Pictures from Graduation

Well - Yesterday was a beautiful day for Graduation. It wasn't to hot and the sun was shining :) Now if only the ceremonies could be shorter! There were 93 grads, so 2.5 hours later we were done. I managed to take a few photos in between, will have to wait for my sister-in-law to email me a few more, but here's a sampling of our day:

Waiting for diplomas:

Looking spiffy :)

Logan and Luke:

All of us:

Logan with some of his friends, yes one of them is wearing a kilt, no he's not Scottish.

There must be quite a few boys missing, but here's the majority of them.

We are very happy the last child is done! :) Well - high school that is. Logan is looking for a job as a Diesel Mechanic Apprentice. He took Diesel Mechanic's as a Vocational course, so he has a good start. Here's hoping/praying that he finds a job soon.

Taking the Day off for Graduation!

Our youngest is graduating from High School tomorrow (Tuesday) - so I am taking the day off from posting. Here is Logan trying on the hat and gown (don't tell him I posted the photos!)
He will be shaving for the ceremonies tomorrow :)

Such a goof that one :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!!

Meet Me Monday

Java over at Never Growing Old started this great "meet me monday" meme! I love getting to know different bloggers, but you don't want to start asking a bunch of questions - so Java is doing it for us :) Please join!!


Here are this weeks questions and answers:

1. Are you a collector of anything?
I absolutely LOVE snowmen and have piles of them!! Used to leave them up all year, but the "men" started complaining, so I couldn't even take a picture, as they are all boxed up for now.
I also collect handmade lotions and soaps! The Bathroom smells nice :) My favorite soap shop is Bovine Bubbles & Hogwash!!


2. Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
I have pierced ears, but have to wear 14k gold earrings, so only have hoops in most of the time.

3. What is your favorite salad dressing?
Creamy Poppy Seed! YUM!!

4. What was the last thing that you ate?
A few Pringles Chips.

5. What was the last movie that you saw?
The Blind Side. Amazing movie!! Really a must see.

Funny Quotes and Thoughts

A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.
-- Eleanor Roosevelt

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.
-- Erica Jong

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
-- Gandhi

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.
-- Margaret Mead

Beauty isn't worth thinking about; what's important is your mind. You don't want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head.
-- Garrison Keillor

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.
-- Oscar Wilde

Having a baby changes the way you view your in-laws. I love it when they come to visit now. They can hold the baby and I can go out.
-- Matthew Broderick

He who laughs last probably didn't get the joke.
-- Author Unknown

He who laughs, lasts.
-- Mary Pettibone Poole

I am nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore I am perfect.
-- Author Unknown

I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.
-- Author Unknown

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.
-- Groucho Marx

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
-- Author Unknown

If you rest, you rust.
-- Helen Hayes

One of the keys to happiness is a bad memory.
-- Rita Mae Brown

Reason to smile: Every seven minutes of every day someone in an aerobics class pulls a hamstring.
-- Author Unknown

The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing.
-- German Proverb

We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing.
-- George Bernard Shaw

Friday Follow 40 and Over!

I featured the blog Never Growing Old on Monday. Java has a wonderful blog, and has asked me to co-host Friday Follow this week! I love the thought of checking out all these amazing blogs produced by women my age :) Make sure to let each blog know if you follow them so they can follow back!

<a border="0" href="http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/2010/06/follow-friday-40-and-over_25.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="no pics" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/linder4/over40pic3-2.jpg" /></a><br />

The RULES to join in are very simple!

1. Grab the button
2. Add your link to the list
3. Visit as many other blogs as you can
4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)

NOTE: PLEASE leave your blog address when you leave a comment!! There have been several people wanting to follow back but the blogger can't always be found through the google info page!!

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

While you are blog hopping, make sure you check out the Over 40 Blogger List!! Be sure to join if you haven't already!



Here are some other Friday Follows happening:

Featuring - Sly

My husband hates ties! I'm not sure there is a man alive who really does like to wear them. Well, Sandra has some wonderful items that uses all those annoying ties no one wants :)

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
When I was young, my dad was in the military, which meant we moved around a lot. My two sisters and I were constantly exposed to new places and new people. My parents are both very supportive of creativity; they have always encouraged their daughters' individuality and nurtured our artistic sparks.

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
I have my awesome husband to thank for my shop name. The Sly Raccoon is one of the various nicknames he has given me throughout our friendship. My monogram spells SLY, and I'm afraid the Raccoon refers to my OCD tendencies and my insufferable attraction to shiny objects and bright, funky fabrics. Thus, I am The Sly Raccoon. I fully embraced the persona of The Sly Raccoon as a means of meditation and release from the hectic day-to-day. When my hands are busy creating, my mind is at ease.

*What got you started in recycling?
"Why recycle?": There is something really inspiring about taking a discarded, unused object and recreating it into an entirely new item. Second chances are hard to come by in this world, The Sly Raccoon is all about rebirth. I love the challenge of scavenging for items awaiting their second chance.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I've always been a thrift store fiend, and if there's a yard sale sign along the road, I've just got to pull over. My husband and I try to maintain a simple lifestyle - we try to buy used items when we can, and we try not to get sucked into the whirlwind commercial society surrounding us. Creating handmade items from recycled materials is my contribution to a world more like the one I think to be ideal.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
A major addiction in my life is vintage fabric. I can't pass up the chance to snoop through a yard sale or an estate sale in search of materials, and when I go to the thrift store for one or two items, I leave with my arms loaded with vintage linens.

*What motivates or inspires you to create?
The Sly Raccoon is a project inspired by the desire for a more handmade world. Sometimes the mass-produced world surrounding us becomes a little overwhelming for me. Through creating one-of-a-kind items, I bring the world a little closer to the place I'd like to live.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
I'm not sure that I have a favorite item in my shop. Lately, though, I've been really enjoying the Necktie Billfolds. It's a lot of fun to scavenge for funky old ties and morph them into snazzy wallets.

*Are there other places on the net we can find you?
The Sly Raccoon has a blog: Tales of a Crafty Scavenger, which can be found at www.slyraccoon.blogspot.com

*What is your favorite shop that uses recycled materials, and/or your favorite blog about recycling?
A blog that I adore is rikrak studio at www.rikrakstudio.blogspot.com where you can find all kinds of fun giveaways and features with an eco-friendly emphasis.

One of my favorite Etsy shops is The Little Prints - it's a shop filled with fantastic treasures made from vintage and upcycled materials. Check out her headbands - they're the greatest!

WWW - Friends

Teaser Tuesday - A true story

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser for this week:
"Finally, after five hours, the surgeon came to speak to us. We did not have to go into the "special room." Hanna had done well and I will never forget my first vision of her after her surgery. She made it! She looks great! Thank you, God!"
Page 27, Living with Rain Girl

This book is written by a Mother in the community I live in. It's about their struggles and joys with raising their autistic child. The quote I have above happened one week before Hannah (the little girl) had her second birthday.

It didn't take long to read the book :) Partially because I know the family (I'm Hannah's school bus driver), but mostly because it's an easy, though "teary" read. For those of as that are blessed with "normal" children - there is just no way to comprehend what it must be like to give birth to a child that has a heart defect, and is autistic.

If you know someone with a special needs child - this is a wonderful book. Hannah is such a sweetie - brightens every morning as she gets on the bus and is so happy to go to school :)

What are you reading this week?

Blog of the Week & The View from a Window!

I found another amazing blog - Never Growing Old! This has been my motto for the last 23 years!! Only found this blog yesterday, but it's now on my "to read" list! She has also started an "OVER 40 Club" for us older bloggers. Definitely joining that. Isn't the button wonderful?


Every Monday she posts "Meet Me Monday" where you can copy 5 questions and answer them on your own blog. It's a way to get to know everyone. Here are today's questions and my answers:

1. How many brother and sisters do you have?
One Brother and One Sister (I'm the oldest)

2. What is your favorite thing to do?
Anything on the computer :)

3. What countries have you visited?
USA (I live in Canada), Mexico, England, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Barbados (honeymoon)

4. Are you a morning or a night person?
Definitely Morning!! Best time of the day for some quiet me time.

5. What's your favorite cereal?
Apple Cinnamon Cheerios

Check out the blog - wonderful photo's of their vacation happening now, recipes, and Follow Friday for bloggers over 40! Wonderful blog :)

Did everyone have a good Father's Day? We had a very relaxing one - which is good. Our oldest surprised us by coming home for the weekend. Of course he didn't know that Sunday was Father's Day, but it was still good to see him. Saturday morning I noticed that he was going upstairs with the camera. Had no idea what he was doing, but later found out that he wanted to post pictures of the view from his bedroom windows on Facebook. I guess people where wondering why he came home for the weekend :) These are his photos:

One of his friends suggested that he now take photo's of the view from his window when he's in the city. He didn't think anyone would want to see the back alley behind the house and the neighbors back door :)

Did you do something special for Father's Day? How was your weekend?

Happy Father's Day!

Friday Feature: RJM Creations

I love bags :) RJM Creations makes some of the most wonderful purses, clutches and wristlets. Take a look - you might find something you like!

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am originally from Texas and wandered out to California with my daughter 16 years ago, we fell in love with the beach and weather and stayed. I have been a single mother all my adult life and started sewing out of a desire to share something personal with my daughter. It started with a Halloween costume and a simple little machine (which I still use over 20 years later for simple sewing)

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
My shop name is a combination of initials for myself/daughter (our first names start with the same initial), and then my two dogs so: Rosamond/Rebecca, Jackson and Montana.
I started because I was laid off and needed to create something to feel better. I am a very active person and the loss of a job was difficult. I have always participated in lots of volunteer work so wanted to find a way to stay busy with that yet still focus on contributing as part of the project.

*What got you started in recycling?
I have always been a “save the world” sort of gal. When my daughter was small I had a large organic garden (over 25 years ago) and the lifestyle is so focused on doing good for yourself and the world around you.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
Men’s silk neckties, they are beautiful little pieces of art in themselves. I incorporate them in every piece I can.

*What motivates or inspires you to create?
The attention I get when people see my purse. They are great conversation starters and they make people smile.

*Are there other places on the net we can find you?
www.flickr.com/photos/rjmcreations

*What is your favorite shop that uses recycled materials, and/or your favorite blog about recycling?
ShifflettStudios on Etsy, maybe it is being in California and the wine culture that I appreciate the beautiful recycled wine bottles.

Watch My Garden Grow

First - If you are a woman you should really read this post over at All My Yesterdays:
http://rustingrose.blogspot.com/2010/06/womans-flaw.html

So - with the rain and intermittent sun we've been getting, the garden is growing. Of course, so are the weeds :( Have to get in there with the tiller and hoe tomorrow, after Hubby sharpens the hoe for me. Here is what everything looks like so far:

Corn
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Carrots
Pumpkin
Tomatoes
Onions
Raspberries - just planted these a couple of weeks ago and it looks like this one will get berries! What?

Do you plant a garden? What's in it?

WW - Food Art

Some people just have way to much time on their hands :)