Dolls From My Childhood

I found these two beautiful dolls today when I stopped by the Salvation Army. Just as lovely as I remember in the 1970's even with a little dust on them. The one in blue has a problem with her neck, but it makes her more like the modern "bobble head" doll. I do think the fingers on them creep me out a little bit though.

Playing With Dolls

Today being Saturday, I have had to time to play in my sewing room. I have been working on another king size quilt top and have another border to go, but just not quite decided on what I want to do yet.

I did embroider these dolls during my week of overnight shifts at the youth home. I actually got called in last night because the weekend person was sick giving me more hours to stitch. (Don't worry -- I do my job of bed checks every 30 minutes, house laundry, mopping floors, keeping the refrigerators clean, baking cookies/breads, cleaning out the ovens, emptying the dishwasher, records keeping, and cooking breakfast for the residents.)



These little doll characters are simply cute and I could see some little girls playing with them, putting them in their purse, or as part of gift baskets. They are headed on their way to my shoppe on Etsy.com.



Think I am in a mindset to start some crafty Christmas ornaments. The holidays will be here before we all know it!

Spectacular Views

Glacier National Park was the ultimate highlight of our family vacation. I have never seen so much amazement and excitement in our children as when we were making our way along the "Going to the Sun" road.





I don't think they have even been on as high an elevation before and then to see the gorgeous mountains capped with snow just thrilled them.



My 13 year old said that he would have to stay more awake on the next trip to Yellowstone in case he missed seeing some things as lovely in scenery as Glacier was. That comment made me laugh. Here is a unique picture he took of a moving tour bus. I personally think it is cool!


Both of the oldest were swapping the camera back and forth to take pictures of Glacier National Park. We are already talking about going back again in a month or so. My husband worked one summer in Glacier National Park at the Two Medicine Camp Store and said he would like to visit that part of the park.

Blue Angels Soar

I almost forgot to post about getting to see the Blue Angels perform an air show here in Great Falls, MT at the end of July. It was a great way to end our week long vacation. The only thing that could have made it more perfect for an outing was a slight drop in the high temperatures we have been experiencing. Many drinks of tea and pop were consumes while watching various aircraft perform before the main event occurred. We sat out in the sun from 11:30 till 4:00 that day. I don't think I did too bad in getting some pictures on my mini-digital camera. Couldn't really see at the time if I was capturing anything or not!!!

Much Ado About Nothing

My husband and I had the pleasure of attending an outdoor performance of "Much Ado About Nothing" presented by the Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. This company is an outreach program of MSU’s College of Arts and Architecture and have been putting on Shakespeare plays for 39 seasons. They travel to towns in Montana and Wyoming and the performances are free (but donations are accepted).

We have not been able to attend the past two years because my husband has been out of town with training for work.



It was nice to pick up some dinner and carry some pillows and blankets to sit an watch this comedy on the lawn at the University of Great Falls. It was also the first time I had actually taken time to see the layout of the buildings of the college here in town.

There was a good attendance and plenty of laughter to go around.



The director chose to set this play right after the Civil War. I loved the costumes of the ladies -- nothing like a hoop skirt!!!

We had hoped to return and see the company's second play of the season they are putting on, "The Merchant of Venice", but I just wasn't feeling rested and rain did sweep through to delay things a bit. Hoping to catch them again next year with their next two selections.

Beauty

My horoscope recently read, "Through the ages, many different body types have been heralded as icons of beauty. Your motivation will be greatest when you love and enjoy the shape and size you are."

Now, just to let you know, I don't read my horoscope every day, every other day, but maybe once or twice a month. This one seemed to speak to me because I have never been the "thin" body type. Even as a child I was always called big and it was usually tagged along with tall. (Wonder how I ended up being the shortest in my siblings?)

I even had a foster mother tell me that my ears were big. Then she would have my hair cut short to expose my ears.

Also, she told me as a teenager that I looked like a cow in white pants. I therefore, chose not to wear white remembering these things.

There were years when I never admired myself in the mirror and still many times today I will glance to make sure my hair is "not too wild" but to critique my appearance otherwise is not allowed in my mind.

I do enjoy seeing other people in outfits and admiring their style. I saw an older lady today at the grocery store with silvery gray hair. She was wearing a peach cotton top and matching skirt. Then she had a light floral print jacket. My thought immediately was how comfortable she looked and just simply "pretty".

While on vacation, I noticed how I had started wearing plain cotton t-shirts (usually gray or black) and then black leggings as my regular wardrobe. Mainly this is for comfort and then also because I am and have been at home for years and then working in a group home on 3rd shift. I don't meet with the public in a professional manner. This has made me determine that I am possibly in a "slump". I recently purchased myself a few bracelets and am wearing some of my daughter's cotton bright color tops and floral prints lately. Maybe I am turning a new leaf and will continue on to colorize my attire.

I still hate stepping on a scale, but am going to try to be more positive when stepping in front of a mirror or looking at a photo of myself.

"Your motivation will be greatest when you love and enjoy the shape and size you are." -- I do truly believe this!!!

Visiting Yellowstone

Natural wonders and experiencing nature was our goal in choosing Yellowstone National Park as part of our family vacation plans. It had been many years since I had driven through Yellowstone. I remembered yet things seemed new. The only let down the kids could speak of was NOT seeing very much wildlife. They had conjured up visions of bears, bison and wolves. We did see one bison sitting on the ground right by the road, but there was a car parked in front of it. We did see many tame looking elk around Mammoth in the park and my daughter took a good picture of this one shown.




The geysers and the melting pots were almost unbelievable sights to tourists from everywhere walking around the trails. So many different languages were being spoken and this amazed my kids almost as much scenery. On lady was even seen chanting and raising her hands. Everyone let her express herself freely.




We sat and waited for Old Faithful to perform on schedule and did a picnic lunch on the tailgate in the parking lot. Everyone had a pleasant time and we are planning on going again in the fall. Yellowstone is definitely a place to put on your list to see.

A Promise Brings A Smile

My family recently got to take a vacation. An actual vacation where we went some where; got away from it all; got away from the same old 4 walls we see day in day out. We packed up suitcases and headed down the road to Yellowstone National Park and then ended our week by driving the "Going to the Sun" Road in Glacier National Park. Those pictures and blogs are to follow.



Before I left on this vacation, I had a young lady (17 years old) from the group home embroidery some pieces that I told her I would turn into a quilted throw for her. This project took her some time complete and she was sad to find that I would be gone for the week and she would not have her finished item back right away. (She has issues with patience and her mental capacity is lower than her age). I made her a promise that I would have it finished when I returned on my first shift back.

So after packing in a full week and being very tired, I practically tied myself to my sewing chair and put her top together on Saturday and then spent much of Sunday doing the sewing machine quilting and hemming to finish her throw. I arrived at work at 11:45 p.m. and she was up the stairs by 12:10 a.m. wondering if I had kept my promise. Since the other staff person was still filling me in on happenings around the home and with the residents, this young lady acted like she had a headache. We talked with her and then let her have her quilted throw. The smile on her face was well worth the effort to complete this project. In a time when these kids feel no one keeps promises, I feel it is very important to show them there are people who do care and will go the extra mile. It also makes them feel they are worth something.

Also, the 13 year old boy I taught to embroidery and made pillows and tote bags for him and his siblings left while I was on vacation. I noticed he took his zippy bag with a project he was working on as well as some of my threads, hoop and needle. I hope he will remember and keep his hobby up or find something else that brings him an accomplished feeling. My prayers and wishes are his home life will come together for him to continue to grow and thrive positively.

I am still smiling because I have this girl's face planted in my memory with her bright smile.

5 Things in Life

Got this from a DEAR FRIEND... There are 5 things in life you cannot recover: A stone...after it's thrown. A word...after it is said. An occasion...after it's missed. The time...after it's gone. A person...after they die. Life is short. Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile, Enjoy Life!!