Dawes Arboretum: Set 2

Today was very much a Monday.  I over slept and didn't wake up until 8:15 am.  That is when I'm supposed to leave for work.  So, no shower, just up, dress and run out the door.  Thank goodness there were no state troopers on the road. I was only about 8 minutes late. 

Then about half way to the office I realized I didn't have my wallet.  No big deal really.  Except, I hadn't eaten and now I had no way to get anything for lunch.  Hmmm.... So, on my lunch break I drove home to get my wallet.  I found it, then headed back to town hoping to have just enough time to get something quick before I needed to be back.  I opened up said wallet part way back into town only to see, no debit card.  WHAT?!!!  Now, the entire purpose of my trip was shot.  But, I did have my id and check book, so off to the grocery store (really quick) to get some food BY WRITING A CHECK.  I haven't done that in ages. 

Then there was work.  Crazy sauce.  So busy I can hardly recount.  And at the end of the day as I'm getting ready to wrap things up, one of my staff calls to ask if I can swing by her room before I leave.  She needs to talk to me about a couple of the kids.  Okay, fine.  I want to just leave, but I SUPPOSE that's my job.  ;)  So, when I get there she tells me these two boys (7 year olds) spent part of their afternoon sitting by the door watching parents coming in the door so they could look at their butts and critic them (until they were found out); then they started asking her inappropriate questions.  Do you have a boyfriend?  Do you kiss?  Do you shower together? and so on.  What the heck?!  So, I get to have a delightful conversation with these two boys about how these are not nice things to ask and how 'would it embarrass you to have those things done to you and have those questions asked?'; then we don't do that to other people.  Some things are private.  Ugh, some days kids are just so much fun.

Anyway, needless to say, today was a major Monday.  The rest of my day at work was NON-STOP chaos and I am exhausted.  I plan to finish editing my next set of photos from Dawes and then get to bed.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

Enjoy the pictures and here's hoping your week started out better!

Burr Oak State Park

Yesterday was a lovely day.  My parents came down on Friday evening to Athens to bring me a dresser and spent the night.  In the early afternoon we went shopping and then they headed home.  I was also headed in that direction, but...well, I changed my mind.

Instead (despite not feeling great ;) ) I decided to go on a short hike.  The weather wasn't too bad after all and I wanted to be outside.  So, while driving through Nelsonville I saw the sign for Burr Oak State Park and took the turn.  I've never been to this park before and I will be back.

I was only able to explore a VERY small section of the park but it was so worth it!  The area I discovered was the Tom Jenkins Dam.  The Dam was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  The lake is lovely and has hiking trails around it.  I went on a short hike/walk, but with muddy conditions; not feeling well; and my stupid bum knee; I really wasn't up for a long journey.  However, I did get a few (60 total) shots around the area and had to share them.  After a  little editing, here they are!

In my estimation, this was the perfect ending to 2011.  It has not been a great year.  No, that's not true.  It has been another TERRIBLE year, but I am determined to make 2012 a great year.  So, ending 2011 with a bit of my favorite things: family, photos and NATURE (thanks God!) was a wonderful send off. 

Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely New Year's Eve!  Most importantly though, I hope 2012 is filled with adventure, excitement, and Love.  I know I'm excited for it.  A new baby in May (Logan Max, my newest nephew!!!!!) and so much more to look forward to.  I will strive to be positive, keep growing in the things I love and put the old aside.  Most of all I will pray not for the same old, same old of healing (that's not working anyway) but just for an answer.  God's Blessings to all in this new venture!

Enjoy!!!!!

Home Made Christmas

This year due to time constraints, laziness, my love of crafts and lack of cash; I decided to do mostly home made gifts for Christmas.  I am pleased that most of them seemed to be well received.  I had grander plans than what was actually accomplished in the end, but then again I always do.   Timing was not a friend of mine and between not feeling well and frequent trips to the Medical Center, I just wasn't able to accomplish quite what I wanted.  Maybe next year.  I will try to start planning earlier.

I will say though, that what I did make, I am fairly happy with and I hope the recipients enjoyed.  In the coming weeks as I (hopefully) continue to feel somewhat well (I can eat, my pain level is much decreased and I am not peeing every 30 minutes!!!!) I will try to finish some gifts I had hoped to make.  Christmas just may end up being extended this year!

So, here they are.  Some pictures of my home made Christmas gifts.  Hope you like them!

Megan's Tye Dye Shirt.  It was supposed to look like a flower.  It didn't come out quite right.

Angela's Tye Dye.  Same concept as above.

Mom's shirt.  She wanted lots of spirals.

Dad's.  Scarlet and Grey for the Buckeye's.

Phillip's

Andy's

Mom on Christmas Eve with the pillow I made her.  The front was 4 panels of embroidery.  Two Crosses, a butterfly and a pretty swirl design.  The back was a beautiful black fabric with frogs and flowers.

Kayla opening the Fairy house I made her.  I used a large rectangular plant box lined it with faux leaves, moss, flowers, etc.  Then glued in some pretty pins my Mom found (for bling), made a chair out of walnut shells and sticks, made a mini blanket and pillow (fairy sized) and decorated the exterior with more bling and flowers.  I hope she likes it!

Super Paul!  Paul wearing one of his capes.  This one is Spider Man on one side and bright green 'camo' on the other.  He loved it and walked around with it on for the longest time.  So cute!!!!

Kayla with her cape.  This side is Scottie dogs and the other is green flowers and frogs.  A princess, superwoman, or whatever she wants to be.  Beautiful to boot!

Wonder Nick!  He was trying to look like he was about to take off in flight!  Spider man on one side (to have one at least to match his brother) and sports on the other.

Paul's second cape.  Trains and dinos!  Love this one. 

Nick's second cape.  Black ops and a real camo on the other side.  I really enjoyed making these!

The capes and fairy house were my favorite projects.  I am also working on a purse I need to finish for my Mom and a tie for my Dad.  I will be posting a tutorial and instructions for the capes.  The kids really seemed to like them and I am THRILLED with that.  They got so many toys and I wanted to give them something different, hand made, and something to inspire imaginative play.  I think that is going to be my new moto.  Imaginative play for everyone!  Goodnight all!