I "stole" this picture from Ray's Weather ... this is on the top of Sugar Mountain (where we had our Octoberfest art show). Isn't it like an ICELAND? So gorgeous and still. Oh yeah, and cold!
It was in the 20 degree range when I came home from work tonight. The "3-lane" was definitely slippery, but here I am, home safe and sound!
Watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.
Did you see the "We Are the World" remake clip they showed? Oh my, I am a bucket of tears from that. Can't wait to see the entire thing. What a brilliant job they did of keeping it together and changing it all in one. My hat is tipped, Quincy!
So deeply saddened by the death of the Georgian athlete (leuger-sp?). God speed to your place in heaven, young man. Rest in peace.
My sister and her husband have finally begun the framing on their new home. They've been waiting for Mother Nature to give them an opening! YAY!! From the looks of the pictures, it's going to be a lovely, wonderful and beautiful home. Wishing you an effortless construction event and a wonderful life in your new home, Cyndie and Paul. Can't wait to follow the progress and eventually visit the finished project!
NieNie, who's blog I read, is in Arizona going through some unspeakably painful surgeries and preparing for even more. She is the woman who literally fell out of the sky with her husband in a small plane, was burned over 86% of her body, survived against most odds given, and has faced her future with unbelievable grace and bravery. Please, say a prayer for her. She and her husband, Christian have 4 small children to raise. She so very much wants to get strong enough to do an honorable job of it all. She could really use some extra good thoughts right now. Visit her site! Her button is on the side ... click on it!
Dr. Crain, who is the executive director of The Crossnore School, had some very intense spinal surgery today to correct a problem with her T-8, which was brought on with her battle with breast cancer. She is in Houston at M.D. Anderson and is going to be staying there for some additional chemo to address 7 malignant tumors in her liver. This woman has pretty much given her last 20 years (or more) to the children of Crossnore, and all that implies. She has made some very difficult decisions, but has made GREAT strides in the housing and love given to these children. Dr. Crain could also use some prayers. Continuously. My boss is on the Board of Directors for the Crossnore School, which is how Paul & I were able to learn about their children. Hugh (my boss) is also in need of some prayers. His health is tedious, his will is HUGE and his desire to heal is unexplainable. He's an amazing fella.
Yesterday would've been my daddy's birthday. He would've been really old - 84! I thought about him all day ... then sometime around 9PM I realized why when I noticed what the date was! Funny how that happens. I was thinking about him because I was working at home ... and things are so automatic and instantaneous now with computers and internet and etc. I remember when he worked at home, it was calculators with tape and noise, and typewriters with carbon paper and FAX machines, which were incredibly amazing at that time. I was chuckling about how quickly things happen and how he would've been so impressed. He asked me once if he hit the "home" button on his keyboard, would it beam him back to his kitchen!? He ended up figuring out how to disassemble and reassemble a PC before he died ... even if he was 78 years old. Always the engineer at heart! Oh, how I miss him. A.Lot.
Another fella that I miss is Steve, of course. It'll soon be a year since he decided to go to sleep for eternity. He sure did predict a lot of events that absolutely came to be this past year. But he NEVER predicted the Saints winning the Super Bowl this year! HA! I miss Steve a lot too. I've still got a long way to go for that big hole in my heart to heal. But it will. And so will every one's who is still struggling with it. Kathy, we're sending you lots of hugs and love.
Our grandson, CADE, turned 8 years old on the 9th of this month! I understand he had a party last Saturday.. I hope to find out all the details soon to share, of course!
As you are aware, my clouds ALWAYS have silver linings in them. It's a MUST for me. It is around this time of year that I seem to run out of steam to keep blowing up those silver linings and keep them floating. I continuously rely on my faith, my family, the love of those around me and yes, even the fairies, and I always feel like the power of positive thinking is the way to go. As I'm watching all these athletes going into the arena where they are gathering, I'm able to feel all the energy these talented, unique and amazing people are generating in their hope and excitement! In drawing on all that energy and power, maybe I'll keep those silver linings a float after all. Whew. I was beginning to become concerned!
Let the show begin, Canada!
I heard a great question on the radio this morning:
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D DO?
I'll leave you with that! Would LOVE to hear your answers!!!!
Meanwhile .... Happy Weekend!
Good luck, Olympic contenders!
Blessings to everyone!
Paul & Cheri
Not a great one .... but still .... a WEAVER of fiber --- not just dreams!
This little 5 inch wide scarf requires 60 strings of cotton! It is a lot to keep up with and is fairly intimidating to load onto the loom. But my weaving teacher was here, thank goodness, so I didn't end up tied up or tangled up in it all. And goodness knows I would have without Lisa. Lisa Banner is the weaver guru at The Crossnore Weaving Room. She is a wonderfully patient teacher and an incredible weaver in her own right.
This is what the loom looks like from the weaver's point of view, more or less
This is what the tool area looked like as we tweaked and adjusted some things. And by we, I mean Lisa. :-)
This is the view from the observers point of view. The big frame with the pegs on it in the background is the warping board where you tie the cotton on to get your strings counted out and ready to load onto the loom. It was wonderful to do it with Lisa standing right beside me. When I attempt this on my own, I'll need a padded room, no doubt!
Essentials .... cotton thread and coffee
Sometimes you need a drill ... makes a great bobbin winder. I obviously have a few parts to order! But as the book title indicates, LEARNING!
