Life gets in the way sometimes!

Well, I lied!  We were supposed to be in Washington D.C. for the 50th Celebration of Peace Corps by today.  Life intervened again.  Last weekend, for my hubby's birthday, we were planning to go to the boat, sit and enjoy the sunset and stars and celebrate.  For some weeks previous, I had been battling a bad stomach, and by the time we were sitting on the boat, I was doubled over with abdominal pain.  We turned around and came home and tried to rest, but I was clutching my stomach most of the time.  By 12:30 a.m. we decided that a long weekend of pain was not something we were looking forward to, so off to the E.R. we went. Sedated on morphine and saline, I was "well" enough to go home at 5 a.m. Ugh, not a fun night, and a week later, I am still suffering with pain and gas, and concerns.  I have a specialist appointment next week, so see what is going on.  My dad had diverticulitis, so I know that it might be the problem.  I have tried to be good about what I take in, so I am hoping to turn this around...So why did I tell you all of this?  Well it is my excuse for not traveling this weekend, and for being a little afraid to be too far away if an attack hits me.  I am hoping our friends at the reunion will take alot of pics, we are so sad we are not there with them..

Meanwhile, I still am managing to work, and juggle my various jobs.  We finally had a real estate payday, and have started paying our bigger bills.  And I am subbing at least one day a week...Retail hours means I am working 7 days a week, but I haven't felt too tired yet.  As long as my stomach cooperates...I give it a talking to every day!

We are having a rainy week, which means I return to my crafts, one at a time.  Crocheting while watching T.V., attaching beads and making some new jewels, and my quilt is being returned to again.  It would be nice to finish something, but such is the adhd world I live in. 

My hubby's big Irish family had their annual Labor Day picnic, at a local park, here are a few pics of the cousins and extended family!

 

Tonight is my daughter's homecoming, though she is opting out of the dance.  I will be selling hotdogs for PTA before the game, but as I write this, rain is constant.  Hope I can locate a raincoat before then!

Highschool has been a challenge for daughter, but I am proud of her work ethic and getting herself up and out the door every morning.  Quite a different child from her older brother...need I say more?

I hope you are finding time to do what you enjoy, leave me a comment, on how you do it!

Back to school update!

Sorry, friends, it has been a hectic month!  My posts are less frequent, but lots of stuff continues to go on!  Daughter is back to school, this year starting as a freshman at our local high school.  Can't believe my baby girl is old enough, but the day finally arrived.  And just the day before, her braces finally came off after a 4 1/2 year run.  She still has an uneven teeth, but we decided we would deal with it later, after the retainer phase.  My smiley teen is on the far left, but her friends proudly show their pearly whites as well.

Just a month ago, I was working for a quilt shop.  After reluctantly leaving that job, which was 10 miles one way, and 5-6 days and full time, I recalled one of the employers who had contacted me, in the interim.   Got the job at a local women's fashions store on my birthday, and promptly started the next week.  I only work part time, and am training to open and close, but base pay includes commission on large sales.  I haven't really scored any big ones yet, but I hope to as we get cooler weather.  (Today was 93 degrees, but storms are coming to clear out the humidity. )

I am also back to "school" as I am subbing again, on my days off...and with 2 real estate listings, my days have been full, though I can't say we are comfortable yet.  Trying to play catch up with so many bills!  And son has been anxious to move out again, so we are bracing for more upheaval.  We will weather this too.

On the creative front, I haven't had a whole lot of time to make things, except that working for a women's fashion store, makes me want to buy my clothes, not make them.  And if you have ever been in our store, you would know they are known to have lovely jewelry.  So a quick trip to our local bead warehouse, bought me these quartz and amethyst stones, to embellish my plain jain chains. 

Pic were taken on different days, different locations, but you can see what a pair of round nose pliers, head pins and loose crystal or pearl beads can do to a boring chain.  I made earrings and bracelets to match, not shown.  While I have spent alot of time sewing and creating tutorials in the past, more recently, with the lack of time, I look for quick projects that don't have alot of steps to them.  I have to have blocks of time to really enjoy sewing again, and those have been non-existent with my varied work schedule.  I miss holding linky parties, and if you have been regularly visiting to do this, I do apologize, that they have been absent for now.  Hope you keep coming back to see what I have been up to.

A simple glass pendant, and crystal beads, using head pins.  This necklace knockoff cost me almost nothing to make, compared to the $50.00 plus items we sell at my new retail store.  I plan to finish the purple stone one tonight. 

And speaking of bling, check out my daughter's outfit for her first fancy dance!  She was invited by a boy that is a friend to their homecoming dance.  She invited her friend to accompany his friend, and a large group of them went to dinner and then the dance.  We parents got to play paparazzi, and take pics before and at our local park. 

The kids clean up real good, right?

I am anxiously awaiting word as to how the night is going.  Blogging and wasting time watching tv.  Of course I had to facebook the pics.  I am sure I will post an update, stay tuned!

Looking ahead, in 2 weeks, hubby and I are going to Washington D.C. to the 50th reunion of the Peace Corps.  While we served 33 years ago in El Salvador, the celebration is for all past and current volunteers.  There is a varied program of activities, including serving at various sites on Friday, a gala dance and a bevy of speakers and activities.  Sunday, we plan to march with our group, carrying our country of service flag, on the mall. While we don't have this trip budgeted, we will be keeping it frugal.  We will reconnect with everyone, including our friend Steve, who is just back from a year in Pakistan working for a government agency.  He has some harrowing stories for sure!

More slice of life stuff, thanks for visiting!  Hope to be more regular with tutorials soon.