Busy hands

 While I have not been blogging, I certainly have not been idle. I ended up taking Bry out of school last year and homeschooling through the public schools extension program. It was necessary for him to be removed from the middle school environment before he was eaten alive! The public / home school extension has teachers on staff who teach classes, you can put your child in the classes part time, or full time. I chose part time. I had him in his math, science, and reading classes. Parents are required to be on campus during class hours, so I had to cut my hours at work. I don't sit still very well, so I found a way to occupy myself.

 As I worked, I found that I really enjoy making bags that are not like any other you see on the internet. If you google Plarn or plastic crochet, you get Plain Jane plastic tote bags that are made without much thought to design or colors. I put out the word that I needed peoples plastic bags, and they came to me by the hundreds.

  Most of my bags sold as soon as they were completed. I even took in several special orders. This kept me busy, and made up a bit of the lost income (just a tiny bit). But most importantly, it was a portable expression of my "artistic side". I barely made it out to the gardens this year, so My weeds grew like a garden! I did manage to completely rework the front yard and side beds before winter though.

Yes, I actually moved all the plants that had been growing for several years, and totally rearranged the front yard. My idea was to close in the front from the sidewalk and afford a bit more privacy. I actually did it because I cannot stand the HOA president here, and maybe, just a little bit of me wanted to see if they would write me up... (They had written me up because my gardens needed to be weeded)... 

Well, they had a special meeting because my husband had removed a tree that was dropping nasty sap all over our cars, but had not replaced it yet. I received a call from a friend on the board who said the HOA president was actually filing a complaint with the city over it. Well... The city told my husband that there were no rules about there HAVING to be a tree there. BUT if he planted one, he had to use the root barrier system to keep the roots from buckling the sidewalk. Of course there were none there to begin with with the original tree. I did get a beautiful little dogwood out of the deal. My husband said he could deal with trees that drop flowers much better than those that drop sap.

Of course it will take a long time to reach the size of the original tree. I had been nurturing it for the last 11 years since buying the house. Mine were the tallest, fullest and prettiest on the street (IMHO).

I saved the best for last. 

I QUIT SMOKING!!!!!

my last cigarette was Sunday, August 7, 2011.

I have had to learn how to "DEAL" with life all over again.

I have been medicating myself with nicotine for 26 years. 

This is the hardest thing I have EVER done. 

EVER

Seriously!!!

I thought I would kill someone.

 Or die trying.

BUT

 We survived the hardest part.

Every day I make the decision not to smoke

several times a day.

I hope it gets easier.

Oh,  My sister is on her 17th round of Chemo this time. We don't know how many more. 

She did radiation first, and they did a surgery between, and it almost killed her.

But she is amazing. She keeps fighting.

Here she is "modeling" a hat and scarf I made her. 

Funny girl.

Some of the things we have accomplished this spring,

Darian started driving...

And Graduated High School.

Since we are going to need lots of money for college, I have been cranking these babies out! I designed a new look, It is more of a book bag than a grocery bag. Thinking about college age people you know...

I got the yard cleaned up, The weeds were growing like a garden!

My brother installed my oak stairs.

And we threw a party!

With a few of his besties coming to celebrate with him!

It did not rain on the party, but it was cold, so that beautiful fire pit came in handy!

I have more catching up to do, but it looks like this post is all about graduation, so I will leave it at that.

I hope you are well!

Sorry I abandoned you all spring!

Pick yours!

That is right, I said pick your plastic bag creation.

I am ready!

On Sunday, March 7th, I am giving away one of these plastic bag baskets. (or shopping bag).

To my faithful followers.

and / or commenters.

Here is how to play.

1. Blog about my giveaway on your own blog. (I am sorry, I do not have a fancy button.)

2. Tell me if you are a follower. (Followers prior to this announcement have been noted, and are already entered once.)

3. Tell me which creation you would like to win.

One entry for each of the three above rules.

Large shopping bag.

Medium girls purse.

Small (Easter) basket

Small black and white basket.

Or the large tan, white and gray basket.

Don't forget these....

I decided that since I have two already, I am sending you THREE of this cannister!!!

I may be throwing in a few other special little thingamajigs.

(To recap, That is your bag of choice, AND the three cannisters!!!)

Have fun!

See you after the Sunday performance!

(Yeah, I need to be gone that long!)

Please make sure I have a way of contacting you!

If your comments are not linked to your e-mail, then make sure you leave a blog address.

(I try to answer comments, but some are to noreplyblogger.com)

Karyn

Edited: March 12, 2010
To all of my new visitors from remodelaholic, I am so sorry, but the giveaway is over. Please consider following me so you will know when I have another. Therese at Musing of a Mom won and she chose the large shopping bag.
Keep coming back.
Karyn

I was featured this week

I entered the basket I made in a few linky parties, and I guess people liked it because I was featured.

Here,

and
Here,

All because I turn These

Into These,
No wonder I love this community!!!

Shopping, My Favorite Pastime!

No, Literally, I am taking you shopping at Favorite Pastimes in Arlington Wa.

I stop in every week, even if I am not buying (or not intending to anyways).

It is owned by my friend Marian, and she or her daughter (my new best helper) are there every day.

Nice Family!

We went to high school together, I think she looks younger!

Anyways, Marian bought the store last year, and has added her own touch to it.

so, come in and look around.

Oh, darn, you cannot see that this is a possum bellied cabinet.

I guess my photography skills are a little lacking.

One of the things I LOVE about Marians store is that she has so many items from local artists.

This is called a fret piece. The artist carves it by hand, no lasers, and he frets over it until he feels it is finished.

framed yoyo art

The Treadle tables and refurbished lamps are built by her husband.

Now, two of my favorite artists also have items here.

ME

and

My Mommy!

Oh, and I need to hurry up and do my kitchen, cuz next time I have the few extra dollars, These really want to come home with me...

It says, "made with Love"!

So, When are you coming to Arlington Wa?

I will take you into my favorite store!

Real life gets in the way!

Oh, how I love showing you the After pictures, So I think I will!

They are so much happier than the Before Pictures!

That is the floor of my spare bedroom.

The room that is supposed to by MINE!

I want it to be my creaft room, Sewing space, Scrapbook room.

BUT IN REALITY, it is the don't know where this goes, throw it in there room.

Does it look any less disgusting if the picture is tiny?

In an attempt to clean up my act, I installed a closet system on the wall.

There is a table I painted white a few years ago. I thought it had great legs, but the top is BAD!

If I had room on it, I could use my sewing machine there!

This is going to seem like I am changing the subject for a moment, but you will get it in a minute.

I tell my sons there is always a way to earn money, you just have to be willing to do WORK!

People will often pay to have done what they don't have time or ability to do.

I don't have the ability to organize.

I have lots of time, but It just isn't easy for me to do. I get distracted, (SQUIRREL)

Remember It took me TWO DAYS to get my kitchen cleaned and organized.

and another to uncover my dining room table after cleaning and organizing my kitchen.

As a massage Therapist, my work has slowed as people are trying to meet their deductibles.

But, I still have more than most, and especially since most of my young friends cannot even get work in the fast food, retail entry level jobs. I know it isn't my responsibility to save the world, but I can help one person at a time right?

This is a sweet young friend in my life.

She works part time in her mothers store, but doesn't have a steady income, so the other day when she asked if she could do some cleaning for me, I thought for a split second and agreed.

We worked together today, organizing, labeling, sorting tossing, bagging, removing, relocating, and hanging all the extra pictures stacked, stuffed, and slipped into that room.

I found some real treasures in the bottom of that mess.

Like this...

It was hiding under the stuff boys have outgrown. It once had a place in my living room, but three rambunctious boys, it didn't last in there. Now it lights my work table.

Speaking of my work table, take a gander at this!

Yep, that is my sewing machine sitting on the table!

See those two tubs by the window? Guess what is in those?

really, it just looks like alot, It is probably enough to make 3 or 4 tote bags.

Notice the plethera of pictures in the room? I like to change the pictures in the living room  ALOT!

I have decorators ADHD

Well, Amber pulled them out of the piles on the floor and started hanging them up around the room.

DUH, Walls for pictures? Who woulda thunkit?

Alright, I think I got the better end of the deal.

I paid her a VERY fair wage, and now, my room is ready for me to start a project.

If I need to stop in the middle of a project, I can just close the door.

I don't have to clear the table to serve dinner.

YAY ME!

Speaking of new projects, I am thinking of one that uses both the plastic bags, and the sewing machine. What is it? You are just going to have to wait and see!

Karyn