Crafting Again...YAY!

Everything's a big mess in my new craft room. I clean up and then mess it up! an ongoing cycle and I absolutely love crafting in my craft room. There's going to be a craft fair at my new apartment complex in October. I understand they do so every year. Apparently I get 2 6' long tables at no charge and I can sell my crafts and keep all the proceeds. So I have begun my planning as well as crafting. My list of crafts to be ready to sell includes, hand crafted jewelry by me, refreshed old jewelry collected, origami folded paper shirts that hold money or a gift Card, junk journals and small paper books for notes titled "something to write on" designed for purse or wallet, jewelry crafts like wall hangings and yard sale items renewed that haven't sold in the past like ceramic containers with floral arrangement included and various other renewed or newly adapted for new uses items. 

 Have already started making, selecting things, cleaning things, refreshing things and making display containers and adding to them. Don't know how much I will come up with from now until mid October but I'm gonna give it my best shot. Not interested in making Christmas decor mostly thinking about gifts and gift tags and cards with Christmas in mind the rest will be for gifting. I learned so much while I was into jewelry making about display and making my own display holders that while making the items I'm also making things to display the crafts I make on. All very creative. I don't really have any pictures to add here. 

Well, I think I'll postpone posting this until tomorrow when I can take some pictures of what I'm making for show and tell....yup, think I'll do that. Right now it's 3:40am so I need to turn out the light and go to sleep instead of keep writing. SO...nite nite and I take this up tomorrow and get it posted then.... Still didn't take any pics but before I say goodnight this Sat. night I want to mention what I'm amazed about and that is those of you who read my posts are from all over the World.

I mentioned Hong Kong where there are the most readers then there's Singapore, France and so many more. I just want to say thank you all for popping in and reading what I write. I'd love to hear from you individually and I can if you will leave a comment or you can just say Hi. Maybe I'll remember about the pics tomorrow...Goodnight all....

having trouble arranging the pictures but these are just a couple of crafts in the making. The reindeer are made of salt dough and they are bow ornaments to put on a Christmas gift.

I bet you'd never guess ...

You know there is a lot that goes into 80 years of living. April 15 I will celebrate my 80th birthday. As you might guess I've been considering how I got to 80. It just so happens that my life has been absolutely lived, absolutely!

For some of us particular birthdays are like a time to evaluate and think about the age we are becoming before that particular number. Remember adding "a half" when you were a kid? Indicator that we were in a hurry to grow up, to reach a particular age. Maybe the age of an older sibling and a lot a times it meant we would be allowed to do something or have something when we get to be that age.

Turning 80 is different. It's kinda funny to imagine now instead of saying I'm 79 and a half, it's probably more like digging my heals in the ground in an attempt to slow down and not get there so fast. Not that I don't want to be 80. Actually it's kind of a prize. What's really interesting is the looking back.

At this age I'm the only one remaining in my family. The Mom and Dad are gone and my only sibling also. I grew up living with my grandmother on my Mom's side living with the four of us for about 12 years of my life and of course she is gone. My husband is also gone 17 plus years ago. I have 2 daughters and for the youngest daughters family I'm the only grandparent for her children.

I don't spend a lot of time on a daily basis thinking about how life use to be, but it can be interesting as I continue having birthdays. Most people I know, even those I've known for a long time don't know a lot about my life growing up and that's because it was different. I didn't live in the same town between birth and 18. I didn't grow up with the same friends through those years. Where a lot of the people my age that I'm friends with remember their elementary school teachers' names. Even their class mates all through school. 

I have never been to a school reunion which use to be the thing to do for some of my friends. Even now I have a friend that goes to her high school reunion every year. I don't remember any of the names of the other students I went to school with at the school I graduated from.

Just a peek at the states I've lived in with a designated break between high school and the rest of the years. Here goes: Texas, California, Florida, Nebraska. Total number of cities in that time:, 8. (the different houses and school changes not reflected) After high school graduation the states are:South Carolina, North Carolina, New Mexico, Florida, North Carolina Texas, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Hawaii, North Carolina, Texas, Texas. Rwanda Africa.The number of cities: 21. I went to 14 different schools in 12 years. I moved on an average of every 2 and a half years. The first house I remember was in Fresno, California on Wilson Avenue and we moved from there when I was in the 4th grade. Our new home was in the country and I attended the Lone Star Elementary School just outside the Fresno City Limits. I have to say that was the best of all my youth moves because a dog came with the grape orchard, house, barn, several out buildings and an irrigation tank turned into a swimming pool. AND I got to ride a school bus. 

Certainly not a boring life. It's good that I have the personality that I have. I thank God for that. I've been able to look forward to the next new home, next city, next state, even next country with great zeal for what was ahead in life for me. Always an adventure. And today? Today is 1 week to my birthday and I'm moving to a Senior apartment complex across town and it's a gift from God, who gives good gifts. Hopefully, and I believe here, that it's my last move until I move to Heaven. I say it's a gift of God, from God because of the way it has come about and that it has every element that I've done without since 2006 at the passing of my beloved husband and my life completely changed. Every area including my living conditions meaning the places I've lived since have been less than what I thought I wanted.

I've learned to live without and now those elements of home are being restored in such a remarkable way and I give Him the glory for this gift He is giving to me. I move in to my new apartment May 1st.  Totally unexpected and it shouldn't have been possible...but it's happening anyway. That is for another post. My post title "I bet you'd never guess..." probably should read, "I would have never guessed!".

In these present days I'm packing and making all the necessary decisions and doing the work to prepare for the actual day I move. I have about 3 weeks left to wind it all up and these days are not without bumps and puzzles regarding decisions. The "but what about.." questions pop up daily but daily I'm assured when God gives a gift He gives it completely leaving nothing out, so there's nothing to worry about along the way. I'm learning so very much about trust and hope and taking one step and one day at a time. Talk about an exciting trip I'm taking on the way to occupying his gift of home to me.

I started writing this post a couple of weeks ago and today is the actual day to post it. Not sure when the next post will be. Quite possible after moving day May 1st...guess I'll just wait and see. Hope you enjoy reading this one. Please leave a comment, even just a hello would be great. Until the next one, Look up, move forward and enjoy the day. Surrounded by boxes I am...Judy

A surprise!

 First time bloomer this color was unexpected in my front flowerbed...

maybe a goodbye ...sure is pretty.

Honestly Speaking

 Well hello! I have a favor to ask of you.

I know, I don't have any leverage over anyone who stops in on my blog so I'm not trying to pull something here.  Really!

Look, I don't claim to be old or anything!!! But, I am aware that I'm not up on all the ways and means of blogging. I haven't read up on the whys and wherefores', etiquette or anything. Honestly speaking, I just got on here, opened/signed up for a blog and here I am. I don't know what is customary and another thing, I'm trying to get my post read by more than 7 people. Well, one time it was 9.

So here's my request after all that honesty. I'd love to hear from YOU, If you've gotten this far in this writing this time around. Would you please comment? I would like some encouragement in writing here. And...

If you are feeling gracious and have the time and inclination leave a comment on how I might draw readers. I know, I know...I've sorta read how to do that but...I don't get it. Plain and simple. I added words that I think will pull up when people search and other than that, what else.

Should I try to make money like a lot of bloggers do? 

Is it possible that my subject matter isn't interesting enough?

Don't like my style? (if that's what ya' call it)

I sure need some advice, some help, some kind words if you are so inclined. And if it's my age, well, it is what it is! 

Should I have a specific topic of conversation throughout all my posts. Like should my blog only cover or talk about a specific topic? Would that be read?

I also know it's a busy time in this world, I hope some, more than one of those who pass through, will leave a generous comment and help this blogger/writer out.

Yours truly, Judy

the pic is of me and the museum artifact behind me...a group day trip.

For the Senior Citizens-Open your blinds

 I just wrote a post yesterday. And now I'm back because I wanted to change my picture to a more current one and the one I like best. In that process it occurred to me that I've gotten one comment and it's from a local fried of mine. Every time I post, I look at the stats to see if anyone is stopping  by in to read. There are a few sometimes and none at other times. 

The reason I have this blog is because my book is about to be available to anyone who wants to read it either in paper back or e book "Without Spot or Wrinkle" is the title. I read somewhere that I should have a website so that's the first reason I set this one up. Also I've had other's in the past. Some I lost all the posts and a couple are somehow attached to this blog.

First, I just like to write. Second, I have things to say to my age group that I believe are helpful and encouraging in the living day to day. If you are a senior and you read my post...any or all...please, oh please leave a comment. If you aren't a long typer just to say hello would be great. I have no other purpose for asking this of my readers other than to be encouraged in the hello. You become more than a number to me and I'd love that.

If you have something on your mind, I'd love to read about it...maybe, maybe I can help, or not. I'd really like to get some conversation going...two way. So, please consider leaving a comment and let me know you've read a post and even what you think of it, and of course be kind even if it's negative.

As a side note, and fyi, I live in a senior low income housing complex. All my neighbors are seniors. Some are very active and others are on the low end of active and the ones I'm referencing aren't disabled. I don't know them all or even most, just a few. At least half no longer drive. I drive a Toyota, standard shift. 

Anyway, I just wanted to put that out there in hopes that I might get some comments on the posts I put up. Hope you will and appreciate those that read whether comments are left or not...

I'm Judy in my cottage with the sun blaring through my front window leaving stripes from the blinds all over the carpet, chair and wall. It's a beautiful morning in Texas.

Without Spot or Wrinkle publishing update

 Boys Howdy, what a week this has been and more exciting stuff coming up ahead and my headlights are on and I'm shifting gears moving forward with the publishing of my first ever book, Without Spot or Wrinkle. 

Just at the end of this week the final reports and editing are turned in and I've been notified that the next phase of publishing is beginning this week coming. Now, it's all about the cover. I've already chosen some things and they are: a glossy finish of the cover, cream color paper of the pages inside. The team that does the cover will pull together a cover and place the text on the front as well as the photo and bio on the back of the cover and send a copy to me for review. 

Having sent them my idea for the cover it will be interesting to see what they have designed and since they are the pros in the area of outward design it's gonna be fun to see. I can hardly wait. Not sure what the time frame is but I'm sorta expecting a week or two. It'll be terrific if the book is released before Christmas. I'm hoping!

During this past week my patience was greatly tested by my computer. It has a new monitor, keyboard and mouse but an old hard drive. It's operational standard is in the slow mo gear and so I have to wait a long time for any response at all. This week wasn't a good time for it's type of behavior and so yesterday I ordered a refurbished hard drive and it will arrive on the 14th, just a few days from now.  I can hardly wait because of the huge difference it will make in my productivity. Yipee!

As mentioned before, I've started on number 2 book but haven't gotten very far with it because I'm still involved in the first book's production process, however the number 2 is cooking and I'm eager on getting stuff on paper. The preliminary chapter outline is written, and scriptures gathered. I've lots of commentary reading to do as well and I truly look forward to that. Adding other research material to my bank of information is fun...I' a gatherer right now. 

The yard sale went well but I have residue left for the next yard sale. I hope to be able to join with someone else by adding my stuff to theirs, but will see if that can happen. In the mean time have been invited to store my boxed up items in a friends garage. I live in an apartment and have no storage space except for the car. It's very sweet of my friend and I'm preparing the stuff to take over to her place this coming week.

In the between times I'm gathering stuff to redecorate my friends apartment which will be the week after the 17th of September.  I've talked to a friend about the project and she's gonna help me when the time comes. Presently I'm collecting and making stuff and nearly finished, just waiting for a shipment to arrive. Have some preliminary stuff to do in the apartment and I'll be doing that until the shipment is here.  Things like taking down what's presently on the walls and finding things to place on the bedroom walls because I'll actually be doing the bedroom too out of necessity. Much of what is on the living room walls will be stored and what doesn't go with the new theme will go in the bedroom, like personal pictures of family etc. It's gonna be fun.

So that's it for this evening in the Cottage. I'm Judy with Milo whose reclining on the back of the love seat where he has the best view of the parking lot. Blessings for now...