One of those mornings...

None of our went off this morning for some reason.

So I rolled out of
quite late. Realizing I only had 20 minutes to get Calli ready for school. And she was still sleeping! That NEVER happens either. (she's up before the sun normally!)
Sooo.. got teeth brushed, got her dressed and fed, and hair brushed and we had less than 2 minutes to get her to school. So for the first time ever i figured it didn't matter that i was still wearing my

And my

just to take her two blocks to

and since i was just going to drop her off at the curb, it didn't matter THAT much that my hair looked like this....

I'm sure you moms have been in that situation before, riiigghhtt??

Well..... who knew that TODAY would be the day that my mommy van decided to bite the dust?

And have a little electrical fire on the way back home??

There was literally about that much smoke! I can still taste it in my throat.. it's such a stinky acrid smell.. burning rubber and electrical malfunction... snot good!

There i was.

Standing out there in my jammies and slippers.

Hair doin it's own freaky wacked out thing.

Car smokin away

Cars driving by and staring

me freaking out

just a little

praying flames didn't start to leap out of the hood, and praying it was just smoke

(because that makes sense, right? there's not always fire where there's smoke - right? right?)

Called danny in a bit of a panic

i was only about a block from our house

honey.. i think my car is on fire!?

can you come??

he raced over and saved the day!

my hero!!

then he ran home and grabbed some rope, and rope towed me the block to the house.

and then i called the

and now my poor mommy van is sitting at the dealership, waiting to be looked at.

still no news on what happened, or how much it will be to fix.

ugh

at least it wasn't snowing!

and thankful that it wasn't worse - like flames leaping!

and of course

that i had jammie PANTS on, and not jammie SHORTS!! :p

and Jesus had my back yet again!

very thankful i wasn't on a busy street when it happened

where i wouldn't have been able to pull over so quickly and kill the engine.

oh wait.. kill's probably not a great word choice.

STOP the engine. yah. that's better.

So all in all i am just thankful it wasn't worse!

but for now, just waiting to hear how my old faithful van is doin!

Hope you have a blessed day!

And remember.. that ONE time you decide it really won't matter if you don't get dressed to run an errand.... you can bet that THAT IS when the odds'll change!!

LOLOLOL!

Prom Date Pics

Yay! I just got the pics from prom night - the guys with their dates! I have saved the pictures huge, so I can get prints made.. so only putting my three favorites up here for you to get a little peek. Isn't Gavin's date, Kay, just darling??!!!?

Giveaway heads up

Michelle Allen over at Allen Designs is having a fun goody giveaway!

If you have never seen her stuff - now is a great time to go over and take a peek! Her designs are sooo fun and whimsical, and they just automatically make you smile! You can click on the picture below, to take you to her give away. But also make sure to check out her etsy store - on her side bar - she's having a great reduction sale right now on some of the funkiest, cutest clocks i have ever seen!! (I desperately want to get the princess and the pea clock for Calli's room!! But my budget won't allow it right now, as we have a bunch of home renovations (gutters and fence are two biggies) we need to do this spring. Sadness!) Anyway, just because I can't, doesn't mean ya'll won't find something!! AND sign up for her free giveaway! :D Hope you have a wonderful day!! :)

Channeling Bugsy Malone

Gavin's prom... his tux that we FINALLY got put together (and upgraded). Gavin added the hat - as he felt like 1920's gangster! He even got his paintball gun and posed - channeling Bugsy Malone. LOL!

He came up and asked me "have you ever seen a million bucks?" "you have now!!!" :D

And he's blaring "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top.

Yup... it all worked out! AND we got the corsages!!!!!! woohooo!!

Did I mention Gavin (almost 18) still likes to play dress up?? :D

Zowie he looks great!!!!

I can't wait to get pics of him and his date!!

Evil Prom 2008

Well today is Gav's prom.
Yesterday was THE longest day. LOL
They LOST his tux.
You know, the one he planned for, saved for, and went in 4 weeks ago to get fitted and ordered? And PAID for?
Snot here. Snot coming.
And he's leaving at noon today to meet his friends.
Needless to say it was a wee bit stressful trying to get something pulled together at the last minute.
Oh.. and the corsage and boutineer... we're HOPING they will have one... ugh.. he went to order it 4 weeks ago.. they said "we're not taking orders until two weeks before the prom" he went a DAY after that day to order and they said "oh sorry, we're over booked for corsages. But we'll have extras on hand the day of the prom" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ???????????????????? Are you kidding??

This is how the ENTIRE prom planning has gone. It has become known as the evil prom. lol Another example... 6 weeks ago gave his buddy $200 for the limo (his hard earned money) the very next day the dude had his identity stolen and his bank account was drained.
Say bubbye to the limo.
Scrambling to find a "cool ride" for the next few weeks... oy vay.. and the answer they came up with then dominoed into more issues.
Yah. Shoot me now. LOL And gav is ready to be hanged and gutted! Poor guy!!
BUT goodness prevails!!!!!!!!!!
We DID get him a tux yesterday, thank the Lord! AND it looks wayyy sharp.
So at least he won't be neked! hahaha!I need to go and help him do his hair now. (Ok... never thought I would EVER in my lifetime say that about one of my sons! hahaha!)

Busy being a mom!

Hiya!

So not much time this week to blog with anything fun, too busy being a mom!

My 5yr old Calli, developed croup last monday :( she's really suseptable to it since getting it as a baby. And i think out of all the sickies my kids have had, croup does me in as a mom! I just want to cry every time she coughs and hurts - it even sounds painful! So just got back from the doctor's today. Seems like one office visit takes the whole day anymore! Sheesh.

My oldest son Gavin is getting geared up for prom this Saturday. Oh buy! oops.. i meant BOY!
Granted, boys aren't normally as prissy and self absorbed as girls are at this time... LOL... but they ARE still very absorbed in every little detail to make it a great night for them and their date! And Gav has had his share of run arounds this year with the people he is going with. Apparently one of the guys' dates is VERY high maintenance!! LOL Kinda a bummer for everyone involved!


He has grown his hair out... umm... no comment.... (this is a matter of pick your battles wisely, to win the war!!) .... and he actually asked me if i had a hair straightening iron yesterday!! bhahahahaha!!!!! THAT cracked me up!


Also gearing up for graduation, and taking care of all the details on that. All the last minute stuff. Wow - i just can't believe he's graduating high school already!!!! :(

Getting the kids signed up for swim lessons, and karate this summer. Looking for a softball league that's not thru the parks and rec... not having much luck!


Emily is in girls basketball and is doing really good! Learning to be a good teammate, as well as a good athlete - some tough lessons, but invaluable ones!
She has games every other day during the week.

Bailey plays after school and before school intermurals everyday, since he's not allowed to do sports until next year (via the school).



They have youth group every Wednesday, so i'm always hustling to have a fast dinner ready to hit the table at 4:45 or 5pm so we can get out of here on time.


Trying to get the house back in order after spazzing for a couple of weeks getting geared up for the hook-in. I'm mostly there! LOL!


I still need to wash windows inside and out,

do yard work (needs it terribly) and some major spring cleaning to get rid of "stuff" !

( no.. not really our yard!)

I'm struggling not to get the crud that is going around, and now consequently in our house, and i can feel it trying to come on. :(
Battling to stay healthy and not get hit with it!!


So yah. All your basic mom stuff, just in high gear! :)



This is who i think i feel like i signed up to be most days...
(too bad i don't look as good as her!! LOL!)


But in actuality... i feel more like this..



and definitely THIS!!

Hope you have a great week!

I have been hankerin for this..

this for WEEKS now! I think it's time I do something about this craving!! mmmmmmmmmm!!

Blessings!

Nebraska Hookin Pics

Nebraska Hook-in - Click here !!

Follow this link for some more awesome rugs!! More eye candy!! Gotta love it!! :D
My friend Cammie Bruce who hosts the Lincoln, NE hook-in, has posted some wonderful pictures of their Spring Hook-in and all the wonderful rugs!
If you have any questions about them, you can contact her through her website www.BasketsofWool.com .
ENJOY!! :D

This made me laugh

This hit my funny bone this morning!! :D

If you were around in 1919 (just before prohibition
started) and came upon the following poster........

Why would you quit drinking?

10th Annual Denver Hook-in

The 10th Annual Denver Hook-in..... A great time was had by all!

Below are pictures of the rug show - all rugs that people brought to share! Wow!!! Talk about a room full of inspiration and talent!!

My camera battery decided it just wasn't up to more pics, when I was about half way through the room :( So I real quick snapped several pics in groups, instead of individually!! I don't have the names on many of them - just can't make them out on the bigger pictures. So please.. if you know who hooked these with no names, email me and let me know and i will get their names on them asap!!

I hope you enjoy the picture show!! None of the pics do the actual rugs justice though!! :(

Hookin'... shoppin'... eatin'... gabbin'.... and yes.. even chocolate!!!

Can it get any better???!!

These are pictures of the floor in the Rustic Rugs booth. Judy Cripps had all her rugs laid out in front of her booth - GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!

Aren't they all adorable?!! Just like Judy herself!

This year they honored a Colorado Hooker for her amazing artistry, caring giving and sharing attitude, and just all around sweetness!! The above picture is about when my camera decided to say it was on it's last life - of course! All of the above rugs in the display were designed and hooked by Cheryl Bollenbach. (I have a copule shots of the Eve rug from another event - and NO picture can do this rug justice!!! I will share them in another post - perhaps tomorrow? You will be AMAZED at what she did on this rug!! Just wait till you see!!) I'm just thrilled that Cheryl received this honor! She soo deserves it!!!! :D

The chickens in the top of the pic were hooked by Kristie Meuller, and i 'think' the little horse was hooked by Julie Crotty, and Judy Zelenski hooked the darling hedgehogs.

Punkins hooked by Julie Crotty

These two - above and below are Julie Crotty's also. :)

How fun is this?! This was hooked and designed by Cathy Yarbrough. Look at the toes ! :)

This creative piece was hooked and designed by Dawn Cody :)

I can't read the names on these?? :(

This halloween rug was designed and hooked by Cathy Yarbrough Sooo fun!

This is a large piece, hooked by Karen Lisle

Roosters hooked by Sandy (can't read last name?) Moose hooked by Jane Washburn, and i cannot read the tag on the sheep and hearts :(

snowman hooked by Karen Lisle

Grrr can't fully read the tag on this one either :( All i can see is that it is her own design.

Flower basket hooked by Kristie Meuller

Sheepie hooked by Kathy Wadlington

Gameboard above and crows below hooked by Kathy Wadlington

Animal menagerie hooked by Kathy Wadlington

I 'think' this tulip cross was hooked by Linda Carpenter - please correct me if i'm wrong!

Redwork sampler hooked and designed by Nola Heidbredder (sp? one d or two?)

winter pictorial hooked by Linda Carpenter

Bottom rug hooked by Cathy Kelly, I don't know about the top one?



Bunny on chick hooked by Melody Gardener




This gorgeous piece - Bradley Primitive, was hooked by Ginny Waldera. This is a big rug! And I love the colors in this one!!

I don't have names for any of these, except the two chairs that were designed and hooked by

Sue Rust. If you know the names on the others please let me know!!

Ooh i do know that that sunflower mat in the corner was hooked by Cathy Yarbrough in Nola's class. This was the last picture I got before the camera went kaput! So wasn't able to get any close ups of any of these :(

Moon and sun hooked by Sandy Walker

punkins - blue punkins! hooked by Sandy Walker

floral runner hooked by Sandy Walker

stars hooked by Sue Rust

bunnies and eggs hooked by Sue Rust






Thank you ladies for letting me share your rugs!! And thank you for being such a wonderful group of people!! I am so lucky to be in the midst of all your talent!!!!!

xoxo

bren :)

The day after...

Hiya!
Well... it's the day after the hook-in. :)
I'm TIRED. LOL
My house looks like a tornado went through it. Rugs missing off walls, things brought in from last night, just sitting there waiting for me to put them away today. My mess from the week of working on stuff.... apparently the good fairies didn't get my request for help last week... cuz they haven't shown up yet! Ahh well.
It's all good!
Once my body says it's ready to move again, I shall attack it all with a vengance.
The hook-in was a great time! The gals that put it on this year did a fabulous job!! They provided a wonderful lunch, a great rug show, everything was very organized, darling little baskets of wool flowers on each table, a silent auction, and a bunch of great vendors!

I want to post pics from the rug show - it was WONDERFUL!!!! But i'm not sure if it's ok to do that without each person's permission? I just got done emailing a few friends that were there to see if i can post their pics... and any of you colorado gals that participated in the show and are reading this - can i show yours too???

My daughter Emily came with us yesterday. She wanted to participate in this so badly!! Bless her heart!! I knew it would be a great experience for her.. but wasn't sure if she would be able to handle money and tickets... so taught her how, and told her to practice a bit and i would "test" her. This WONDERFUL girl just went to town, writing tickets and practicing making change, until her eyes were crossing!! LOL!! She really surprised me!!
So I tested her... and even made it confusing on purpose towards the end (cuz.. hello... real life under pressure can be confusing!) and she passed with flying colors!

Soooooooo she got to come with us and help! Oh MY GOSH!! Did she ever just blow me away!!!
I cannot tell you how proud of her i am!! Talk about a hard worker!! And dedicated to the cause!! She did wonderful under pressure, handled herself very well, dealt with the customers wonderfully and was just plain AMAZING!!! I WAS IMPRESSED!!! :)
And I think everyone who met her, was too! Wayyyy to goooo Em!!!!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!

I probably don't have to say that she will be invited to join us any time she wants to!!!!!!! She was such an incredible help!!


Ok.. in the interim of waiting to see if i can post pics of the rug show... i can show you this AMAZING piece!!
This was a true ROOM SIZE rug! I couldn't get it all in the picture. Do you see the table behind it, with 6- 8 people to a table? This was so amazing to me!! Done in three lonnggg strips... to be joined together and hooking overlapping to finish it and put it together.... i don't know if you can see, how those blocks will join together? Every other square was hit or miss blocks, and every other was a flower - beautifully shaded and just amazing! The woman that hooked this, worked on it for 30 years!!!!!!!!!!!!! In a NUMBER 3 CUT!!!!!!!! Holy shamoly!!!!!!! I was speechless! They were auctioning this rug, with the wool already cut and bagged to complete it. Starting bid was something rediculously low .. like $350?? I don't know if anyone took the challenge on?
I personally think this piece needs to be in a museum, being HONORED !! It's in incredible shape.. absolutely perfect... and wow.. 30 years of someone's life poured into it!
Let me just say... there is not one repeat to any of the flowers!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!

Keep your eyes open for more pics.. if i am given permission!!

xo

bren

Eye Candy

In need of some awesome eye candy?? Head on over to Lori's blog!!
Make sure you have a towel, or a napkin handy to wipe up the drool when you're done! :D

What i've been doing lately...

Well I haven't been blogging very much lately. I have been ultra busy getting orders done and shipped out, and getting geared up for the hook-in.

My family is so amazingly supportive during those spaztic weeks that i am gearing up for an event! They put up with the smell of wet wool and vinegar, and an amazingly messy kitchen with wool strewn all over the floor waiting to be dyed... little burners on the counters and a multitude of pots.. and a very tired mom who by 5 pm has no energy left to cook dinner! They know what hard work dying is, and when i am dying from 8am - 5pm and can barely move at the end of the day they all pitch in to figure out what's for dinner! How AWESOME are they??!!


Danny brought home pizza one night, and steaks another night and grilled them up for us. While i'm shlepping around in my grungy "dye clothes" (now wonderfully multi colored! LOL) lifting heavy pots and wringing out wet wool!

I am just about ready for the show. woohoo!!! I have dyed 85 yards of wool, washed cut and tagged 46 yards of as is wools, drawn out over 40 patterns, collated, folded and stapled 100 catalogs, cut and serged linen pieces, put together 4 kits, and priced everything. I still have to dye about 15-20 more yards, and I have another 15 patterns to draw and then i think i am done!!!!!! Waahooo!! The hook-in is this coming Saturday, and I think i can have everything done, and organized by friday! :D

In the meantime, I have not been hooking much! LOL
Snot a whole lot of time left in the day to sit and enjoy hooking the day away!

But, I am participating in 3 challenges currently. One is the big honkin 5' by 6' rug. It has been set aside for the time being until i decide on what i want to do with the borders. And I think, as of last night I might have decided!!! Yay! I was working on the hit or miss challenge, and using the idea of what i thought might work for the big rug - so it's kind of serving two purposes! I like how the little mat is turning out, and i will just tweak it a bit for a honkin border! I will post pics of the hit or miss mat next month when I am allowed.

What I CAN show you today is a picture of a little mat I did for the New Life Challenge.
We were challenged to make a mat 12 x20 depicting what the words "New Life" meant to us.
Oh wow. My immediate reaction to those words was new life in Christ!! But how to depict that in a small rug??? Without it looking horrible and hacking the true meaning? So I tried to think in a more open minded sense.... spring... kids... and a thought came to me...

my 5 year old daughter is a new life!! A walking talking rambunctious precarious new life! LOL! What could mean new life more than seeing life thru the eyes of a child??

So i asked HER what the words "New Life" meant to her?
She said JESUS!!!! (lol she didn't fall too far from the tree! Good girl!!)
And I said - what else?? She put her little mind to thinking and said babies and spring! And I asked her to draw me a picture of those things. Here it is...




And here is the mat that I hooked from her drawing! This was an absolute challenge for me by the way!! LOL!! I had to hook those little flowers and birds (YES those are birds! haha! a mama bird and a baby bird to be exact! ) in a #4 !!!!!! omgosh! I can officially say i stink at the smaller cuts! LOL! And using bright solid wools - not my comfort zone of drabby textures!

Now...... i just gotta fill you in on a few things! LOL
That is a Mama and baby bird (donchya just love how they have beaks AND faces? and three legs? lol). Those V's up in the clouds are more birds. I added the cross to the mat, even though she didn't put it in her drawing, since she originally said Jesus - I thought it appropriate to add it in (a little artistic liscence lol)

Now - do you see that little blue house looking thing? :)
I was almost done hooking this and Calli came over and was oohing and aahing over it, and just tickled pink that mommy was hooking her drawing! She pointed out a few things to make sure i didn't leave them out... and was feeling mighty proud of herself! Emily comes over and says "awww how cute! I like that little birdhouse too!" - to which Calli indignantly says.........
"Emily!! That's NOT a house!"

both Emily and I said "IT'S NOT???!!??"

(oh dear i thought it was a house too! lol)

Calli set us both straight and said, " No silly! It's an arrow telling the birds to GO UP, so they don't run into the tree!!!!"

bahahahahahaaaaaa!!!!!!!!
Tooooo funny!! :P
So.... i am going to hook a big flat black border, to look like a purchased frame, and finish it up in time to give it to her for her birthday in May - with of course a lable on the back that tells the reasoning behind the rug - arrow and all! :D