Lots of Tears today and some gratitude

Any of you that follow my blog or talk to me much, know that I have a new "long distance" dear  bestest friend and fellow blogger, Lulu. Her hubby aka "The Commander," Rick is just short of retirement from the Army. Well, Lulu emailed me this week to ask for some cooking tips for my White Chicken Chili, because she doesn't do much cooking,,,,the Commander does. But she wanted to surprise him with it when he came home from training some troops in Texas.......yep Texas.

Now here's the clincher,,,,,Rick (aka the Commander) had a rough flight getting there, including a flat tire delay on the airplane and then arriving to no heat in his accomodations......His dear wife, (Lulu) concerned about his mood after such a scenario wanted to cook for him when he came home. (I told her to put on a cute apron and he'd be "toast" anyway, even if the White Chicken Chili was a disaster) And that I'd "talk" her through it while making.

I "spaced." Okay,,,,didn't think of Rick being at the scene of the Shootings,,,,didn't think of Lulu wringing her hands/heart......And then it dawned on me this morning that HE WAS THERE!!! I hadn't spoken or emailed her since the Chili overview and then today I thought, OMG ,,,,,,,,Lulu's hubby was/is there!!! 

I felt SO deeply for those families and commrades in Texas. Nothing like sending your son (Mine) off to Iraq in the Marines a couple times to bond you with those that serve and those that love those who serve......

And now this,,,,,senseless, unreal and to think that I had a link to someone there. Rick (Lulu's hubby extrodinaire) is okay..and I give thanks for that. My heart goes out to ALL those families and friends affected by this horrific event.

I watched this story today,  and part of the memorial for our fallen Police officer in Seattle,and thought of of the woman that was memorialized today in Snohomish for her community and youth service.

I think it's important that we take every opportunity to those that serve our Country, our Cities and our communities and the families behind these individuals.

Hugs, and take time to thank a service man or woman, a soldier or a community leader today!
Shell

Again, saying thanks that Lulu's hubby is SAFE!!!

Workin' my buns off!!

I have taken on another position/profession. (Would this be the second OR third with my crafting? --

Working as a Commercial Real Estate assistant to my dear friend Laura -helping with Market analysis and sales.. I will initially be focusing on two larger buildings/sites she has in the works and helping  target investors/and potential tennants. ...I worked in corporate Advertising and Marketing for years,,,,,,,apparently I need to get back in the saddle to help bring the right businesses into our community.....I LIKE this business plan and think it makes great sense for us in Snohomish.That is my primary reason for helping to market, show and promote these  properties- I believe in the vision and think it will be very beneficial to our community.

So that said, I'm juggling Commercial Real Estate, my job at Joyworks on the weekends and Crafting WHEN it fits in,,,,,,,an interesting mix! Cerebral, Social and Creativie,,,life is good!! I just need to learn how to make time for all the various aspects!!

Ready for the Masses tomorrow!!

My son Andy carved one of the pumpkins,,,,oooh, scarey scarey Devil! And I bought about a hundred bucks worth of candy for the little gremlins.....I mean dears! So we are set!

If you live OR work in Snohomish and you want to stop by for something other than a sweet treat, come on in for a cup/bowl of White Chicken Chili, Spiced Cider (or as my kids used to call it "Spiced Spider") and all the acoutrements,,,albeit casual because of the trick or treat crowd!!!

Hope everyone has a Spooktacular Halloween!!

Shell

Wow! This has been a REALLY special month.....

Okay, so here's the deal, I figure the payback for my month of extravagance and indulgence means I need to:

A) Work on Taxes
B) Schedule at least one Root Canal an perhaps a deep gum scraping.......
C) Clean out the fridge and closets/ especially those caverns that have remained the same for 10 years or more.....
D) Think of all the other mundane and anxiety producing tasks that I have put off or have "filed" away.

Because-This has been SUCH a great Month! Birthday gatherings/ visits-Shopping trips, times spent with Old and New friends. I mean I am feeling guilty because of all the joy in my life. Ever feel that way? It's like you are on cloud nine and stop and think, "Okay, this is really really good, but if it's this good now, what is going to befall me in the near future??? Silly, I know. And Hey!, I'm an optimist,,,,but I think we've all felt that way when life just felt SO good!!

I got a belated birthday present from my bestest new long distance  friend  and blogging  dear, Lulu today! She is a whoot and a  love and she and I relate SO well,,,,,,I think her friendship may be my "bestest" present this year,,,This whole blogging thing and meeting like minds,,,,,It's amazing! So anyway, today I got such an awesome package from her,,,after she has been SO sick and taking care of family and her Craft orders and all......She is amazing!!!! There are pictures above of some of her hand crafted items and her "Marie" faux cupcakes, I will be showcase soon, because where in the heck and WHAT in the heck did I do with all my footed cake plates??? And she sent me awesomely scented candles and the cutest "Cake Day" (that's what I am calling Birthdays from here out!) 3-D Birthday card- which features tons of active Cats and dogs,,,,,which of course we both have and probably started our bond in the first place!
Well,,,,a "Luluism," She's been busy as a cat in a litterbox!!  Thank you my dear, SO much, from the bottom of my heart!

Now again today, I was REALLY REALLY bad!! I went to Molbaks----SO much more than a nursery and as those of you that live close you'll be nodding your heads,,,,,,,It's a GOOD and BAD place.....There is SO much eye candy and Kelly  and I made a good dent (after breaking for a while in the FABULOUS Cafe' for Quiche and Salad that was to DIE for!!! I'm not showing all our "loot," as mine is going to be on the home tour but I took a fun pic of Kell-Bell in her Elfin hat and of our Polka Dot Trees,,,,,,,,I am SO going OVER the TOP this year!!!

Wonderful mixed media bannerr from Lulu! (I LOVE CROWS!)

Again,,,,,the wonderful package from Lulu w/ all her goodies and a day with Kell,,,,,,I don't think life gets much better,,,,,,,,Hope you enjoy the pics!!!

Kell Bell sporting her Elfin hat,,,,,,,,how CUTE!! And here are the cute pom-pom trees she and I bought!

 I absolutely LOVE this "Paris" Banner Lulu made me! And the Candles she sent took me "back" to Europe!!

I love this banner on my French cabinet!!!

Life is Good, and I'm so BLESSED to have such good friends!

Shell

Monday Nite Madness at Moms! Too funny!

Well, as some of you may, or may not know, my Son Andrew and his friend/roomie have moved into my little rental cottage in back.

They both come "up front" to my house periodically for various finds/favors and FOOD!! So,,,a couple of weeks ago I decided to create an event that I would HOPE would put a damper on their attempting to forrage through my kitchn or expecting regular meals from moi,,,,,,SO, I told them we would have "Monday nite Madness/Mayhem" at "Moms." I would provide them dinner and they MAY get a cooking lesson or two in the works,,,,they clean up and take the "hounds for a walk.

It's worked well,,,,,for the most part. Although they still pop over to my house for TP, a pan, my pepper mill, etc. ,,,,,But they are learning. . .

Here are some fun pics of the "manly men" helping and learning in the kitchen,,,enjoying the "fruits" of the labor and some doggie play time..How CUTE do they look in their aprons??? Only REAL men can wear ruffles and florals and still get the job done!!!

Funky Junk Finds

Make a Smilebox slideshow

As you can tell, if you watch the slideshow, I really had FUN shopping at Funky Junk and in Sumner! Thanks again, in part to Dani who taught me how to bargain a bit! And thanks to the helpers on the bus freeing our hands so we could peruse further and faster!

I'd love to see what some of the other bus gang found! The bounty was plentiful!

I didn't buy much in Sumner, other than a few vintage Christmas finds and some lovely papers and ribbons at a GREAT Stamping store called "paper Muse." What a gorgeous shop! It's probably a GOOD thing that it's not closer to home, I could do some serious damage in there, baby! I think by the time I was done in there, I'd pretty well reached sensory overload!!!

Dani's wonderful Chocolate Chip cookies helped with my stamina though, mid afternoon!

Time to put some of these new goodies to good use!! The way it is raining here today, it's a good day to hunker down and GLITTER!!!

Slideshow of our Funky Junk Bus trip Today

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I had an awesome time today on Timi's "Come Junk with us" Bus to Puyallup
(for out of Staters that is pronounced "pew" "al" "up." Where we hit the Funky Junk extravaganza in the morning and then headed to Sumner, WA after lunch. It was SUCH a beautiful day! The weather and colors were gorgeous and Mt. Ranier was spectacular enroute!

Timi did an awesome job! We had prizes and discounts and wonderful goodies and Starbucks coffee and gifts and maps and "helpers" to take our buys to the bus for us, and, and, and.........I cannot truly give her enough praise for her organizational and yet FUN aspects of our trip!

We all were 30 something in number and her hubby Jay followed along with a truck for major puchases.......

The vendors and booths at Funky Junk were awesome! Good prices, great selection, gave us LOTS of discounts and freebies!!!

I found SOooooooo many fun things that I will post about that entirely separately tomorrow or Monday. But it was truly a Banner day at the Show and in the cute little town of Sumner! They rolled out the red carpet for "Timi and her girls."

I hope you enjoy(ed) the slideshow and think about "Junkin'" on Timi's buses in the future!!

Shell

(PS...I just have to say that I had a lovely day exploring it all with my friend Dani. And I'm Annie "left" the Cherub lamps for me-because she knew I would like them. And I don't know who bought all the Madonnas Annie, you or Mary, but I SO need to buy one from you Girls to keep that dang Jehovah Witness lady off my porch!!! Those Snohomish Girls,,,,,gotta love em! Where's my Madonna? We can negotiate,,,,,my Angel lamps for a Madonna!)