Etsy

Well thanks to my sister Stacy's suggestion, it's happening. I've had an Etsy account for awhile, mostly to purchase unique and fun gifts for my friends and family. They're always a hit! However when Stacy started getting multiple inquiries regarding a beaded bracelet I made, she passed on the idea to sell the things! Well, since I need some more money for France next summer, I'm taking her up on the idea! You can go to my shop, Laughing Soprano, at www.laughingsoprano.etsy.com to view and purchase my crafty creations. Don't worry. There may be 3 items now, but after another trip to the bead store I'm sure the number will grow. Though hopefully not by too much since I'd really like the things to sell rather than sit online the entire time.

Happy Etsy Shopping!

The Perfect Blade

I've decided to start a new blog. No worries. I'm keeping this one. It's mine. This other one is for my doggie tales. I love telling stories about Coda and our expeditions into the city or trips or just our day-to-day comings and goings. But I have found people want to hear more about me than my dog. But I can't stop talking about my dog. My sisters have their children. Friends have their spouses. I have... Coda. And I love her! So I'm going to write our stories down. Read them if you wish. Ignore them if you're not a dog person.

The Perfect Blade

Enjoy.

Memorial Day

On Friday, East students and staff wore red, white, and blue in honor of Memorial Day. My friend Alicia helped me out by picking up a great tee for me!



We have several ties to military at that school, including staff and student's immediate family members who currently serve overseas. We are so thankful they have been safe thus far, and pray for their continued safety. To those who have served and those who are currently serving, thank you.

My family ties to the military...

Pa Dr. Arthur M. Lindsay - US Army
Grandpa John Gabriel - US Army
Grandpa Bob Gehrman - US Army
Cousin Stefan Mueller - US Marine Corps

Katy Trail 5K

So I almost ran a mile. Almost. Had I realized they had signs posted w/times at the mile markers I think I would have kept running. Can you tell I don't participate in these things very often? It was fun though! Great activity with great friends! Gay, Jenny and I enjoyed ourselves! Now I just have to get out there and do some more... 'cause it's high time I started feeling better about myself and exercising! Concert is Thursday, so official workout regime begins next Monday. It's happening, folks. Bring it.

Mother's Weekend

Well thanks to a last minute idea and generous and sharing family, my mom, Bob, Alyse, Jeff, June and I all got to meet up this weekend at the Possum Kingdom Lake Home to celebrate Mother's Day.

I miss my family! My parents are absolutely wonderful people who are so insightful, caring, and loving. It's nice to feel like the kid again rather than the adult in the room. And watching Alyse and Jeff 4 months into their parenthood is so fascinating! What amazing parents they are, and how beautiful a child they have! June is a delight to watch grow! Makes me wish we all lived closer so I could see Finley and the soon-to-be-new nephew as often as I see June (which is not nearly enough as it is!).

We played frisbee golf, ate, rode the four-wheelers, swam, ate, drank, ate, played dominoes, ate, read, and ate wonderful food. I think we all needed the time away from our hectic lives to enjoy one another for a bit and have some fun. Thanks to Bill and Carol for their hospitality in letting us stay out in PK! I leave you with some pictures (even though they're not as clear as one would like - phone camera) of our brief stay...


Orender Lake Home


Scary, crazy, big-a$$ centipede!!! WHERE was The Verminator???


Ahhhh... goats. Much better than the nasty centipede.


Jeff and Baby June. That's right. No other pics of the family. Just June-bug sleeping. I was too busy playing with and holding her.

Doesn't it stink when you want to post something but putting your thoughts out on the web is not the smartest thing to do?

Format

I want my blog to look cute. To look organized. To look like I know what I'm doing! I know, I know... start with Cutest Blog on the Block. But how do you work out the formalities of the format? Mine doesn't seem like it fits "just right". Help!

PS: Yes, I know this means I might actually have to post more than once every 2 months.

Clean Desk

As many of you know, I have a cozy home. If you arrive, you will most likely find it picked up, and if I knew you were coming, the floors would be cleaned and the rugs would be vacuumed. I'm not the most diligent or concerned when it comes to things being "clean". Not that I don't like things that way, but that I'm rather apathetic about the process it takes to get there.

2 weeks ago I vowed to clean my floors. And boy did I! I not only swept and mopped; I got down on my hands and knees and SCRUBBED the tiles. There is no exaggeration, and if you're still reading this, I'll allow you a moment or two to come out of your shock and breathe normally again.

Ready to move on? Good! My task this break? My desk. Some of you are probably surprised to find out I even own a desk! That pile of papers and items in my "office" area? It's not just a pile. It's piled ON TOP of my desk! It's a beautiful desk, too! Cherry colored wood, rounded edges and just enough storage for all the mailing supplies I'll ever require. But you couldn't see it! So, ta-da! I cleaned my desk! At first, it looked like it has for MONTHS...



And then I had to document my progress, because this is BIG STUFF for me!



Now, it's workable! I am sitting at it this very moment, blogging to the world about my clean desk! And no, I did not just take everything and shove it in a closet or under the bed. It's actually PUT AWAY.



I know for most of you this is menial. You keep everything so clean and organized. I'm jealous of you. I know I CAN, I just have so little drive! I know where everything is how to find it. I don't eat germy things (though Mom did tell me once that "dirt is just God's way of seasoning things"). I make sure that when I have guests everything is in order and neatly arranged (mostly - if you're a REALLY good friend, you lose). And I try to keep my chaotic clutter confined to the "office" area of my home. If it had a door, it would be better. Because then I could ignore it all the time.

Ice Day!

So really I'm just blogging to inform you all that I'm safe and sound indoors, warm, and that I didn't fall when I took Coda on a walk/slide earlier this morning. Thankfully watching her attempt to avoid any flat surface kept me entertained and distracted me from the 1 degree wind chill I was out in. Her cute 'little' paws spread as wide as they could go, and it took her awhile to find a 'spot'. I'm guessing because 1) she couldn't smell the grass and 2) she was so focused on finding a place she could securely stand whilst going about her business.

So now that I've updated you on her 'business' and my warmth, I'm going to debate being productive at home. Like I should be. I'm sure I will be... right? Right.