Happy Thanksgiving

Our family has quite a bit to be thankful for this year. We really have so much to be thankful for EVERY year and ALL year long, but it seems this year has been very trying with job loss, moving, and Mom's illness. So we're especially grateful to all have each other right now.

Mom is finally home from the hospital. Took them three weeks to get her to the point where she could come home and get her "doctoring" on an outpatient basis. It's been a verrrrry long three weeks for us all. She's home and doing quite well. Looking forward to a real turkey dinner (made by moi of course). She is also amazed and touched by all of the lovely comments and good thoughts sent by so many of you. It's so nice to feel the care and concern that is still out there in this world of ours.

Another very bright spot for us right now is that my sister and her family will be rolling in from the state of Washington tomorrow. While Mom goes up to see them about every 6 months or so (via Amtrak - hate it..), Dad & I along with the rest of the clan haven't seen them in 3 years! I can't wait any longer... Our new home will be filled with family, friends, and lots of furry critters all vying for some of that turkey with all the fixings.

Bugsy demonstrates what he thinks his Daddy, his Uncle, both Granddads, etc (males) will look like after the meal...

So dear friends in blogland, know that I have missed you greatly and am looking forward to getting back in the groove with you and catching up on all that has gone on while I've been trekking back and forth to the hospitals.

Have a safe and satisfying Happy Thanksgiving, I am grateful for each and every one of you!

Mom Update & New Etsy Note Cards

UPDATE : Mom is still in the hospital, but has started her chemo. The doctors are very happy with her progress and how she is responding to it. She seems to have less of the side effects than she did back in 2005, so far. She's a trooper, my mama. I am very proud of her.

It is looking like she will be able to come home this weekend, after almost three weeks. This is great news since they had moved her to a hospital that was about 20 miles further away earlier this week which made it about an 80 mile round trip visit. I try to keep her company almost every day so this extra drive has been taking its toll both physically and financially. So please continue your great thoughts and prayers and know that our family really appreciates it.

Also, thank you all for the great comments on Dad's birthday post. He was really getting a kick out of the response (after I got in trouble for calling him crotchety...)

I've found a few minutes again to list more of my note cards on my Etsy shop . I am slowly getting them added a couple at a time. Check them out and let me know what you think. I'd really love some feedback. You can click the link above or on each photo to take you to that page.

Jessicurl Review & Giveaway

Karissa at Prissy Green invited the Hubby, now aka Mr. Mooncat, and I to review hair care products from Jessicurl. We did a his and hers perspective on the product line designed for those of us with naturally curly hair. It was a great way for us learn about this product line and share our findings with other curlyheads.

Please click HERE to check out our very first (and hopefully not the last) guest post/review and sign up for the generous giveaway being offered. While you're there, enjoy the many different things that Prissy Green has going on. Let her know you came her way from MoonCat Farms!

Dad turns 70

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Anyone that's met my Dad knows that he is a no-fuss, no frills kind of guy. He's an old time, real cowboy (crotchety) that was born in the wrong century. He's also gruff with a tough exterior that hides a big marshmallow center. He is a supreme animal lover with that vibe that makes most animals instantly adore him. He would do anything for those of that he loves and is loved by many. He doesn't like technology and would be happy up on a ranch in the middle of nowhere with his animals and a few, select people (I'm right there with him on that part, but I do love some of the technology.)

Anyway, throwing a party for him is like pulling teeth. He didn't want one, threatened not to be there, said he'd disown me, etc. I, of course, threatened to disown him right back or handcuff him to the barn if he didn't let me have my way and have a celebration. I finally reached a compromise with him. Since we're still having sorting practices on Sundays at the ranch, I asked him if we could combine a BBQ in with the practice since many of the same people would be there anyway. He relented, still grumbling, but did say OK.

It was obviously a meant t0 be thing as the weather was PERFECT. We have never had perfect weather on Dad's birthday. It's always been cold, raining, foggy, etc. so we couldn't plan an outside party or anything out of town. It was a beautiful sunny day with lovely warm temperatures. Almost everyone I invited made it and the food was terrific (I'm not bragging on myself, lots of side dishes were brought by the 40+ guests, yum.) Daddy had a lot of fun once he relaxed and let himself enjoy all of the people there to celebrate his day with him. He topped it off by winning the sorting jackpot at the end of the day.

Although I was very pleased with the day, I was a dummy and didn't take any pictures. I'm hoping one of our friends will share her photos. So for now, these are some pix of Dad from my wedding last year and a few others. I love you Daddy, Happy 70th!

Loot, Bounty, Treasure, Goodies, Prizes PART 2

Part 2 of my greedy, giveaway gluttony continues. But first, I'd like to apologize to all of the lovely gift-givers for the delay in posting about their wonderful prizes. I have been very lax in showing my appreciation for what they've given me. Thank you ladies, so very much! Now on to some lovelies....

Octoberfarm sent this neat, jaw-dropping package when I won her great giveaway just before Halloween. The presentation was so gorgeous that I almost didn't want to open it. (I knew what lovely, direct from Salem treats were awaiting me though, so I didn't resist!)

This little owl is so adorable! I was so tickled to find him nestled in the packaging. (side note: I have always had a real affinity with owls - I've had a collection of them for years. We currently have a pair of Great Horned Owls that live on the property. Yay!) Back to the goody: I managed to get the photos above, but I didn't get a chance to have my photo snapped in the lovely outfit yet (been a little swamped around here lately, will get to it soon though, I promise!) For now, you can see the lovely ensemble and more on the giveaway here , along with a cute picture of her daughter in the outfit. Her blog has the most amazing photography. A real treat, not to be missed!

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Fe at Rad Linc Crafts chose my name as one of her winners for these lovely treats below. Pretty funny since she is almost a neighbor up Highway 99 north of us! It's amazing how large and small our world can be at the same time.

The giftcard holder will be put to very good use in a little over a month or so (already?). I really like how she did the cute little fabric gift tags. What a great way to personalize and spiffy up packages or treats this holiday season. I'm keeping the pretty bookmark for myself, in fact it's already been put to use in my current book. Fe has a great new tutorial for clothespin gift tags which can be found on her blog here . She makes crafting a little easier for us all.

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These beautiful glass beads were sent to me from Cathi of Bead Brains just for being one of the lucky commenters on her post. Unfortunately, my photo doesn't do justice to her lovely original beads. They are so pretty. She has some amazing creations on her site. I'm looking forward to incorporating them into one of my upcoming projects. She just recently announced the opening of a new Etsy shop for supplies and de-stashing here. Check out both stores!

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My new friend Nydia made this darling little skull mobile which I won in one of Mrs B's daily drawings for the month of October. She sent me the pretty mobile plus the sweet little cat (I think she got a hint that I have a love of kitties!). Such a neat prize to receive, all the way from Brazil. Nydia has an awesome Etsy shop called Carioca Witch where you can find more of her great OOAK (one of a kind) pieces, crafted of felt and other materials. Be sure to go by and show her some love!

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This darling little zippy pouch and coin purse arrived accompanied by this cute little Tasmanian Devil postcard. While he looks nothing like my Looney Toon friend, he does have his own charms! These goodies came from Cindy at 2Paw . I don't know how I have survived this long without a coin purse. Gramma always had one and now so do I! (Both pouches are so cute, they make my purse look pretty shoddy!)

Cindy has some great tutorials as well as gorgeous photos and posts about her beautiful canine companions: Peri Naughty (the little sweetie who chose my name as the winner), Lorelai Gilmore, and Harki-Parki-Parker-Posey. Check out the latest post here. They are real cuties!

I almost hate to admit it, but I've won a couple of more wonderful prizes that haven't arrived just yet. So I guess I will be posting an unofficial Part 3 in the next week or so. (Did I mention that I have this thing about entering drawings, especially for handmade lovelies?)

Loot, Bounty, Treasure, Goodies, Prizes PART 1

This 2 part post is all about the giveaway goodness that I have been so very lucky to have won recently. I love to enter drawings (um, duh - obviously). Besides the thrill of winning, it is a blast to discover new blogs to explore. I have found some great places on the web all due to giveaways or blog hops. Please check out the sites of these generous bloggers below and see some of their great work.

Morgaine du Mer is the artist behind this awesome print:

Halloween Party Dress

that I won during the Ghoul's Guild "Trick or Treat" event. Isn't she gorgeous? Check out some of Morgaine's other pretties that I am adoring like Black Cat Halloween Original ACEO below. It reminds me of my Porkchop here at home!

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After winning these great earrings from Mad Science Creations, I checked out the great things up for grabs on her site, including this luscious corset. Lots of crafty goodness to be found. ~~~~~
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness (which we all know is an issue I'm passionate about), SewCalGal held a giveaway for this gorgeous fabric. My lucky number was drawn for this: It is a beautiful cotton print that Mom and I will be making a quilt from. She really likes pink so I think it will be perfect for her room. The fact that we can make it together will make it all the more special. SewCalGal has another great site here where she lists lots of giveaways and contests among other things. In fact, I just read her post on what is now going to be one of Mom's Christmas gifts . Go visit her sites and say Hi for me!

Part 2 of this giveaway goodness post will continue tomorrow....

Almost Back on Track

Thank you all so much for the best wishes and prayers. Mom is really touched by all of the good thoughts being sent her way from the blogosphere! When she gets settled back here at home, she asked if she could write something to thank everyone for thinking of her. I told her she could do a guest post any time she wants!!!

She is feeling so much better. They have done a few procedures in the last few days that have really eased her breathing. It sounds like they're going to let her come home on Wednesday. Her nursing staff is the bomb! She has some extremely sweet & caring people taking very good care of her. I am thankful for and impressed by them. She will be starting her chemo next week if all goes according to plan (like that ever seems to happen around here..) But her spirits are way up and she's regaining some of her strength.

I, on the other hand, have succumbed to the crud. I'm hoping it's just a cold and not the dreaded flu, but I couldn't go see her today at the hospital as I was running a fever and have a sore throat. Thank goodness for cell phones as we chatted several times during the day. The Ant has been wonderful in keeping her company as well. She actually spent the night with her on Thursday. She has much more stamina than I do! I think they were really having a slumber party and just trying to keep the annoying man in the room next door up all night. They do tend to giggle a lot when they're together..

I am working on a post for tomorrow to show off some of the giveaway goodies I've been the super lucky recipient of as of late. Between Blogtoberfest and the Ghoul's Guild, I was pretty well spoiled rotten with prizes. Major fun... (I'm going to host another one myself very soon, so keep tuning in!)

And just so I won't be boring you yet again with a "no photo post", here's a shot of Chandler. He seems to be confused as to which end is supposed to be on the pillow....

Quick Update

Thank you so much for all of the best wishes and thoughts. Mom is actually in the hospital right now. We had to take her by ambulance on Monday and they've kept her there all week. She is undergoing lots of tests and various procedures to try to help her breathing. Once they get that taken care of, they will start the new chemo in a week or so.

Dogie's opinion on Mom being in the hospital

I'll be back with an update and a post when I can. Take care all!

Doctors and more Doctors

I will probably be off the grid for a few days and take a blogging break. We have several doctor appointments lined up for Mom and it looks like possibly for Dad now too. So I'll be back in a few days with pictures of all of the giveaway goodness that has come my way and some new giveaway news of my own.

For now, here's a photo of Bugsy guarding (also known as napping on) some of my fabric stash.

Sunday Selections

"Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments." - Rose Kennedy