Blessings from Napa Valley and more....

I havent been here in awhile & I apologize but Ive been so busy. My dear friend Jody who I asked yall to pray for (thank you all so much, ohhh the power and wonder of prayer) came and spent an over night with us. What a delightful and wild-woman she is.

Its as if I met my twin...ok, so we may not exactly look alike, but kindred spirits we are indeed.

We had a great time gabbing, sharing, and loving each other like best friends do. I am in awe that God would deem me worthy of such a phenomeanl woman. I mean she IS ALL THAT!

Thank you God.

See my flowers? Yup, Ronnie surprized me last week with this gorgeous dozen. I immediately went to the "What did you do?" place..LOL but he bought them to make me smile... :>) and smile I did!!!!

See, on Wednesday, June 10th, I tripped on a broken floor tile in the kitchen at work and I went down HARD! When I put my hands out to naturally try and break my fall, I injured my right thumb/wrist...ya know, the one I suffer from RA with? so my company sent me to their Prompt Care place, which x-rayed me, found a sprain, but when I went home and it began locking up on me like the pain and un-natural way a charley horse does...everytime I flip my cell phone down, or hold the tooth brush, paint brush...(please pass the tissues) it began this painful episode, so they sent me to a "Hand Specialist/Surgeon.

He was not happy with the xray, and saw the inflammation and joint/ligament & tendon damage from the fall. Going back on light duty (which is a laugh, cuz there is no light duty doing what I do) probably wasnt the best call made from Prompt Care...(his words, not mine) so he put me out of work for the remaining last 4 days of school, gave me a cortizone shot...OUCH!!!! ohh how embarrassing to have a toughie like me beg this man for mercy while he purpously dislocated my thumb to insert the cortizone.... but ohhh what sweet relief with the novicane he also injected which only lasted a couple hours before the pain returned. So I have a take on, take off cast with rods, and an appointment on July 1st to set up another appointment for an MRI and possible surgery???? WTHeck???? I heard little else after that one!

I am going back to school on Monday to say goodbye and to wish the kids a happy, and safe summer while lunch is being served for the last time this year! BAUGH Im gonna miss most of these buggers..........so now Im unable to collect unemployment cuz of the injury.... and workmans comp is going to take awhile.... so I guess patience, tolerance, and lots of prayer will be required...ohhh yeah, did I mention Ronnie got laid off yesterday too?????????????????????????????????? Ohh man its a good thing I dont drink!

I thought Id show yall some of my new ink I had done a couple of months ago...a beautiful lotus which only grows from mud and mire and only gets beautfiful when exposed to light? hence the amazing celestial female sun that my talented friend Bennet Love designed just for me? (Darn good thing I shaved dem pits!)Definitely appropraite considering my life was in the mire before I was rescued by God and brought to the light of a new way of life in recovery. And what a life this is!



Looky here....Shoe shopping for my Natti-Jo due to be born on the 29th of this month. Newborn Crocs?????How stinkin cute...

I painted this tote bag for Jody, knowing it would be loaded up with goodies Ronnie and I spoiled her with, its a great gift bag and take on for the plane. Both sides were painted with whimsical designs from me, and a variety of artists. Sherrie Reiner being one. (Angels on the other side.)

She sooo LOOOVED it! I think if you click on the photo, it will become enlarged, check out the adoreable buttons from "Joannes" that were on sale for .50 cents each!

I also posted a cute shutter shelf with panes and mirrors behind it, I found at a tag sale and stripped and helped it along to give it some primitive pop.

Well todays Ronnies birthday, Im making a nice summer cake for him. A white cake, poke some holes in it after its baked and drizzle some fruity jello in the holes and then slather with whip cream..mmmmmm I bought him a single sterling silver feather ear ring for him, since he lost his last one. It honors his Native name being Ronald 4 Feathers. and for Fathers day? a card and an inexpensive but durable birdbath hes wanted for so long... OMG!!!!when did we get to the place where we want bird feeders and bird baths for presents? When did the Harley Davidson themed gifts stop???? OMG were stinkin old!!!!!!

Well Peeps, this will be the last "Christmas Time Letter" type of blog entry...Im off for the summer and although sore, and slow, I am in the process of creating something fun for a "Giveaway" to find my old friends and make some new...Lets get this party started!

Introducing "Scaredy Kat & Her Own Crow"

OH mY LiTTlE OpIe!
Gosh how is it possible to love and adore a little neurotic Jack Russell Terror as much as I do? Its like a sickness.
Its more than puppy love.
What in the WORLD am I going to do when I meet my Grand Daughter Nattie Jo????
How can you have so much love in your heart? Its GOT to be a God thing.
Well as you can see, Im in the process of celebrating & introducing my new business name that Ive included as my Blog name (although I have no clue as to how to change the link name, so for now it will have to remain the Katerpillars no more name but in link only) I sure would appreciate any suggestions.

Anyway...HIIIIII Everybody!!!!
What a gorgeous sunny, warm Sunday afternoon here in New England.
Weve got some baby back pork ribs on the grill, and I made pasta salad with tuna, bacon and ranch seasonings. OOhh with a little bit of cucumber and a couple of tomoatoes! mmmm



I made this sign and placed it on a tree we refer to as the "Squirrel Highway" Down there!Its pretty self explanatory, but I love thinking maybe all of our weeds could be wildflowers..so I shouted it to the world, well at least in my back yard, the squirrels know how I feel...that is... if they can read....dont underestimate em, these lil critters are purty smart when they wanna be!

I wanted to show off some of my neat loot I scored at this huge tag sale the hubs and I went to yesterday morning. We had a ball. Then we went to breakfast at this old family biker diner and shared hot coffee, eggs and home fries, Im sure glad Im not seeing any cholesterol checking Doctors this week!!!


Ohhhh boy...this looks like trouble...What Could olde
"Ever Ready and Never Ready" be thinkin??? Not me...Them! They are like 2 peas in a pod.

Ronnie was test driving our neighbors Harley Davidson that was plenty big enough for our neighbor, but poor Ronnie needs a little more bike for his 6ft4inch self! But he sure had fun. Im excited to share that we have begun an official Harley Davidson Savings account.

Ohhh Kitty, kitty oh so pretty. This heres olde crotchety Mr. O'Malley. He last weighed in at 23bs. (Im sure alot if its his fur)


So heres a few more things I scoffed up while sailing yesterday morning, I bought these cute lil Uncle Sam corn on the cob holders, a picnic basket, wheres Miss Tina when ya need great painting ideas? Then look at this awesome prim apothocary style cabinet I got for our bathroom with 4 tin drawers! Then I hung this antique fire putter outter thingy on my living room wall. Too stinkin cute. We had a blast just hanging out together without a care in the world, thank God for weekends and the best husbands.

Ok and last month I was scanning my all time favorite magazing The Mercantile Gatherings and I see this article honoring and introducing this wonderful prim artisan Kristal from Rags-n-tags...well dontcha know she lives a couple of towns over from me? well I immediately email her and go to her blog and website and ordered some of her fabulous olde bottle caps with pictures of Slave womenfolk in them, I wear mine on my lapel and will use the others on my old civil war dolls. I know the piccy isnt clear but please go check this woman out. I ordered a few other things and sent her too mcuh money and she sent me an adoreable muslin cinnabun. I hadda warn the "Wildman" its not to eat!!!!

How cute is this?

Please DO check Kristalswebsite out, you wont be sorry.

http://www.rags-n-tags.com/

Well it sure is smellin right as Im typin away and the old belly is a growlin...thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous week. I sure am getting excited with working only half days from now on until the last day of school, then ElEVen weeks of vaca! YIPEE!
In closing I would like to thank each of you who prayed for my Best Friend "Jody" Our prayers have been answered and the healing has begun...Thank God...Thank all of you prayer warriors who held this amazingly brave woman up....God is so good! But we knew that!

.

A little Joisey in the air...

This is the Hudson River looking from the George Washington Bridge...The one Tony Sopranos driving over in the opening of his show...I was looking but couldnt find poor "Pussy" floatin around...probably cuz of the cement shoes they strapped on him....

Ahhh sweet remenents I found at "Jo's" gonna make me some Patriotic treats from this stash... Im thinkin pinwheels! or no...how bouta prim pillow with sumpthin stitched on it..or no i KNOW!!! oh never mind...well just have to wait-n see.

I bought this beautiful plant as a Managers Special...she was almost dead...look at her now..worth alot more than the 2 bucks I paid for her!

And something Ive begun painting...youll hafta wait to see the completed design.

I lOVE being a copy Kat..but not without proper credit where credits due...This fun piece I painted is a Sherrie Riener?/Reiner? (sorry Miss Sherrie) print... She used a clip board to paint her design on but I bought this awesome canvas to paint on, I used gesso then painted it, ironed it and threw a dowel thru the hemmed top, then added a wire and a piece of torn homespun fabric...what an adoreable piece in my living room. Ohh these ideas with this canvas are swimmin so fast my old red head is a hurtin!

This huge plant Ive named "Grace" was in the dumpster at Ronnies warehouse...can you believe I saved it? I kill me, Im like the plant whisperer!I laughed when he brought this dead limp brown, broken mass home..."honey can you save her" a little miracle grow, water, lotsa sunshine and a transplant of new dirt and just look at her! I may even dare profess I have a green thumb!

Ok, so heres the thing with the tiki torches...I almost took 2 huge beefy, men out while trying to steer the basket they were in at "Big Lots"...At least their wives thought it was funny. Man could they move!

Dont ya just love my primitive window panes I picked up on the side of the road looking all lonely? and my old dresser someone else was putting out for the garbage...still gotta alot of life in it. Im not sayin it would service my bedroom or clothes but COME ON...this is cute. Im buying a couple of begonias this weekend to plant in the side drawers. Just visualize.....

How stinkin cute is my very pregnant daughter in law...

Hi LAnA!!!

Hi Nattie-Jo...tee hee,

thats my Grand baby growin in there...ohh shes gonna love her G.G.& OG

Weve become the perverbial dorky Grandparents.

Im so excited I cant stand this waiting. How can you love someone so much that your heart aches, you havent even met yet?

Hi Wildman....this heres my Ronnie...yall know him. It was nice to see him without his skull cap on.... He even ate Guacamolie...sssshh dont tell him....





Look at the loot Lana scored at her baby shower 2 weeks ago when we threw her a surprize (me thinks) Jack n Jill baby shower...

Pops was measuring her belly for a shower game...Big manly man coppers acting so silly with these girly games, man the testosterone was flyin..they all became so competitive!

Momma Kat bumpin her gums about something....

AHHH and what a blessing to have met "Bernie" a fabulous friend I met online....what a surprize to learn he lives in the same town as my son and DIL so he took time out of his very busy schedule to come meet Ronnie and I.

Ive heard so many negative stories about the freaks you can meet and al the warnings about having to be careful but I have to tell you, Bernie is one of the best blessings Ive had because of this internet.

Well all, 2 more weeks before my ELEVEN did you hear??? ELEVEN week summer vaca for this Kat!!!!

Before I close, most of you know I invite anyone and everyone to leave me a prayer request or Praise report, so Im asking you to please keep my Bestest friend in the whole world in prayers...her name is Jody and I dont need to go into detail...God knows whats goin on... but please keep her close in healing thoughts...thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Im finally getting to meet Jody in a couple of weeks, shes flying to Akron for a huge Founders Day celebration, then to Albany to spend time with her Moms, then driving to spend the night with me. me. me!!!! me so happy. Wait till yall meet her, shes da bomb diggidty!

SOOO Happy to be BACK!

Greetings from Opie and I!
I changed the wreath on my old window pane hanging on my living room wall with handmade sculpted sunflowers.

As Most know Im a working woman and have been working hard for the past few months...9 to be exact...I guess thats pretty appropo since any birth takes the same time and they dont call it labor pains for nuttin!

Summer is fast approaching us and on June 22nd, I will be off for the summer. Im grateful for the oppertunity to collect unemployment during this time so I can catch my breath, and create.

As much as I enjoy working with these difficult kids, (Gosh yall, theyre so challenged but all beautiful) & they are DIFFICULT, but I know Im making a difference because on one of the 2 days I took off recently, my assistant made me promise NEVER to take another day off!

Evidently, some of the younger kids, 4th,-8th graders, refused to come in the cafe, cuz Miss Kat wasnt there"!
Its funny because they complained that the food tasted funny cuz miss Kat didnt make it, but Miss Kat RARELY makes any of the food, my time spent there is all management, paperwork, trouble shooting, meeting with staff, parents , attending meetings, and cash that I work with. I only oversee the actual food prep.!
But I am upfront & very personal with the kids. One of them came to me with a very secretive teen pregnancy...OMGosh...the pressure, I loved her, hugged her, but gave her 2 days to tell the school nurse who is very cool...or we'd have to talk to someone together about it...(Thank Goodness, she took my suggestion)

But in all of my efforts, I do sadly and desperately miss the time creating, selling, gathering, networking, sharing and spending time at home with domestic pleasures and the friends Ive made online.
I am completely and absolutely drained beyond...doing much of anything other than throwing something on the grill, a shower, a load of laundry, an hour of TV (maybe) & off to bed to do it all again tomorrow!
The hubs has been working anywhere from 20-35 hours of OT which is equivalent to another part time job....so although weve been blessed, & are so grateful, we are both exhausted as we rebuild the financial ruin of 08.
I know I depended on the community & commeraderie friendships of kindred spirits, for prayers and support. I come back here hungry to reconnect, and refuel.
And saving the absolute best blessing to share for the very last....I am going to be a GRAMMIE in late June. My son and his wife are expecting "Nattie-Jo" Unfortunately, they live in NJ, a 5 hour car trip, and awaiting her arrival, it may as well be across the globe.
We were fortunate to surprize Lana, our DIL with a jack n Jill baby shower, last Saturday. We arrived under the fib that we were there to see their new home they purchased almost 2 years but never got a chance to see. but AHHHAAAA! that wasnt the only reason. It was a fabulous time. I am so proud of both of them. Their home is filled with love inside and out. Their story tucked in each little nook and cranny. I am swelled with pride for both of them.

Wll I am going to have another give-away soon to let everyone know Im back...but with the lesson that sometimes we need to make time for home...where the heart really is.

Happy Memorial day to all of our soldiers both past & present. You are my S/Heros.

So I have re-commited to come back & begin doing what I love so much which is spending some time with my friends here in Blog land...begin making at least one project a week. I have missed you deeply.

On May 3d, our company was challenged to wlk for hunger by "Foodshare" so Ronnie & I spent a very cloudy & rainy Sunday raising money for FoodShare.

Here a picture w/ me and the Hartford Moose on the Loose...

another picture of an old file box that was given to me for my files at work...after Lynne saw it painted she wanted it back. Silly girl thought she had a chance! HA! I dont remember the artist who designed the original, & I apologize, the angels inside are very different purpously, but I did use her awesome checkered round borders.

Then I lOVE this pillow I painted & quilted. This design is from an all time favorite painting mentor "Renee Mullins" who honored me & displayed a couple of my pieces I created from her awesome and whimsical designs on her website last year.

Ive decided to keep this one for myself, it really brightens up our sofa!

I couldnt wait....

HAPPY SnOwEd in Monday...No school YIPEE!!!!! so I worked on completing the doll I told ya all about. Her name is "Jolyn" She is going to my boss, my mentor at work and dear friend. If you click the piccy, you can better see the lil hairnet I attatched to her redhair...then youll notice the lil pot holder and spatula have major burns on them...on purpous...yup, my boss is a pryo maniac. Probably not one of her finest moments, but absolutely her funniest.
The one day she burned the spatulas plastic handle...mmm you could smell that one for days... and she even warned me to be careful and not to pick it up...huh? what? OOOOOOUUCH!!!!! Thats the problem with working in food service, everythings fast, hard and hurried....no time for luxuries such as safety...OMG and Im the supervisor!!!!!so I had Ronnie help me create these little burnt offerings. you know Im all about fine detail. Im sure shell get a kick out of it...I hope! I also incorporated a large daisy in her pocket, daisies are especially meaningful because it helps her feel connected to her "Gram" who isnt with her in the physical sense, so I wanted it to touch her with a little sentimental value as well as comedic memorabilia.
Jolyn has been and continues to be my angel at work, so I thought it appropo that she have her own little reminder that shes not the only one who touched lives. She has surely touched mine with education, guidence, support, encouragement and much laughter. Thanks for allowing me to share Jolyn with you. Ill be seeing her tomorrow, Ill let you know how she liked her. But for now, ive got some serious snow to shovel!!!! Happy Monday ALL!!!

Jolyn busy cuping soup while i was training.

The Honeymooners Have Left the Building!

But evidently were going to show my new painted tote bag off! LOL Thank you Blogger and your funky set ups and rules...still learning so much.
I found this adoreable pattern from the phenomenal artist "Sherry Riener" (I may have incorrectly spelled her name)
I bought these durable L.L.Bean Lookalike totes from a craft fair last year for a few bucks, so I purchased several in a variety of colors. Im so happy I did. Im using mine for a perfect, though a bit large.... of a walking business card! LOL and Im using it instead of a brief case at work. God knows I need ALL the angels I can get at work!!!! I perched a couple of brightly colored fabric strips on either side of the handles for a little pop. Ive already gotten 2 orders from 2 teachers.

OK, so now to the missing..I mean moved out Newlyweds. Could yall please hand me the scissors so I can cut these apron strings? Then pass the kleenex? Man this stuff hurts!

Now Ronnie and I are gonna have to start talking to each other again!!! LOL

These kids brought such light and laughter into our home, Im going to miss them something un- natural and wicked. These poor Moms who send their kids off to far away colleges. How DO you do it?

They have found an adoreable one bedroom apt. not more than a mile from me...heheheheheheeee, and its afforddable, new cabs, new floors, rugs, and appliances. These apartments used to be a motel back in the the 70s.

So they have a little kitchenette, bathroom and bedroom. They bought this beautiful new suede buff colored sofa and already had a 40 inch television (yup, theyre really slummin it!....and new dishes, housewares etc. Ronnie and I have bought them a bagless vacuume cleaner and some groceries to get them started for a couple of weeks. I didnt want to buy em more than that or Ill NEVER see them!!!!!

Im seeing the orbs in this photo and Im thinkin...Im hopin maybe its my Moms energy surrounding them in all thier happiness on thier first new apartment. I dont generally believe in that stuff but I do peek when Ronnie watched T.A.P.S. LOL

OHHHHHHHH there they go!!!!!

OHHHH God, slash those tires.........

Its snowing and were preparring for a huge amount of snow between this afternoon and tomorrow morning. No SCHOOL hopefully...I have soo much paperwork I need to do. I would also be able to create some bunnies I need to complete, a doll Im making for the woman who I consider my mentor and is technically one of my bosses, but she went above and beyond while training me and believed in me when I often questioned myself. Ill show off "Angel Jolyn" when shes complete. How can I not love this woman? She shared with me how incredibly proud she is of me AND get this....she said I was the best thing that has happened to her in the 2 years of being with this company...a doll? I wanted to buy her a car!!!!!!

Im trying to work on some baby gifts but this R.A. is really very painful and doesnt allow for the cross stitching or crocheting I used to love to do.....I am in the process of designing some items with cutie butterflies which is Natalie Josephines nursery theme....I just mailed off a box of goodies to her.

Im still having so much fun althought this job is quite stressfull, actually its 2 jobs with the same company, but Ive been working on some serious time management skills because I have learned recently that its not that I "want" to create...I "NEED" to.

This week Im asking God to lift me up with extra physical healing concerning my RA. and my HEP.C my immune system is really low and its showing up all over in my life.

Im also asking God to continue lifting my friends,(((Ruby))) (((Thomas))(((Jon))(((Tracy)))(((Bruce & Mrs. Moo)))(((always my BFF&E JOdy)))(((Sue)))((((Ima)))(((Carol and Dakota)))))(((Lana, my pregnant DIL whos so sick with the flu))))(((my son who protects and serves a town in New Jersey)))((Jordan & Noelia in their new home)))) and thank all of you here who have continued loving and praying for me...((((Peanut, Cookie,Blondie, Tina, Kady)))

Ive got to go check the lishey Pot roast, carrots, onions, in the crock pot...what a perfect Sunday dinner. mmmm my home smells so yummy. I love each of you......

I thank any and all who add my friends listed here including myself in prayer.