See Any Flying Pigs????

Cuz they sure are flyin around here....big ones, little ones...& they all have BLOGS!
On this day Thursday March 25th 2010 "I" have finally mastered how to add blog links to my side bar.....Yeah theyre flyin all right....ohh man I hope they havent just eaten...ohhh yeah I have experience with those pigeons & I didnt feel lucky, I just felt GrOsS!

Even suffering from a gall stone/bladder attack/issue AND doing shots of mucinex & zycam from a chest cold to add to this fun filled day....I sat up here wishing I had a gurney, w/ several versions of "adding blog/links/ directions in my hand...I think I need to quit my day job...ooops I dont have a day job, LOL but if I did....Id quit... to begin writing a book embracing my spin on Blogging for Dummies! Helping those with LDs...chest colds & Gallbladder issues.

Miracles DO happen...Those of you who know me & my frustrations of feeling less than...stupid...defective....when I finally do something especially on this computer...even feeling painfully "Galled"
I am on a high that you can only imagine...
Now I have to figure out how not to have the "Blog List" title posted each & every time I add someone new...ahhhhh I reeeeeeeeally needed this accomplishment today.

I was frustrated when I called my Doctors office with symptoms of a possible gall bladder attack/or stones or sumpthin awful.
Ive been suffering from since yesterday morning, nausea, low grade fever,extreme pain on the right side under my rib cage whenever I exhale, & a variety of other symptoms a little too personal to enthrall you with...& I cant get an appt.until April 9th @ 3:30!!! when I expressed my concern the perky little nurse suggested I go to the ER.
(Bite me)
Did I say thaaaaaat?
So until the pain or said symptoms increase...Ill just continue driving my husband crazy with my list of complaints .
Thats what good husbands do...in Kats world.

So I hope you all get a kick out of the complete joy Im feeling...If I can do this...what else can I do....
well Im going to think big & close for now so I can go apply to be a Tech Support Customer Service Rep for Google, or Yahoo.........yup them pigs arent the only ones flyin!

The Spring Has Sprung!

Happy Spring Everyone....
In my last blog entry, the sun was shining brightly, my windows were wide open, I was spring cleaning like a woman on a mission, & after 4 days of being wildly spoiled with the big warm, yellow ball in the sky...we were hit with the reality that the earth needing a good scrubbing as well...so it rained...and rained and rained some more.

So I took that time to take a much needed break & decided to feed my soul & paint...
I usually always give or sell my finished projects, but I have made the exciting decision to keep all of my recent work.
Sooooo I distressed an old piece of oval shaped wood with a couple of layers of black & cream colored paints...then I sanded the entire piece so the black poked out heavily on the sides & at random on top....I couldnt wait to paint this "John Sliney" salt box on it & gave it an oil based burnt umber wash, then stained it with a darker shade of walnut minwax. Then lastly sealed it with a matte varnish. Im very happy with it.

Then Im almost done putting the finishing touches on my "Spring Bunny" (my own design) Im in the process of painting some wooden eggs & some heavily grunged osnaburg carrots, & a couple of muslin primitive peeps to keep her company as she celebrates Spring.
Her name is "Opal"

I want to thank my new online friend "Miss Lori" from "Not Forgotten Farm"
In my last post, in dire, desperate, frustration of not being able to figure out posting some of my favorite blogs...even after a couple of wonderful online friends emailed me directions in the past & still couldnt make it happen....I offered to pay someone willing to step in & help me...not long after posting my plea...within the hour, Lori left me a comment & generously offered to help me... then she made time & CALLED ME! Is she too sweet????she said shed be happy to help if she could & friends dont charge friends...I was overwhelmed with this act of kindness.

She tried to walk me thru it, & for whatever reason my blog dashboard was being stubborn ....so I gave her my info to hop on board & take the reins...& evidently God is insisting "I" figure this one out on my own...because when she tried to help me, my blog chose to act loyal to me & told her because she wasnt the original blog author, she couldnt gain access! HHHMMMPH!


As you can see I managed to include her blog link while practicing on my own...but because it was a mistake..I don't know how to do it again...AAAARRRGHHHH! I am no quitter...I am going back in today & going to suit up & show up again...THIS MEANS WAR!

Anyway I just wanted to make sure & thank Lori from the bottom of my heart. I promised to pay it forward & do my best to try & lighten someone elses load & perform a random act of kindness. Being nice sure is catching.

So this "Housewife of Hartford County".....is going to start her day & embrace it with all shes got...Hope to see you soon...

Heart Strings with fur....& a baby in a big red pot.!

Happy Sunny Thursday Everyone....
I met some wonderful online friends & when I shared about our rather Large Mainecoone Cat Mr. O'malley,

They wanted to know why I didn't have any recent photos of him on my blog...well I do have pictures of fat boy on here, but they're not recent. So here ya go...... he is such a ham..yuckin it up for the camera....then his very jealous housemate Opie became a little out of sorts & began the " HEYYYYY!!!!What about me?" look.....so Im not one to break hearts...so here's all that makes my heart skip a beat or two....

I found these 2 absolute adoreable pics of Natalie Jo on my daughter in laws FB page & Grammie just had to have....I told her the one in the pot puts a whole new spin on bein on the Pot-ty! LOL
Then there were a bunch of cute sayings that Lanas' FB friends were posting about what Nat could have been thinking with her little dainty finger under her chin...well we all know she was "really" wondering when shes gonna see Grammie & Pops again???!

As some of you know, Ive been in "The Zone" with my recent much needed spring cleaning... however...here's the thing....I cant STOP! This poor house has been so neglected for a variety of excuses, some even justifiable & understandable in the beginning, then I just got plain overwhelmed, disgusted & depressed. I felt like such a fraud visiting so many other fabulous blogs when my home felt so uncomfortable living here.
Since cleaning, scouring walls,appliances, windows, cabinets, un-cluttering & reorganizing every drawer & closet, every nook & cranny simplified. I feel as if Ive gotten a new purpous in life....yet another second chance at making my house a home...
Celebrating "Primitive Simplicity" I dont feel fraudulent any longer, when I visit you.....Now if I could just find someone to hire & decorate my blog..make it networking friendly.
No REALLY....

If any of you know someone who would be willing to work with me for a reasonable price, Id sure appreciate it. I'm looking for maybe a new background, Id like to add widgets,maybe a new border, add links & a follower thingy...something with some POP that would increase my ability to "keep" the friends I make.

I understand why some get upset, feel slighted & don't return nor do they leave comments,. I "get" that I truley do... But those who know me understand its not because I'm selfish or rude, but am unable to update my blog alone..there's very little I know of that I can do on my own anyway....I need help.
Asking or reaching out is not always easy....but I'm finally in a place where complacency is'nt nearly enough nor is it acceptable to me....
I'm embracing change inside, & outside..& I've heard..."If you don't go within...you'll go without..." Ive been without long enough.
Any Takers? Suggestions? Know someone who knows someone?
Edited to express my sheer joy when I attempted once again....to add the "Follow Me Thingy" on my own & low & behold...... I may have learning disablities but I am a StUbBoRN woman...I went into my blog guts like Schwartzenhager......& another cuppa coffee & Im going to try to add some links...."I'LL BE BACK!"OMG Im unstoppable! LOL

New beginnings everywhere..thank you Springtime!

Simple Blessings

My new BFFE (sorry Jody, but I KNOW you understand)

The spring has sprung...the flowers has riz...I wonder where dem boidies is! :)

My Husband & I had thee best time last weekend when we drove our "new to us" truck "Leaping LuLu" to Jersey to see the kids. Shes a GREAT lil truck..smooth & good on gas.
We left on Sat. morning & arrived after a little "Dufus Detour" (note to self...purchase a GPS ASAP) after 11:30am...keeping in mind we left Ct. at 6:15am & it should have only been a 4 hour drive!

We were so surprized to see how much Natalie Josephine had grown. The last time we saw her was a couple of weeks after she was born last June...so we had a bLaSt with her silly faces, sweet disposition & affectionate personality.
What a joy this baby girl is.
Please allow me to brag for a minute...she knows how to wave goodbye, she will rasberry if... you do first & sometimes on her own when her mouth is full of sweet potatoes! LOL she will high 5 you...& truth be told I caught Grandpa trying to teach her to "Grunt" so shell leave a little sumpthin in her diaper at any given time! Well keep that one between us k?
Men!

She just about broke my heart when we were leaving on Sunday & saying our heart wrenching goodbyes, I had already kissed & hugged her thru my tear streaked face & as I began to turn away she stretched her little arms out for me to hold her...AAARARARGGHHHHH! OMGAWD!!!!!Ronnie had whispered under his breath..."How accurate "do" you think those Amber alerts really are?" LOL

I cried until we hit the G.Washington Bridge in N.Y. & only stopped being distracted cuz we got pushed into an EZ Pass toll booth & ummmm...we didnt have an EZ Pass...no human toll person, only about 15 angry , honkin, bird flippin, NY drivers...thank God a CT. driver behind us inched his way in reverse & allowed us to back up & get the hell outta Dodge!
I swear Ronnie did that to get me to stop the wailing comin out of me! LOL it worked....sniff sniff.
God I love this man!

Well see them all again in June when they come home for my sons best friends wedding & WE get to babysit!!!

This visit was wonderful because I witnessed what a fabulous team my son & daughter in law make.
Their home is organized like a tight oiled ship...I couldnt be prouder of Lana & her housekeeping skills & was inspired & quite envious to see what a passion it is for her...especially with a full time job, husband AND 9 month old baby! You Go Girl!
I came home with a new found desire to un-clutter, organize, spring clean & scour my own home...hence the upcoming photos.
I have been working non stop since Monday morning & have torn apart my kitchen.
And now I cant stop.....I am not proud to admit, I have learned that after working full time, then having 2 surgeries to recontruct my thumb, a bout of depression, my home was severely neglected & I might add...abused. Our home is pretty big for just Ronnie & I. But were here now& will bloom where were planted.

I have realized that although I am not a legal "Hoarder" I do have an unhealthy attatchment to "Stuff"
Ive done some therapy concerning this revelation & believe growing up in such poverty, & then losing so much during my dark period of life when battling heroin addiction, that when I was blessed & saved by God & embraced continued sobriety many years ago, I thought having stuff filled that insatiable hole in my soul....with things...I was wrong.
I was just plain overwhelmed.
Since simplifying, scouring, throwing away, letting go, & then organizing...I have found such a freedom. This was such a cleansing process. I KNOW Im not dishonoring my sister or my Mom by throwing, donating, or selling things I dont need or want anymore.

The kitchen was the first of 7 more rooms & a huge basement to follow....I am on a mission. Ive also noticed that because of loving the end results, Im quite motivated to wake up each morning & start another room.
Im unstoppable.
Im scaring my husband.

Im off to the dollar store again this morning to re-up on my cleaning supplies, & more plastic containers.
One of the areas Im trying to embrace & look forward to is finding a place to organize & create a "Studio friendly" room. I have soooo many art, paint, & doll making supplies, so much fabric waiting to be stacked & used, so many small pieces of furniture Ive picked up at tag sales or antique shops that Ive put away to restore, Ive got so many books & magazine collections that I need to find space for & commit to weed out. Ill never part with some favorites like Create & Decorate, Mercantile Gathering, Where Women Create & now The Simple life... but I am looking forward in having what some consider a legal studio to go & "Just Be"
This adventure had afforded me the realization that this new organized life is a way to honor my authentic self.
Ive been so lost.
I posted a picture of an angel I tried to create from Robin Seeber & "Outside The Box" I found her pattern in Create N Decorate magazine. I giggle cuz Ive read many artists who are rightfully upset because theyve been copied without being mentioned as original artist or having the respectful credit when re-creating their work....

Im sure hoping I dont upset Robin because I "did" try to copy her.... & FAILED miserably! LOL This angel is my first one from Robin & although I happen to think shes cute, I couldnt for the life of me figure out Robins original wings....I had to surrender & accept my angel would be flying around with these..... mine....We just cant afford a stay at Betty Ford...so I sold out & settled for mine.
The other photos are pretty self explanatory....The Wheres Waldo looking pooch is my "Opie" takin one of his many morning snoozes, I hate disturbing him to make the bed, but... things are a changin and theres a new sheriff in town & shes spring cleaning like a loonatic!