HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Halloween everyone and to Barbara, a very Happy Birthday. Barbara is a friend I made through our online stitching group. She is having a birthday today. You can visit her blog by clicking from my friends list. She is Granniesblog.

This is my daughter Fawn many years ago dressed as Raggedy Anne for her job. She worked for a childrens dentist. They dressed up on Halloween and Raggy was her favorite. Heidi could tell you a Halloween story about Fawn. We miss you Fawn, especially now, knowing how much you loved Halloween and really all of the holidays.

WINTER SKY SAYS SNOW

Our Cleveland weather man says we will have snow tomorrow and the sky is showing it big time. Our current temperature is 41 degrees. I am not looking forward to winter. I never drive in snow, so soon I will be hybernating unless I have a driver. (George)

Since my feet are feeling very chilly, today I got my yarn and knitting needles out.

Here they are, on my feet and quite compfy. Did you ever make yourself slippers. Try them. A couple hours of work and there they are.

TRICK OR TREAT

This afternoon is Trick or Treat for our neighborhood. From three to five I will be a yo yo. Up and down going to the door. We have lots of kids come by. Some are brought in by cars.

The candy is ready and waiting and hope the little ones all have fun and stay safe today.

I will miss Zoe coming to my door again this year. Last year she was Tinkerbell. I found this little guy online.

THE SNOWMEN ARE FINISHED AND NAMED

After getting a little off track, to make a gift for a friend's birthday, I finished naming the Snowmen. They had their names picked out, and were just waiting for me to get busy and put them on. Thanks a lot Eric and Bill for giving me those longggg names to put on. LOL.
Now, I have to decide if it is going to be a pillow, which is what the pattern shows, or something else. Thanks again Heidi for the pattern and fabric. They were fun little men to stitch.

A WIN AND SOME NEW BOOKS

Another entry from my N book.
Normally I like everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine.
Oliver Goldsmith
Heidi pulled my name in a give a way she held. These are very nice note cards. Since I owe a friend a note, I will be using one hopefully today. The postcard she sent with it is really nice too.
Thanks Heidi for the gift.

These are two books a friend lent me to read. I read book one and took it to Heidi and now thanks to Jean, I will read two and three. The Sisters of Holmes County, which is about 45 minutes away from us.

I bought this bargain book at Borders and couldn't believe I hadn't read it. It was not on my very long list I keep. As I am reading it, it seems like I might have read it. I read soooo many, and all of Nora Roberts, so I really am not totally sure. Neverless, I am reading it again if I did.

My snowmen are all stitched, I am now putting the names on. I will feature them soon. Hope you have a great day.

A LITTLE BREAK IN THE WEATHER

This is the Condo we stayed in, we had a corner unit on the first floor, which was still up off the ground two flights of stairs. Garages were under us.

Zoe finally got to go on the beach with the sand toys I got her on sale for seventy five cents.

She was having fun running in and out of the ocean.

Believe me, she was running. Later in the day, the beach got busier but she had it all to herself when she was out.

Grandpa came and joined her for a little while, and she liked that. Mandie and I didn't put bathing suits on.

She had him running in circles and chasing her. She wraps him around her fingers, so do Haali and Mitchell.

A DAY AT MYRTLE BEACH

We went to Barefoot Landing and even though it was raining like mad, Zoe wanted to ride the Carosel. Here she is with the Bear she made.

This is when she was jumping on the ring that would put the stuffing into her bear. She already had the outfit picked out.

Mom (Mandie) and Zoe, are now fluffing Raspberry Angel. That is the name I helped Zoe pick for her bear. It came with a backpack strap which she was wearing on the Carosel. There were several bears to choose from when you get in the door. She liked the pink one. The outfit had wings.

I got the pictures a little backward. We actually had lunch before the bear was made. We went to a 50's diner and they gave Zoe a hat and her Mom put her name on it. She is enjoying her french fries, and they were very good.

This is Zoe and Grandpa having some fun . Aren't they so cute?

Zoe and Grandma couldn't resist putting our hands and heads into this scene. We're a little bit country. She found these and ran right to them. Mandie has these pictures with her and Jason, hope she will post them on her blog. Army Wife is my Life.

FRIENDS ARE SO IMPORTANT

I feel I have found some very good friends through our online stitching group, and though blogging. Today I will feature three of them. This cute little book was part of my Autumn Swap gift from Barbara. I love this little book and think everyone should have one with their own initial on it. Barbara is part of our stitching group and also a blogger.

Every page has a very cute little saying on it. I am going to put one on now, and then everyonce in awhile put another one on. One of the pages says "No one word frees us of all the weight and pain of life than the word love."

Now, before I went away, I mentioned that Theresa gave this award back to me after I gave it to her. That was very nice, and now I am passing it along again.

I want to give it to Sweetie. Last November, Sweetie's oldest daughter was murdered, and the murder is unsolved. I also had a daughter murdered in 1995. In our case, the man also shot himself. Even when this was a truly awful experience for my family, I can only imagine what Sweetie is now going through. I am praying that this person is found so she can have some rest. I hope everyone will think of her and her family as the anniversary is coming up. She truly is a creative blogger and you can click on her from my friends list, and also Theresa at Sew Many Thoughts. Thank you for giving it back to me and all of you for being friends.

A JUST BECAUSE FROM HEIDI

In our family, we like to give "Just Because" gifts. When we got back today, this little package was waiting for George and me. These cute little kids are the Dutch version of our Dick and Jane. I just bought and read a Dick and Jane book to Zoe. She is learning to read. These are key chains and ohhhhh so cute. The card is also very cute.
Thanks Heidi for thinking of us. It was a very nice surprise.

MYRTLE BEACH

This is the view from one side of our balcony. The weather is gloomy.

Yesterday, this was the view from our balcony. LOL. Thank God, they finished whatever they were doing last night. They worked very late. Today the beach is open again.

Zoe was enjoying watching the boat out in the ocean and eating an apple in the top Miss Heidi sent to her.

This is the pool, but so far the weather is not being very nice to us.

This is the large boat that continues to stay right in the area. We watch it come and go up and down.

Zoe's sweater fit her very well. She is just a busy little girl. Right now she is dancing and singing, waiting for everyone to get ready to go to Barefoot Landing. Tonight we are going to see a show.

OFF TO MYRTLE BEACH AND ZOE

We are leaving Thursday Morning for Myrtle Beach. We are staying at Mt Airy, North Carolina ,then on to Myrtle Beach on Friday. We are only staying a couple days, so leave Monday to head back North.

I rented a two bedroom condo on at Oceanfront. It has a pool too for Zoe, and a balcony for me. Mandie, Jason, and Zoe are meeting us there on Friday and we all leave Monday, since they were able to have Monday off. I cannot wait to see my little princess. Well, I told her she could bring her Mom and Dad too, cause I sort of, kind of, love them too. I told them they can go out and do what they want to, just leave Zoe with me. LOL.

Maybe we will visit this store, wherever it may be. I have not been to Myrtle Beach for many many years. Everyone says I won't know it now. All that was there was a Wacoma Pottery and tourist shops. I know there will be more tourist shops, but also other stores. I am taking my laptop, so I will try to keep up on some mail.

NAME THE SNOWMEN

My little Snowman family is moving right along. If I wouldn't have left them home when I went on our trip, they might be much farther along.

Margaret, one of my one stitching friends suggested I name the Snowmen. I am asking if any of you have good names to give these guys. Starting at the top left, I will number them 1 thru 6 on the top row, then 7 thru 11 on the bottom. If you pick a name for one or more, just leave a number in the comments and the name.

Unless I hear something I like better, I think I am going to name number 6 Sherlock, and number 10 Mortimer and 11 Mr. Rogers cause he is wearing a sweater. Hey, I have to see if Mr. Rogers had a D in his name. Hummmmm. Bet Heidi knows. Ok, any names you like I will appreciate. I will let you know if I pick your name.

Edit; these are names chosen so far and why:

1. Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown's Christmas tree) 2. Edgar (Edgar Allen Poe)

3. Paul (Paul Revere) 4. Jos (the tour guide) 5. Huckleberry (Looks like a bear) 6. Sherlock (Hat and pipe)

7. Max Snowbunny's Friend (Bunny) 8. Bosley (Sweetie's choice) 9. George (because Heidi says so ) 10. Sprinkle, Zoe says, he is sprinkled with snow 11. Mr. Rogers (For his Sweater)

These are subject to change.

OUT OF THE ATTIC

Meet Matilda, a few years ago, Heidi made this cute little witch and she told me she had to come home with me. The witch told me, not Heidi. Isn't she just the best little witch.

Here is the close up view. She hangs on a broom.

This is the dining room table. More might come later.

As you can see, I park my brooms at door ready to go. I have to tell you a little story about Zoe and one of my small brooms. She put the broom between her legs and said, "OK, now how do I go". It was sooo cute. I will never forget that. She was really serious and ready to go.

MY AUTUMN SWAP GIFT FROM BARBARA

My package from Barbara, who had my name in the Autumn Swap, was a treasure chest. I feel very spoiled. Thank you sooo much Barbara, I love it all.

This pillow was stitched then made by loving hands and it is really nice.

This is a pinkeep she made and then put it into this cute little bag.

This is the reverse side of the pinkeep and a wonderful witch on a card and to answer it, I hope I am a good witch. Barbara and I have had many talks about how we like witches. She was born on Halloween.

These two cards were included, one from her home town.

Now then, just look at all this. It came in a little zipper bag. Orange sissors, how cute are they. A little book with my initial and a bookmard and needles. Wow, I am one lucky person here. I love it all. Soon Barbara will have a birthday and I am already getting her package together.