Happy Friday! Hope your week is going well! As you may have been a Snowman kick!Once I made a few, I decided since I've got Stuff all over the place, I might as well make a few more...........

The hats take almost as long to make as the Snowmen! Last nite I got Mica all over my keyboard and the letters starting sticking,,,,,not such a good idea! Still working on a better diet and more walking every night, starting to feel my energy improve! Although I'd love to lose a few pounds, I'm primarily doing it just to feel better and get stronger! Our continued sunny weather has helped keep me motivated! I'm sure we're going to be Hopping at Joyworks this weekend, Tons of cute new stuff in and we're all decked out with Halloween and Harvest.....Great time to stop in and see us! Classic Car Show is Sunday though,so plan ahead for Parking!! Have a GREAT weekend whatever you do! Hugs, Love and a Bountiful "Bus" on the Cheek! Shell

Oh yeah, and I finally got my Etsy Site Back up and running! I'll be adding many items in the next couple of weeks.. More Holiday but also some Vintage and Antique items as well as a few Supplies.....

I got caught up today In a book,,,,,,,But did manage to finish a couple of Aqua Snowmen......

The Book? I a new release by Jonathan Hull The Devoted. As an avid reader I'd have to say that his prose is surpassed only by a few "Greats." His first book, "Losing Julia" is one of my all time Favorites. I'm about 3/4 done (Started it this morning and couldn't put it down) I'll give you a "Review" tomorrow or Friday, you might want to pick this one up!! As part of my "get healthier" plan, Long doggie walk shortly! We're still experiencing dry, warm days here,,,My favorite time of year! Hope you're enjoying the start of Fall too! Hugs love and a Bookworm's Bus!! Shell

(Link to "The Devoted" if you want to learn more!) I've killed two Kindle's but I think you can read a Sample,,,,,you will NOT be disappointed!)

Happy Tuesday! Worked on a few more "Snow Friends" today...Fun to watch each of them kind of develop their own "Personality",,,,,If you've ever created a "face," you know what I mean..They start out as a blob, a circle and it just goes from there as you add the eyes, the nose, the smile and it just kinds of goes from there..... These aren't major works of art, but i just hope they make people smile!

As most of you know, I don't "Do" traditional red and green for the Holidays,,,,,I tend to do neutrals and pastels....

I always love Polka Dots,,,,this one just makes me happy. She's got Vintage glass beads and "arms" holding the "Let It Snow" sign. I'm going to reactivate my Etsy site soon. So if you're interested, and there are several other "Snow Friends" in the works. In Aqua's and Neutrals also,,,,will keep you posted! Hope your week is going well! I hope to catch up with some of you in the next day or two! The days are going SO fast! Hugs Love and a "Friendly" Bus on the Cheek! Shell

Started working on some,,,,dare I say it, Christmas, today! Ackkk! Here's a little Snowman box,,,,and they'll be more to follow. The photo looks more Grey than Green,,,,,I guess I need to adjust my lighting now that the light levels are getting lower,,,,,

Vintage Wallpaper/Paperclay head, Tulle,,,,,,More to follow! Hope you're all doing well, this is SUCH a busy time of year in so many ways! Looking forward to some days when we don't have to chose between OUTSIDE chores and Inside Chores! Hugs, Love and a "Heads Up" Bus! Shell (If you've noticed the "Button on the top of my sidebar, stay tuned,,,,I'm working on an Email Event for next month,,details to follow!)

Finished a custom crown for a one year old yesterday,,,,,,,,love this old wallpaper, wish I had more to play with! Have a great day! Hugs, Love and a "bloomin'" Bus! Shell

My Karl,,,,,,18 years ago

A Personal Post,,,,"My Karl." Eighteen years later......

(Our wedding in June 1994, 3 months before his death)

I don't stop and count the years anymore. I used to. Now I still think of my dear Karl all the time in little things. An image, a memory, a laugh, a song, an old Movie. It was SO ironic, that he came to mind on Saturday,,,,,,When after the Island Chicks show, driving home,,,,,,I saw the Mountains......that we flew over on a getaway weekend to the San Juan Islands,,,,,to Roache Harbor, where he proposed,,,,,some 16 years after we first met.

(This is a re-print of my image taken on Saturday) But this is basically where he and I spend our time when we FIRST met when I was 21. He wasn't a Pilot then, but we sailed and lived aboard a 32' sailboat. He was worldly, intelligent, driven and the father of two little kids ,,,,3 and 4. And I fell in love with them at first site.....
But I wasn't READY,,,,,,,,ready to Marry, take on kids,,,,,and more importantly he still had "issues" with his ex. He tried to reconcile. I tried to Marry someone else.
We parted and made separate lives,,,,for years,,,,,,and years....

And 16 years later, we "found" each other! He pursued me,,,,,,I resisted. He'd leave messages with my secretary,,,,"Wanna go flying?" Moi: "No, I'm seeing someone else." Him: "Want to have lunch?" Me,,,,(thinking your charming and handsome, but NO.) "I don't have time." Him: "Let's have dinner." Me: "Okay" (Me, thinking, I am SO in trouble!) I knew in my heart of hearts, once I agreed to have dinner with him, THAT was it! And it was.......

I WAS ready THIS time,,,and he was so GOOD with my young boys, my Mom, and treated me like a queen. Always. Always. He was SO intelligent, kind, funny, loving, caring, sharing and I lost my heart,,,,THIS time for real! A year later, we were married.....That was June 11, 1994. He died 3 months later September 17, 1994.

I asked myself for years, WHY? Why we got back together after all those years,,,Why he died so young,,,,,a Million questions to God. I would give the world, my heart and soul to have him back. But I know God had a different plan. His death changed me. It changed me for the better, I know that now. I look at life differently. I don't "sweat" the small stuff. I think I love deeper, care more and have a perspective that I HOPE at times I reflect on others.

I'll always, always MISS my Amazing Karl. I think sometimes about how our life would be NOW,,,,after his first grandchild has arrived,,,,How we would grow old together,,,,But it wasn't meant to be....He still helped make me the person I've become. And I hope his passing has made me a better friend, mother, member of the community and world!

Big Smiles through the tears,,,It was a lovely "ride"-Both Times!

Hugs, love and a "Memorable" Bus!
Shell