HELLO FROM NORTH CAROLINA

I am posting this from a PC that I had shipped with all my MESS from Tucson. I had not "used" this PC in over 2 years and it sure is much slower and "different" than the laptop I have gotten "spoiled" with. The darned thing WORKS though which is INCREDIBLE since I bought it in 2003 from a wonderful friend who built it for me. He knows who he is!!! Thanks BOB!

I cannot believe how time has just FLOWN BY since my big move in July! There was the ten day trip by auto with Kitty and Grandson Mylz then the hectic pace of getting a new residence while bumming off my daughter, her man and my grandkids for a month. Now it is these piles and piles of boxes still blessing my garage and storage room not to mention their contents which must find a home either inside the house or in the stash for Garage Sale.

The house I bought, me and Fannie Mae, is 1000 sq ft SMALLER than my Mother's home. Now it's kinda like trying to fit a whale in a sardine can. BUT it's MY SARDINE CAN and I am a mere 3 miles from my daughter & family & see the grandchildren nearly every day!!! YAY!!!!!

I am trying to get all my BEADS and YARN located and organized which might takes years if not DECADES! I found "some" of my Christmas decorations and found a place to erect my 3 foot prelit artificial tree (on my former kitchen table in the Craft room). The most splendid part is I finally get to SHARE my Holidays with the little Family I have here....not what I have but WHO I am with!!!

Must admit I splurged on a couple of purchases for which I will be in hock for a long while...new 46" SMART TV, new 'he' washer and dryer and the house came with a marvelous side by side Samsung computerized refrigerator & high end Kenmore range/oven/microwave that are only 2 years old. So I am very "comfortable" in my new digs.

Been keeping busy knitting now that the cold weather is nearly here. Joined this fabulous group of knitters/crocheters that meet at the local Yarn Shop where I teach an occasional Bead Crochet class. A Row of Purls is the shop's name and our "group knit ins" are twice a week, Monday and Friday evenings. I usually get to just the Monday gatherings as Fridays are reserved for grandchild sleep overs at MY house.

The climate is not messing with my osteoarthritis nearly as much as I thought it would. I am staying pretty active compared the "life of a slug" that I used to lead in Tucson, AZ. Yes, it is more humid, which means my skin is soooooo much happier! People here think LOW Humidity is in the 30% range....HA HA HA...Tucson's average is about 10% I believe!

The people here in Fayetteville, NC are SUPER!! I have the Sweetest Next Door Neighbor Lady who has been a Godsend on Gardening Help!! I acquired a HUGE yard and Lots 'O Plants and Trees that this Desert Rat is gonna need a huge amount of assistance in what to do about it all!!! Especially come early Spring planting time!

The Travel Cat, Squeakers is VERY HAPPY in her new "nest" especially since familiar furniture came in. She is not too "pleased" that we have two "outdoor" cats from next door that like to hang around our front porch and yard. She is especially "miffed" when she sees them rubbing up against me when I am outside doing yardwork or whatever. She trys to tear them apart through our insulated, double paned windows to no avail. HA HA poor Squeakers! She was an AMAZING Travel companion on the LOOOOOONG drive here. She gave us NO GRIEF!!!

So that's about all for this Post. Will get some photos up from the Laptop shortly. Sorry this has been so BORING a BLOG for such a long while...maybe it will improve in time...I HOPE! HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!

MY TRAVELS!!

This AWESOME Guy is my grandson, Mylz! He is the older brother (eleven) to the Little Doll in the previous post!! He is also now here in Tucson, AZ and all set to pursue the Adventure of the Open Road with his grandma and Squeakers the kitty....we are having a BLAST of a time getting prepared for this SOJOURN on the highways of America.

In a mere 6 days, the Bekins men will arrive at my door to pack it all up..then on July 19th, 2011 the big moving van pulls up, Loads up and drives away with almost ALL of my belongings.

My Navigator, Mylz and I then follow by heading North to the Wonderland that is PHOENIX, AZ to stay the night in Sun City, AZ with my girlfriend of 40+ years before embarking on the REST of the journey.

Next, we stop just outside of Alburqueque, NM to spend the night with my mentor and friend, Theresa...perchance to do some beading if time and weariness permits but definitely to do some non-stop chatting and photo taking!!!

We are taking a Northern route so as to make our way up to Akron, OHIO where all MY remaining ROOTS are still flourishing. Most of my father's family is located in or around Akron. I have not seen them in over 40 years!!! I guess this is a reunion of sorts....at least it is for ME!!

My other girlfriend...we attended elementary school together, has also relocated to Ohio, but near Toledo...a visit with Sharon is also on the agenda. She may even be able to come meet my long lost extended family just 3 hours away in Akron.

The trusty laptop will be travelling with us as well as a few other necessary electronic devices so I really intend to keep ya posted from the road on here as well. Happy Trails Indeed!!!

BUT NOW......It's Just the TWO of US Again!

My soul mate and I were abandoned to fend for ourselves again on February 25th. Took me awhile to come out of my FUNK of being without my little ones, but I am recovering...slowly.

My little soul mate, Squeakers keeps me on my toes! Then there's all that NEEDS to be done so I can get this place sold and get out of here to REJOIN my crew out there in God's Country (North Carolina).

So where am I with all this STUFF that needs doing? Well, while they were here, April & Ella, we had a pretty good sized yard sale with lots of helpers & got rid of a bunch o' stuff. After they left I gave away the dinosaur Hammond organ and they actually came and used three VERY STRONG men to carry it out in the rain to a trailer they rented and drove away with it.

Next, the handmade cutting table that my Dad constructed was given to a very dear friend who has a bicycle business that he could use it in. They also came and disassembled the huge unit into three pieces and trucked it away. My friend and I then cleaned up & organized the largest storage room.

Yesterday I called a roofer who built up the roof (a FLAT one like mine) across the street and gave it insulation and some pitch to let the water runoff. They will be out in a day or so to do an estimate. Then I will call painters for bids on the interior & exterior. Finally I will take all this paperwork along with a list of my debtors I want to pay off to my local banker to apply for a Home Equity Loan to get this work done. At long last, if all that comes through, I will be able to list the house to sell and PRAY it goes quickly.

Oh yea, I still have boxes of clothing and items from Christmas to send to the kids that would not fit in their luggage. Then there's the continual packing going on....I DO GET A BREAK to BEAD and even have a class scheduled here at the house to teach a friend to do "ndebele" or herringbone stitch this Saturday. Haven't taught in ages so I am so glad she is a friend and won't judge my rustiness.

There it is...the blog is now current! Did I miss alot of things we did...sure! But hey, at least I brought this thing up to date! I just wish I was current and more active at managing my online stores so some sales could be happening! All in due time, I guess. NAMASTE!

Farewell to Half the Helpers

This photo was taken the day before half of my helpers left to go back to work and school. My grandson Mylz is second from the left & the rest of the crew is his play-pals from next door & of course little sister, Ella on the far right.

His Dad, Delbert did sooo much for getting this project of moving out on the gooooo mode. Mylz was such a great blessing to me also. We even started up making beaded earrings for him to sell on Artfire in his very own shop!

I am so sad they have to leave me now!