yourself in these kind of pickles?

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Sewing

Guess I am going to get serious about this red hat business...I ordered 10 yards of purple fabric yesterday. I hope it doesn't sit in the cupboard like some of the other pieces of fabric I have and I actually get some things made. Use to sew a lot, in fact sewed almost all my clothes with the exception of bra and panties. Do you know that there aren't even many fabric stores around any longer....had to go online to find the material I wanted.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Happy Day

One of the reasons I decided to get rid of a bunch of stuff is so that I could make a little more room in my (doll room) and put my treadmill in there rather than in the closet where I had it set up...just got tired of looking at the wall................Moved it into the doll room and it is great!!! Doesn't look bad and can see out the window...Maybe I will even walk more and longer:):)

Friday, February 22, 2008

Stuff

I had this bright idea that I needed to get rid of a bunch of stuff so I have been gathering up stuff since Christmas......I made an appointment with Salvation Army (via computer) to come and pick it up so now I have this huge pile of stuff out in the front yard and don't know which has me more nervous...them not showing up or the illegals taking it before they come!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Shopping

I can't believe it.....me, who hates shopping....I went to a special Red Hatters store yesterday and bought some stuff and amazingly....I had fun. I am getting all kinds of visions and ideas of outfits to create from my little treasures. Maybe I just haven't been shopping for the right things all these years...hmmmm purple and red, maybe they are addictive LOL

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The back side of Valentines Day



Love getting them but hate it when they die. I try so hard to keep them going by cutting the ends everyday and changing the water but eventually they just give out.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Its a go

I went on the outing with the red hatters and decided to go ahead and join. Although the day was a little hard on me I think when I get to know everyone it will be great fun. The tour of the stadium was very interesting and lunch went fine. My problem is wearing a hat....gives me a headache. The gals were welcoming and tried hard to include me so think all in all it will be good. Starting is the hardest part and each chapter has different flavors so you need to check it all but if you are thinking of trying it....go for it:)

Friday, February 15, 2008

A new adventure

Today I am going to join a group of women from the Red Hat Society for one of their outings as a little trial run to see if I would like to join their chapter. Maybe you know about this group already...they are women who are 50 years and over who gather together for the purpose of simply having fun. They wear purple and red and come in all shapes and sizes:) I am not thrilled with the dressing up stuff but do like the idea of meeting other women in my age bracket without it being affiliated with another organization like shooting, church and etc. Today we are going to tour the stadium where the super bowl was held and then go to lunch at a nearby resturant:)

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Dread

I have to go to the dentist today and have a crown done on one of my front teeth :(
I hate to go to the dentist...........I get gas and everything and I still hate it.
Don't know how I ever got through childbirth but going to the dentist is like getting a beating and paying big bucks for it. Need to think positive....need to think positive.....need to think positive........Well, I won't have to have this tooth filled again:) Be glad when it is over.........

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Giveaway

I have been looking a the One World Heart giveaway.....there are so many people with different perspectivies of art and gifts. Very interesting, I must say. Although it seems that most who have participated are people who sell their art as well, there are some very pretty and different things so if you have time to spare go check out some of the sites listed. You don't have to be giving something away to sign up to win if you see something you really like but do it before Feb. 14th!

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Dog washing

Yesterday I gave the dogs a bath....don't know why I put if off so long. They really are easy to do and they are so silky afterward!

Friday, February 8, 2008

What to say

My hubby and I were invited over to some friends and he is slowly dying of bone cancer. He continues to smile and try but what do you say? You wouldn't wish this on your worse enemy much less a friend and what's more we don't get to choose so who knows...you or I could be next. True, this isn't exactly an uplifting post but then sometimes life is just hard.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Pimples?

Here I am pushing 60 and low and behold I have a pimple! It is not just your ordinary little pimple...oh no, it is a big, ugly, angry, sore thing and it is on my back! Now go figure......good thing I have a hubby to come to the rescue because I sure can't reach it. I guess this is a Forest Gump "Life is like a box of chocolates" moment...LOL

Monday, February 4, 2008

Football

I am not a football fan but since the Super Bowl was in my back yard, my hubby and I made an effort to watch the game. It was GREAT!! We were rooting for the NYG because they were the underdogs. My hubby played football in High School so he kepted me in the know of the why, how come, and the now what's. It really was an enjoyable night pop corn and all.....hmmmmm am I going to become a football fan????????

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Expectations

I met with my cousin who no one knew existed yesterday. My uncle got a girl pregnant and never knew it....it is so sad because he never got over the break up with the girl and lived a very lonely life, only to kill himself when he was old, alone and sick. This cousin wanted to met me so of course I did but I had this feeling she was expecting something from me. She was kind and gracious and never ask for anything but there was this underlying feeling. Don't you wish you had a magic wand and could just fix everything.....poof, all better. Guess I would make a pretty silly looking fairy....grey haired and chunky but if the wand worked............no one would care:)

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Girlfriends

I find myself without many "girlfriends". Even when I was younger I was so busy and committed to taking care of home and family that I did not pursue girlfriends......
I know some women who think nothing of going off with a girlfriend to go do some fun thing....how about you?

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Cleaning out

My email account has condensenesed my delelted files several times over and many of my saved files were outdated so today was clean out day....now you just watch.......something is going to pop up and I will need one of those things I threw away! Isn't that how it always is.....

Monday, January 28, 2008

Don't you hate it when he is right

I am terrible about not taking my medicines....fortunately they are not vital for my life but more for my womanly things:) Well, anyhow I decided that since I missed taking them so often and didn't see any real changes I just didn't need them anymore and quit taking them.



Well, the hot flashes returned in full force and my mood swings were playing havoc with me and I am thinking why?????

My husband lovingly said....maybe you need to go back on you medicines?




Feeling Better..................

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Oh no.....a leak

Well, as most of you know it doesn't rain in the desert of Arizona very often and wouldn't you know that since we are having a bunch of rain we have developed a leak in our roof. We have a tile roof but around the refrigeration units it is shingled and for some reason we have had some problems in those areas......and what is that saying......"into every life some rain may fall".

Saturday, January 26, 2008

A idea

While at the High Noon show this weekend I happened to watch a lady setting up a display of copper and gold bracelets....she had a flat bowl and had put some sort of black beans all in the bottom and then stood the bracelets up in the beans....stunning. Well I came home and thought.....I have this very unusual shaped wooden bowl with potpourri in it and I could change it up with the black seeds and the new gold specked candle I just bought:). Never know what you might learn next if you just keep your eyes open.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Then and Now

All my life I have been small and petite, well that is until now......Now, I am just short and wide. For the most part I am okay with it but when there is special things that come up that I need to dress for I find that I dread going. Anyone else have these issues?

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Satisfaction

The new pillows are done and I like them a lot. It is always a wonder to me how sometimes things can just all fall together. The fabric on the pillows matches the rug I already have in there better and an old milk can with greenery on top that I have in another room will be a great accent in here now. I found a perfect color of paint that matches the darker part of the pillow and am going to paint the back wall in that. Just need to move a few things around here and there and poof........feels like a new place. Maybe that would be a perk up for you too...just move something:)

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Red Hat Society

I am considering trying to join a chapter in the Red Hat Society....No I don't like the outfits but I would like to have an opportunity to make some friends. I have always been satisfied to stay home and take care of business but of late that hasn't' seem to satisfy me. Anyone have any experience with this group? Your thoughts?

Monday, January 21, 2008

Life's twist and turns

My late Uncle apparently got a girlfriend pregnant and never knew it. The girls parents whisked her off to another town and she had the baby. Well, that baby has now contacted me along with her daughters. I will be meeting her a week from Fri. What do you say? I feel so bad for her and for my Uncle, they both got cheated. When this first took place I became very offensive, I guess I was afraid they were trying to steal some kind of identity or something. Now, I see they aren't and just trying to make some kind of contact with that unknown side of the family.
Oh what webs we weave.............................................................

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Talking to myself

Does anyone else talk to yourself? Out loud? I guess that is a goofy question but I think I would like to know.....come on now, be honest:)

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Contemplation

Blogger New York City Daily Photo posed the question of what would you do with a million dollars. As I studied on it, I was again reminded that the answer to that question would depend on whether I had my mate or not. If it gained a million dollars as things are now I would buy a cabin up north and a motor-home to cover anything between BUT if I was alone I would not want those things at all. Rather that wonderful high-rise in New York City close to or a nice place in a retirement facility with lots of activities would be more to my liking.
Have you ever thought about it? How even your dreams would change if your circumstances changed.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Lucky find

I have been contemplating getting new family room furniture but the truth is I still like what I have. So, I thought maybe I would go to the store and see about buying some fabric for the throw pillows and just give it a little freshened up look. Well, I looked and looked and picked up a few swatches but nothing really stood out to me. I even picked a swatch that I thought might match well but I was sure I wouldn't like it.........well, you guessed it, I love it! Now if I can just get it bought and made we will make this old set go a few more miles:)

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Getting older

No one likes the idea of getting older and I am no different, however, I recently read some statistics that stated centuries ago no one lived past 40 years old!
That from 1917 - 1919, 20 million people died from the world wide influenza epidemic. Even my Aunt died as a baby from pneumonia in 1917. There was no cure for these diseases. It went on to state that today one person in 10,000 is pasting the century mark and that the number is rising. Can you even imagine your life expectancy to be only 40 years old?????????? No retirement, no dreams, no travel, no blogging.....................................................
Guess getting old isn't so bad after all.....now just to convince the mirror about these statics:)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Fighting

It ceases to amaze me that even after 45 years of marriage my hubby and I can manage to have ourselves a fight! I use to tease him that we always fought over the same thing and it always turned out the same so we should just tape it and save ourselves the effort.
Anyone is the same boat?

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Stanley steamer

Well, today I got my family room carpet cleaned for the last time for awhile. I have had a contract with Stanley Steamer for several years to come and do that room because of my two babies but I am going to get new carpet so hopefully it won't need to be cleaned for awhile. I also had them clean the tile in the master bath and it looks really good!! Just hate the part about having to move everything and then move it all back after it dries....hmmmm can you believe I am grumbling, I could have to clean it myself on my hands and knees, heavens knows I have done that more than once:)

Monday, January 14, 2008

New shoes


This video is hilarious! A real boost for shoe shopping:):)

Sunday, January 13, 2008

New shoes

Thursday night my daughter took me to see the "Menapause Musical"
It was fun but a little rank in a few places....anyhow, I wore a pair of old boots so that I would look dressier and acquired the biggest blister on my heel you can imagine so, yesterday, I went and bought three new pairs of shoes! Now how is that at getting even..........
If you remember, I am the one that doesn't like to shop but get me mad enough and I will do it:)

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Puppy Blues

I am not sure if that is the right word but you know how some women get such a yearning to have a baby again? Well, I get that way with puppies. There just isn't anything like a puppy to brighten your life. I have been following one of our fellow bloggers, My Piece of Heaven with her new puppy Cooper. She has fallen in love for sure and who wouldn't. How I wish we could capture that kind of innocent, trusting, curiosity found in a puppy and put it in ourselves somehow so that when we are in others presence we would bring joy instead of the know it all, not get the best of me attitude that is so prevalent.
Yes, Yes, I know that even puppies grow up and bite

Friday, January 11, 2008

Book review

Today I received the most awesome review for my book at Fool's Rush In
What an encouragement:) If you have not really noticed I have a link to my book "Buckskin Bessie - Her Lost Letters". What you indeed do not know is that I was destined to write and publish this book; it has been a labor of love.
There is so much story of how the book came about and the process of it that I think I may begin a behind the scenes series just to tell it. The best part of doing that compared to writing and publishing the book is that I can add my own feelings because it would be just that...my experience and my feelings, where as when writing the book everything had to be documented.
No, I won't be solving all the mysteries found in the book because I don't know the answers but I will give you a up close and personal view of the people I met and dealt with. Haven't decided which blog to do this on but more to come..................................

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Books

I love books.....cookbooks, craft books, devotional books, sewing books, decorating books, travel books, exercise books, novels, biographies, documentary kind of books and on and on and on...................................
I have recently been trying to purge some of them and oh boy. The cookbooks have been the easiest because I have copied the recipes that interested me and put them in organized folders before tossing it but many of the others I am not having a lot of success with.
Like this book for example, they say if you haven't used something in over a year you should get rid of it but this isn't a book you would read often but it is wonderful to look through on a rainy day:)

I have already added an extra book case in a closet!!!
It reminds me how much I have learned from books and how limited you would be if you couldn't read. I considered doing some volunteer work to help people learn to read but never followed through with it. When I was young I didn't read at all....go figure.
How about you...are you a reader? What do you like to read?

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Little changes...huge results

I mentioned in an earlier post that I wanted to update my home so I replaced some curtains in my living room.....huge difference:) I am so encouraged that such a small thing could be such a plus. It effected the lighting and the overall feel of the room. I tell you this so that if you need a change...try some little curtains:)

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Traditions

My daughter loves traditions, so much so that if you do something she especially likes she will immediately declare it a tradition:):) Maybe two years ago or so...her Dad took her to a nice restaurant for lunch when all the Christmas craziness was over and it was his little gift to her. Well, it has become a TRADITION so today is their day. I am glad really as her Dad is like a lot of men....few words.....so today she gets to have those few just for herself:)

Monday, January 7, 2008

Every step counts

While reading this morning, I read this phrase "Every step counts". This sets my mind racing....all the situations that this could apply to:
The recent surge to use a pedometer for the purpose of walking more each day and can't you see someone thinking.......just a few more steps and I will make my goal.
Imagine trying to use a recipe and not follow each step that has been given.
The student that tries to take a class without meeting the requirements.The ill person wanting to get well but not following the doctors orders.Even getting older has required steps but what it really says is that EVERY step is important, no matter where we are in our lives.

May we each be encouraged to take........One step at a time

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Hot tub

My hubby is taking a Jacuzzi this morning and it reminds me of my favorite Jacuzzi time ever.......
We were in New Hampshire and the Jacuzzi was located outside the hotel on a deck...we hurried out and jumped into the hot water and snuggled down as far as we could because it was COLD outside. As we sat there it began to snow. I have a pug nose and the snow would build up on my nose!! It was such fun and didn't we feel like we were beating the odds by being warm in the cold and snow!
Our Jacuzzi here at home is inside and easier to maintain but I don't think it is as much fun................................Got a Jacuzzi story of your own?

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Last night after the movie my hubby and I were headed to one of our favorite eating places and came upon a car accident. Now living in this big city it shouldn't be that unusual but since I am a stay at home person I don't experience it a lot. It always upsets me and I find myself wondering if the people are okay and what really happened and etc. even days later. Don't know if this means I am caring person or just nosey. It is hard to imagine...you are just going to the store or whatever and bang....everything is different. Makes me feel vulnerable I guess. You try to be careful but it isn't always what you do but what the other guy does (this was a rear ender).
Sometimes I get angry when I watch people drive and they are wheeling these thousand pound objects around like they don't hurt if they hit you. Does this effect anyone else or am I the only pansy here.

Friday, January 4, 2008

I Braved it....went out and looked at some furniture yesterday. Whew, survived the salesmen and looked a little but nothing jumped out at me and believe me that is what is going to have to happen. It was interesting that one of the stores stressed how I can pick something and then have it made up any way I want...fabric, studs or no studs etc. The problem is I don't know what I want until I see it. Fortunately, I am in no hurry


I am curious as to how people feel about the frequency of blogging. I was told that it was important to try to blog everyday so people would have a reason to visit your blog.
It seems though that if people aren't visiting blogs everyday and then go to one that is, they feel overwhelmed with all the posts and just don't comment on any of it.
So what do you think.............Is it better to blog less often or more often????

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Computer

I got my first computer probably 22 years ago for a Valentine's gift. I didn't have any idea why I wanted one other than it seemed to be the thing to do and I felt I should learn about it. I can remember being so scared I was going to blow it up! What a huge accomplishment to create a Christmas card data base...........
I have never taken any classes for the computer but thought I should take one to learn how to do online. I signed up at a local community college for a class and after two classes dropped it and got my money back; I signed up on AOL and have never looked back.
I use the computer for a multitude of things....paying bills, taking care of our business, corresponding, researching, arranging our travels, shopping, storing photo's, learning karaoke songs.......... I tell you , I would be so lost without it!!
How about you? What is you computer story?

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Never enough

I have lived in my home (a very nice home) for over 15 years. It is a custom built home that we built ourselves when we had our construction company. So what's the problem?????
I am bored with it. That is shameful but it is honest. It is at that place where it is becoming outdated...you know light counter tops instead of granite, light tile and etc. I sit and debate if I should spend the time, energy and money to make the changes. This is an area that I really procrastinate in. Unlike a lot of women, I really don't like to shop and especially for big things like furniture, carpet and etc. A great dream would be to leave on a trip, come home and it all be done and I love it.......ahhhhhh.
I remember the day we moved into this house....I was sure I would never tire or it and here I am.........It is never enough, you are never done.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

A new year....Most people make resolutions for the New Year. I tend to look back and see what it really held. Most of the time it is never what I thought it would be and for this past year that has been a good thing. I have done several things I did not even consider doing.

The first was taking a trip to Portugal....An Island named Madeira really. It was a fantastic trip and loved the friendliness of the people as well as the scenery. Was amazed that most people could not only speak English but German, French and etc. Was told it was mandatory to learn English in their school system. We here in the U.S. can't even figure out if English should be our main language !@#^^(*&%
The other thing I did was go to a 11 week Citizens Police Academy. Can't tell you how much I enjoyed that. Check and see if one if offered where you live...many police dept. are now offering them and it is really educational/exciting. I went on a ride a-long the night before my 59th birthday and had lots of action including a red light chase. Experienced a 180 on a driving range as well as hydroplaning, saw the k9 unit in action and the swat team uniform that weighed 40 lbs and had to be put on with help. I could go on and on but it is something I just happened to see online and went for and was definitely a highlight. I not only learned a lot but found a new appreciation for my local police dept. and now am volunteering with them (more on that a later date).

The last but not least is starting to blog........a whole other world. What a wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from such a huge data base. Do sometimes wish that it was a different word than blog........sure doesn't sound very smart Sorry, I do still love pictures.....................Anyone know why it is called blogging?