Soft in the Head Giveaway!!!!

In case you haven't already heard, Pam Gracia is promoting a blog giveway! That's right, the Olde Softee herself, is causing a commotion. She is giving away not one, not two, but 3 things! To enter her drawing, simply post a comment on her blog! Be sure you also check out her offerings on Simply Primitives and Pfatt Marketplace.
I cant seem to paste the picture of her adoreable prizes but just click on her blog link Ive managed to cut, copy, and paste...whoo hoo, who says you cant teach an old Scaredy Kat new tricks????
Someones gonna be awfully lucky to win one of her 3 yes three prizes. ohh go check it out now....

Wedding Bliss (Jordan & Noelia)

Welcome to my son Jordans wedding day. He and my new beautiful daughter in law "Noelia" were married on this past Sunday August 3d. We were thrilled to have our oldest son come home for 4 days from New Jersey, but without his wife because Lana is in Russia attending HER brothers wedding! My parents understandably but sadly told us they wouldnt be able to attend since my Moms chemo side effects are sometimes brutal & she was afraid if she managed to get there, shed have to leave. So when my Dad surprized us & showed up at the park without my Mom which was a gift within itself since he never leaves her side, we were all very touched.
The half hour service in a beautiful park noted for their plush gardens was very hot, so his showing up, was truley a gift. After the sentimental & tearful ceremony, & picture taking, we all went to the Sheriden Hotel to "PaRtAy"!!!!! and Partay we did. The buffet of chicken, pasta salads, delicious alfredo side dishes and rich treats were superb. The cake was marble with a white whipped creamy frosting.

I have to share with you, I was feeling a little cheated and squirrely with everyone drinking and getting a buzz. Not everyone knew we dont drink so we were constantly being offered, invited or pushing away drinks from guests wanting to celebrate with the parents of the grrom! There was an open bar for 3 hours.
But after the buzz gradually & progressively increased, Ronnie and I watched the transformation twist into certifiably "feeling no pain", (WHATSOEVER) or what we would call "shifazzed",we felt much better about choosing to remain sober. Especially the next morning, we woke up chipper, headache & nausea free, sobriety in tact ready to embrace our new day.
Im sure since the wedding was on a Sunday, there were probably alot of call outs on Monday morning!

On Tuesday evening before David prepared for the long ride back to Jersey. we had a wonderful family get together and my Mom felt well and comfortable enough to join us with Grampa, Noelia, Jordan, Ronnie, David, & I.

I made italian goulash, salad and were able to take some great pictures for all of us to tuck inside of our hearts while we were all well and blessed enough to smile, and love each other out loud. I am just overwhelmed with gratitude, love, and filled with joy.

Thank you for taking a minute to allow me to share my sons beautiful wedding and some precious memories with you.

Please take a peek at the exquisite choker I am wearing with the matching earrings & bracelet. (click on the photo to enlarge) They are Cultured Pearls, Sterling Silver, & Swarvsky Crystals. All designed & created especially for me "The Grooms Mother" (which is the name of this set) by a very special friend of mine I met online & have shared a deep intimate friendship for the past 2 years. Stephanie designs and creates elegant pieces which can be found on her website http://www.designsbysteviejay.com/ She blessed me w/ this amazing set because she knew I was panicked about (what a girl like me) would wear to her sons formal wedding!

When the box arrived, I thought it was another wedding gift for the kids. So whenever I realized it was for me....I opened it like a little girl on Christmas morning, & when I saw what this woman had done just for me...well thats when I decided Id have to absolutely buy a tube of waterproof mascara to get me thru this week! I felt so feminine, froo froo, and actually "felt" pretty. Thank you Stephanie, you have once again touched my heart & rendered me speechless.

Well folk, life is back to normal & Ive got to go catch up on emails that Ive not been able to open or respond to since Ive been offline since early Saturday morning! Ive also got a great job interview later today working with a network of artisans who display their work, which is mostly country, primitive, and folkart, in a co-op venue. Perfect job for Kat! Please keep a positive thought for me at 3:30 this afternoon! Thanks....

PHOEBE & New Beginnings....

Please meet my new friend "Phoebe" I just think shes adoreable. She was suppposed to be guarding the newly planted pumpkin seeds in the patch, but instead she went off and picked herself a huge olde primitive sunflower!

I worked long & hard on Phoebe, she insisted on picking a blue rose from someones garden & stuck it in her green hat. Oooohhh I can tell Phoebes going to be a hand full when she goes to her new adoptive home. But her mischievous spirit just adds to her delightful personality as she helps prepare everyone for the autumn chill. If anyone is interested in adopting Phoebe, please email me for details or just stop by & say hello...my email will be on the bottom of this entry.
NEWSFLASH!!!
Well folks this will probably be my last entry until Monday. I have some surprizing but awesome news...I am taking down the add for an Amish girl to wed my youngest son, since he is spoken for and will be a groom on this coming Sunday on August 3d!!!!
Yes...We were just as surprized when they announced 9 days ago.....that they would be getting married privately on the 3d....UNTIL the bride to be's Mom got a hold of them and now its going to be a grand event to be celebrated at the Sheriden Hotel after a beautiful ceremony in Wickham Park in Manchester here in Ct.
Soon after the smelling salts, being fanned, & picked up off the floor, I realized they had their minds made up & I might as well accept & embrace the blessing that Im going to have another daughter in law..."Miss Noellia" she is stunningly beautiful...teeny tiny little Peruvian spitfire that has stolen Jordans heart & quite honestly has taken ours as well.
Theyve been together for the better part of this year & we are proud that she will be a new member of our family.
I am hysterically trying to pull together a new dress, shoes, haircut, & color, nails need to be filled, suit to be purchased for Ronnie, & a birage of other necessities needed to be pulled together before this blessed event....I look forward to the big day.
My oldest son David is coming from N.J. solo since his wife is in Russia attending HER brothers wedding! So my house shall be full once again & I promise to post pics to share with you all.

(side note) I sure would appreciate prayers for tomorrow as my Mom visits her oncologist for her results of her latest Cat scan since her last round of medically challenging chemo. I thank you all in advance for your kind comment,s well wishes, cards, and emails. They are absolutely the only reason Ive been able to get thru this painful time. Much love & heartfelt gratitude for having you in my online life. I adore you all!

Maggies Honor

Ronnie & I meet some of thee most amazing folks. All different walks of life & we feel so lucky.

A couple of these people Im refering to are 2 awesome men Robert & Michael. They live in my neighborhood & we met them on one of our walks with or w/o Opie a couple of years ago, but began a conversation the first time we saw their beautiful old girl "Maggie" who was also a Jack Russell Terrier, Maggie was 14, had lost her eyesight & clearly had no patience for our little pain in the butt Opie who always wanted to sniff her...well ya know where w/Opie bein a boy dog and all,...Mags had no patience for his curiosity, his energy, or wanting to play the I wanna sniff your pee pee dance. But Opie bored her... but I loved her spirit, it was so touching to see the trust she had for her daddy Robert & Id see them at our local concerts on the town green, or slowly & patiently walking inthe park & they had such a loving relationship.

Well Ronnie came home last week with the heartbreaking news that Maggie had passed away 3 weeks after losing Roberts precious Mom. O Lord, I just felt so heartbroken & horrible knowing I couldnt do a thing about his losing his 2 favorite women in his life. I literally moped around the house for days. Thinking how could I possibly think sending a morbid condolense card would be enough, until......I remembered months ago, my friend Stacey had sent me an adoreable doggie pattern named "Clancey" well I have never attempted anything other than an occasional doll pattern since Im directionally challenged & prefer to muddle thru designing my own...but I thought if Stacey had enough confidence in my ability to accomplish this pattern, then Id give it my best shot....I altered the wings a bit but the entire pattern was Staceys from "The Ravens Haven" & I was quite pleased w/ the outcome. I made her a set of painted wings & a halo which was embellished wire. I secured her on a wooden dowel & wooden base.

Ronnie & I walked over to give the guys their gift & they were in the garden weeding & I thought geez these guys "are" depressed sittin in that dirt weeding!!!! well needless to say when Robert & Michael opened their rendition of Maggie, I know it touched their hearts. I got GREAT BIG HAPPY HUGS & smiles & perhaps a few tears.... and they immediately displayed her on the memory book case where only the prestegious are allowed. I am beyond honored, & humbled. Roonie asked them if they think theyd get another dog when they had done some healing, & Robert said "Ill have a dog when God wants me to have a dog, Ill know when it shows up at my door, or lost in a parking lot, Ill let God make that decision for me". & I thought how faithful & beautiful to trust God when your heart is so wounded. What a lesson for me...for all of us.

Ive been going thru so much myself lately that I took my own advise & decided to stop thinking of all my own problems & do something nice for someone. Love someone out loud. Im so grateful I did because I know the pain these 2 guys are feeling & we never know what a day will bring us, so why not express our feelings for eachother while were here to enjoy it?

Well now after seeing the results of Maggie...Im going to have to create an Opie...

I just wanted to share with you the power of friendship in my life...I am so blessed.

The Fall Guy!

" Trick or Treat ... Smell My Feet?" why you little wize guy...nope its just The Fall Guy. I had a blast making him. Isnt his little face so sweet? He secured on a dowel and round wooden stand, to help him embellish any table or nook & cranny. Hes going to be the hit of one of the 2 Autumn Shows I regestered for in Sept.

I hope you get a kick out of this primitive pumpkin doll I made. Ive got several goodies, body parts, neked dolls, & other autumn delights in the birthing process right now. Ive also had the pleasure of making some new recovery themed dolls, bobble heads, stitcheries, fridge magnets, tote bags, pillows God boxes & Jars....

I am so grateful that during this stressful time in my life with preparing for some scary but long awaited tests & eventual medical treatments of my own AND praying my Mom thru hers, that Ive got the oppertunity to divert my attention & worried heart by sewing, painting, designing, networking and marketing to keep me positive. I light a candle & pray for family and friends while the sewing machine is literally smoking.....

I am just so thankful that God had blessed me with some unbelieveable friends both online & face to face to help remind me that Im never alone, that miracles,& blessings are being worked out in my best interest right now at this very moment...... IMAGINE!!!!

Id appreciate any & all prayers, Im not fussy, God knows what my needs are...I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the emails, prayers, and sweet comments left concerning my Mom and her courageous battle with cancer. God bless you all with uncommon favor and supernatural miracles, & blessings..

Busy July!!!

Enola? meet Mikey...can you say thunder thighs????? Matties back by popular demand...hee hee...he is soo my hero...

My step dad Sal, over there on the right with my son Jordan aka (Shorty), & the bravest woman I know...my Momma!
Check out the 3 legged stroller made by "Jeep" hey...up here...

Matt, Enola, & a very proud G.G. (Glamorous grammie)

Flip flop... goes my heart when Im with my Enola, her Mom & daddy. & new flippies G.G. bought.

Clean & Very Sober Opie....

Ive been so busy, Im sorry I havent been able to post a new entry until now.

Ive been busily making my new "Sponsor Heads" which are whimsiacl & a little primitive, my sponsor heads are sitting on a bedspring acting almost as a bobble head encouraging all good things such as "Keep it Simple" "Blessed is the peacemaker" "Because Nice Matters" "One Day at a Time"etc...Ive had a few orders from my womens meetings. Its fun to make personalized ones, especially if I happen to know the recipient.

Then we had another BBQ last Saturday which my hubs had invited a few of the guys at work who were faced with some culturally diversified sensitive issues. So Ronnie thought perhaps if the guys got together outside of work, have some good eats, throw some shoes, and relax a bit, it might help and although Im not sure how theyll feel about eacho0ther at work after this, I do know they had a BALL while here. Everyone was so respectful, hungry, and behaved themselves. After several games of shoes, man the testosterone was a flyin....My heart swelled with pride for my husband. He did a good thing. He made a difference in the lives of others for at least 6 hours with these guys, Nothing much mattered to them but enjoying the day. Ill bet after seeing themselves in a relaxed environment, goofing around and enjoying their own company without the stress of getting piping & fencing orders out, they may se themselves as regular guys regardless what color their skin may be.

And I was rewarded for my efforts with a surprize visit from my Matt. Nicole and my Enola...I was only gonna help Ronnie set up and then take off but God had other plans for me...YIPEE!!! Check out her new flip flops G.G. bought her...too cute. If I ever needed a Matt, Nicole and Enola fix...it was then.

Then I saw my Mom today for the first time since Dec. and Im so sorry to share that her cancer that was shrinking has come back with vengence,. I would sure appreciate any and all prayers for her and my family at this devestating time.

Oh and of course Opies bath...is he pathetic or what?????????

Happy 4th of JULY!!!!

Happy 4th of July Everyone....

I do love celebrating Americas Anniversery of Independence...But in all honesty my independence day came many years ago when I came into recovery. I had the freedom from active addiction to do whatever I wanted to but couldnt because I was a prisoner to my dis-ease. I remember the very first time I voted...Im ashamed to admit that I never cared one way or the other before recovery...but between my son having just left for his first tour in Iraq, & my deep desire to want to be a part of such a patriotic honor...I decided to register, & then vote.

Ronnie came with me & hes standing outside the curtain giving me directions because I didnt know how. The sweet volunteers patiently explained to me what to do, & were even cracking up when Ronnie thought it would be funny to yell over the curtain..."Honey...just drop in the quarter & the movie will be on in a minute"

I stood there in unbelievable awe & a deep sense of humility & gratitude as I became very emotional & the tears wouldnt stop. I had helped contaminate my little part of this wonderful Country with my illegal scams, trying to get over on so many people, signing up for social services so I didnt have to work, & only helped harm our economy w/ my selfish & horrible choices, so the warm feeling Im convinced was the "Presence of God" standing in that little booth in our town with me, forgiving me, and reminding me of the hundreds of other gifts awaiting me as long as I continue to allow Him to work in my life.

On this day...I dont just think of the fireworks, BBQs, or picnics, I think of all of our US Soldiers who arent with us because theyre busy fighting, going without, feeling lonely, and some are dying ...so we may be safe in our "AMERICA the Beautiful" to celebrate our 4th of July. If it werent "for" our Soldiers, we wouldnt be embracing or enjoying our safe picnics. So tonight as I watch the fireworks display...for every one that goes up, so will a prayer for our troops who are proudly protecting and serving us all so well.

Thank you Troops...We await and pray for your safe return.