Happy Halloween...

...this is what greets you in the morning when your hubs has an extra fifteen minutes before leaving for work, a hammer that hasn't been put away and some upholstery tacs...Enjoy your treaters!

punkin' love,
mama pajama

I get by...

...with a little help from my friends.

After what seemed to be a trying last few weeks I was pleasantly surprised to find my mailman bearing a package addressed to me.

At first I did not recognize the return name and address, often fellow bloggers don't use their real name, and it took me a moment to realize that it was from Karen-Deborah from Fresh Fixins.

I couldn't wait to tear open gently unwrap the beautiful sage green tissue paper...my favorite color by the way.  Inside I was delighted to find two books...Rose from Brier by Amy Carmichael and Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden by Emily Whaley.  Alongside these two reads was a lovely box of 'Earl Gray Lavender Tea.'  How did she know how much I love tea?  There were even a few goodies stashed in there too!  And...a beautiful card.  Thank you KD, your friendship means the world to me,  and your thoughtful gift could not have come at a better time.

lovin' my bloggy friends,
mama pajama 

Frames...

...I have been hell-bent lately on my quest for picture frames.  I have a project in mind for one of my 'girls' and so I search, and search, and search for the perfect frame.  It doesn't have to be new, so my search includes thrift shops, it doesn't matter what is in the frame, as long as the glass is intact.  I have a picture in my mind of the frame and I will know it when I see it but as of yet that has not happened.

As the hubs was waiting for a prescription last week I wandered next door to an Antique Mall.  You know the kind, vendors set up their booths all under one big roof.  It is a treasure hunters paradise and I could lose myself in there for hours at a time.  Once again, I was on the look-out for the frame, I came across a box on the floor near a booth.  It was rather dusty and after some sneezing and yucking about my hands getting dirty I pulled out a frame.  This frame:

with this beautiful cutie inside.  Take a closer look at her...

There is something about this painting that deeply touches me.  Maybe it's the red-headed girl, maybe it's the rain, or the pink hooded-jacket. 

This is a painting by Edna Hibel, one of America's best loved and most widely acclaimed contemporary artists.  Major museums and galleries in London, Vienna, Monaco, Rio, Germany, Belgium, Israel, Sweden and Norway.  Her gentle and penetrating message of Peace, Love and the inalienable dignity of humanity has won her a devoted following. Painter, scuptor, and porcelain artist...(from the back of the painting).

Now are you ready for this?  I found and fell in love with this little sweetie immediately and just knew I had to have her for my very own.  It didn't matter who had painted it or when or where...I needed her to come live in my home. And so she did...for $6.  

loving the thrifting,
mama pajama

Tuesday's tids...

...this will be short and sweet today.

You know the whole "riding in car with my fav guy" scenario?  Well, it didn't happen...so much for making plans.

I did ride in the car with my fav guy, coffee in hand, no camera...but it was only to the grocery store.

The 'Frankentoe' is healing well although the hubs is completly appalled by it.  Don't look...geez.

I love looking at hands, I think they tell a lot about a person.  My mother had 'working' hands.  They were big for a woman and had obviously seen hard work in her day.  My daughter has beautiful hands.  Very feminine with slender fingers made for jewelry, and strong nails that don't chip or peel.  I just looked down at my hands and thought...'where did I get these old woman hands from?'

I found a little cutie at the thrift store today that I can't wait to share with you, tomorrow!

And finally...does any one really use that 'rack' that comes with your microwave?

inquiring minds want to know,
mama pajama 

Gratitude...

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, making peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

Melody Beattie

Heartfelt Friday...

...I was fitted for my post-op walking cast today and got the a-o.k. to be up on it for short periods of time.  yay!  I am hoping to talk the hubs into taking me for a car ride this weekend and check out the beautiful fall foliage.  So, I will be riding in car(s) with my favorite guy, coffee in hand and camera at the ready...what about you?

image via weheartit

easing into the weekend,
mama pajama

Waiting and Wandering...

...for me waiting invariably leads to wandering, of my mind at least.  I had a follow-up visit with my doc today, the first one after my surgery.  My foot looks excellent except for the missing toe-nail which is just too gross for me to even think about.  (it will be over a year before it grows back!)  It was, quite oddly reminiscent, seeing the pins and screws holding things together but I think I did pretty well.  I will go back next week to have stitches removed and then we'll see after that.  So, here I am, 'grounded' again, and thinking of all the years I have spent waiting.  It's no wonder a mind gets to wandering.

I remember being on bed rest for three weeks, in the hospital, while I was expecting our daughter.  It was a tough time as I had a two year old at home and those were the days of no-visitors-under-eighteen.  I waited and waited and she came five weeks early despite my best efforts.  She had plans, big ones, and they did not include incubating for nine months.  I like to think I gave her a running start with those three weeks.

I remember waiting for months and months, being on bed rest or in a wheelchair, no weight bearing in a house full of stairs, hoping the reconstructive surgery on my foot would work.  I remember how lonely it was and I kept wondering "where is everyone?"  Where was all the support, love, compassion and companionship that you expect when you go through something like this.  My husband, my children...the only ones holding me up, literally and emotionally.  It was a tough time and it didn't work.  I lost my foot and learned to walk again, with only them by my side.

There...I wandered and forgot my point!

A few weeks ago, in a Tuesday tid post, I mentioned a fellow blogger who had been selling some quilted bags for a fund-raiser.  I sent the money, believing in the friendship we had forged through our blogs, but never received the bag.  I was upset, hurt more than anything, so I mentioned it.  I felt better afterward and told myself that the money was not the important issue, obviously she needed something from me and I would have given it to her, even without the promise of something in return.  I didn't leave her name or her blog-name as I was embarrassed for myself and for her.

Yesterday her world collided with the Karma world and it was an ugly thing to watch.  Apparently I was not the only one who was so kind-hearted and generous.  She has been outed and unfortunately pays the price of her misdeeds.  Not only has she ruined her bloggy friendships but many of those in her real life too.  They and we have all lost our trust in someone we cared for. I am beyond understanding why anyone would do this.  Attention?  I mean really?  what does she gain from this game?

So, I sit here for the next few weeks wondering, while my mind wanders and the memories of waiting absorb me...

image via weheartit

wanting, waiting, hoping,
mama pajama

Thrifty Treasures...

...a few weeks ago, while shopping with a friend, I was pushed, pulled, dragged, encouraged to stop into a Thrift shop with her.  I enjoy a clean, organized Thrift shop now and again and so I was completly delighted, yes 'delighted', to find some treasures.  I thought I would share some of them today as I have absolutely nothing for Tuesday's tids!

I collect vases and pitchers and found this pitcher for $1.99!
My hubs thinks it looks like something from 'The House of Pancakes' but I am sure it is not.  It's very small, only about 5" high and 3" across.  Very cute...

 I also found this little ring holder.  At least that's what I think I'll use it for...I'm not sure.  It is quite small also, only about 2"x 2", and rests on some tiny, gold feet. This little goodie set me back $.99. 

And last for today, milk glass.  I have recently discovered my love for milk glass and have found a few pieces to start my new collection.  This one is good sized...about 7" tall and 5" wide.  I have not decided what to put in it yet...any ideas??

What about you...do you dive into a thrift shop or drive past them?

crappy picture taker,
mama pajama 

PSA...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you've got 'em, go get 'em squished! At the very least do your monthly self-exam. You can make a difference. We must do all we can to save second base ;)


p.s. on the p.s.a...
everything went well with the hammer surgery.  I am up, walking around...well that's not true, mostly I'm sleeping with it elevated but I could be up if I wasn't so darned sleepy.  Thanks for all your concern y'all!

mama pajama

True confession Thursday...

...I was going to start a new meme today but thought I should clean up some loose ends first.  I will be trying a new "True Confession Thursday" soon and hope you will join in.  It could be very interesting!

Day night four of the up all night road work crew.  For those of you who were wondering how they could possibly see well enough to work all night...lights.  Huge, bright, glowing, screaming lights.  Lights that make our bedroom look like high-noon in the middle of July lights.  Bright lights...I'm just sayin'

As you know, I have had several pre-op appointments this week.  And yes, they were at 7ish a.m. and they were at doctor offices, not the hospital, and yes!  I managed to get there on time, in one piece, and somewhat coherent. ( I'm shocked)  I only began driving again, after a one year hiatus due to medical problems, last week so it was SO good to get out and do things by. my. self.

Here is my true confession for this week...I have a hammer toe.  It's very unattractive and is bent in such a way that I have a continuous blister on the 'top.'  For most people that would not be a problem but for me, and my medical circus barrel of fun, it is just too dangerous to let it be.  If the blister were to become infected then I would run the risk of losing my toe and possibly more.  Been there, done that...not because of an infection but I refuse to go 'there' again.

Friday morning, at the butt crack  break of dawn, I will be having a procedure to straighten out the hammer.  It will be fused and held in place with a pin.  And hopefully, no more hammer-toe.  (there is a nasty joke there, I just know it!)  

I will be off the foot for a few days and back to normal in a few weeks.  While I am off be prepared to be stalked as I will be bored out of my mind.  At least when I was down with my back I had some great meds to keep me company...not so much this time!   Take care y'all and I'll see you soon. 

What is your Thursday confession??

bringin' down the hammer,
mama pajama 

Tuesday's tids...

...the up all night edition.

we live in a rural area.  Behind our house is a power company easement, usually well taken care of. Behind that is a two lane road and across the street from there is farm land.  So  when I saw a sign the other day stating that there would be road work this week from 8-4, I naturally assumed they meant day time hours.  NO...it's 8pm to 4am.  

I have two doctor appointments this week.  One is at 7:15 am and the other at 7:20 am, on different days.  These are pre-op appointments (not to worry) so I had no control over the time but...sheeesh!  

It's been a long time since I have been up and out by 7am, fully dressed and coherent. In fact, I wasn't sure there was a 7am until the hubs reminded me.

So, what's new with you this Tuesday?

looking forward to a nap,
mama pajama

Summer's last hurrah....

It was warm and sunny here Saturday and then, that evening, you could feel the cold, crisp air moving in.  The temps dipped down into the 20's and the flowers cried.  Luckily I had snapped a few last pics of them as they faded away until next year.  I miss summer already!

We went up to my son's place on Saturday to check on a few things while they are out of town.  We grabbed some fish and chips and a coffee drink and sat out on their lanai (we usually just call it a porch or deck but 'lanai' sounds so civilized)  overlooking Puget Sound.  It was a lovely afternoon and we had a great time.  And,  just in case you were wondering or worried...NO...I did not toss my cookies again!  Have a great day y'all!

Heartfelt Friday...

"the last great freedom of man

is

the freedom to choose

his attitude

under

any given set

of

circumstances."

quote by Victor Frankl

Holocaust survivor

travel safe and enjoy the weekend,

mama pajama

Aye--yi--yi--yi--yi...

...I appreciate all your comments and wonderful suggestions for cameras, editing, and fodder...BUT...if I gave the impression that I am bored with or burdened by blogging it couldn't be farther from the truth.  I LOVE blogging.  I love my little space on the internets...it's all mine.  Mine, mine, mine.  Yep, and I can decorate it any way I want, and I don't have to share, it's all for me and did I say I love it!  I also love peeking into your wonderful heads with my inquiring mind...

With that said I will move on.  I finally decided that it was time to get some fall decorations up around here.  I haven't done much in the way of decorating for the seasons or the holidays in quite a long time.  It just seemed like too much work and then it all had to be put away...I lost interest.  Lately though I have been spending a lot of time reading decorating/diy blogs and I am beginning to discover or rediscover my love for decorating, paper crafting, and my vintage collections, which I intend to share soon.  So here is my fall wreath...what do you think? It's a couple of years old, bought put together but  I keep adding and subtracting from it.  I keep looking at it and for some reason it just feels like it needs something more.  Not quite sure what that 'more' is though.


two days without buying a shirt!
mama pajama

Midlife crisis...

...I've been having trouble finding blog fodder lately.  It seems that raking leaves, blanching green beans and making applesauce makes for some pretty boring posts after awhile.  Although, the hubs fell at work and hit his head today which may or may not turn out to be blog worthy...lets hope not.

I keep a list with me...always on the ready to jot down something interesting or funny (or both) to blog about.  They seem so interesting at the time but after I get back home, sit down, and take a long hard look at the list...well...I got nothin'.  Usually those things end up on the Tuesday tid-list.


I have pictures, I take tons of them, but I don't have a good photo editing program so they are usually SOTC and most of them are not sufficient for an entire post.

I feel like I am in limbo at this stage of my life.  My children are grown and married with homes and lives of their own.  We have no prospect of grandchildren in the near future.  We still have at least ten plus years of work left before retirement comes.  And we will be paying off the two recent weddings for a very, very, long time.  We are in the middle...is that why they call it middle-age or midlife?  Is this a midlife crisis?

How about you...do you come to the table with a post in mind or do you wing it?  And as long as we're talking photos (?), what kind of camera are you using...do you like it...would you choose it again?  Thanks for helping me out here and for putting up with a little bit of 'blah' until I get back in the game or at least finish up some of those projects that are hanging around here. 


didn't buy a shirt today!
mama pajama

Tuesday's tids...

...true confessions edition.

after many, many years, my hubs work schedule has changed, including his days off.  I spent the day thinking it was Sunday...and yes, it did seem a little strange to me when the doctors office called.  I'm so confused.

We are "cat sitting" this week while my daughter and her hubs are out of town.  When I told her that I was hoping to hear the pitter-patter of little feet soon I was not expecting it to be cats.

I'm not a cat person.

While I was looking for something in the hubs closet I found 14, yes fourteen, shirts.  Of mine.  I must have put them in there when I was changing out my closet last fall as they are all long-sleeve.


And three vests.

The first step in getting help is admitting you have a problem...I have a shirt addiction.  Help me.


So, how is your week going so far?


looking for more room in her closet,
mama pajama

Going around...

...I've spent this beautiful fall Saturday getting green beans and apples ready for the freezer, making an apple pie, and running errands.  Where I got all this energy from I'll never know.  I do know that I better take full advantage of it as my health status can change so quickly.  So while I am busy with this and that I thought I would share with you a quote that seems to be going around.  You have probably seen it lately but it was new to me and was one of those that made me think...hmmm.

My Life

"for a long time it seemed to me

that life was about to begin--

real life.

But, there was always

some obstacle in the way.

Something to be got through

first,

some unfinished business,

time still to be

served,

a debt to be paid.

Then, life would begin.

At last it dawned on me

that these obstacles were

my life."

quote by, Fr. Alfred D'Souza

I hope your weekend is going well, if you get a chance please head over to Mama Bear's place and give her a dose of bloggy love~~~she is going through some tough times right now.  See you Monday y'all.

mama pajama

On such a day...

"On such a day each road is planned
To lead to some enchanted land;
Each turning meets expectancy.
The signs I read on every hand.
I know by autumn's wizardry
On such a day the world can be
Only a great glad dream for me--
Only a great glad dream for me!"
-   Eleanor Myers Jewett, An Autumn Day