Another side of me

Ok so you all know I scrapbook. And I love doing stuff crafty. I'm making ribbon angels now for the family which BTW are coming out pretty damn cool if I do say so myself. I have made wooden angels -- yep doing my woodwork on my band saw. I have painted Santas made of peanut resin. But I also used to make bears -- yes teddy bears with movable arms and legs. That's where my "joints" are now adays!!! Ha, ha!!! That always gets everyone's attention!!! The joints are made up of hex screws, with fender washers, and locking bolts. There is a buffer in between the fender washer and the material of the arm/leg/body of the bear so as not to rub a hole in the material. And to assemble the joints, that is done with MY own set of tools of course. The bears are sewn normally from different types of fur, i.e., mohair, alpaca, polyester, cotton, etc. However, some special bears are made from wool coats, linings of rain coats, bedspreads, suits, and other materials that might be special to certain recipients. I have even made bears out of a wool suit and dressed them in the lining of the suit via a vest or hat. I named them Memory Bears because when you receive them they make you remember the memories of the special person.

For example, there are pictures here of the bear that I made for my mother-in-law when my father-in-law died fifteen years ago. Why do you ask am I bringing this up right now???? Well I am now the privileged owner of the bear. The family decided that they wanted the little bear to come back to it's maker to enjoy too. You see when Chief died, we took his London Fog coat and I took out the fur lining. There was just enough to make two normal size bears for my two nieces -- his granddaughters Kaycee and Karlee. There was not enough to make bears for the rest of us, namely his two grandsons (who probably never would have admitted that they wanted bears anyway) and the three sons---not even considering the daughter's in law or his wife. So because my MIL was so sad that she didn't get her own bear, I caved in and took the little bit of fur that remained from the left over bears and constructed a head and hands and feet. The rest of this little bear is made from one of Chief's ties. Yes, a tie. A striped tie nonetheless which some of the seams stripes were actually matched. What am I crazy you ask? Well yes I am. I didn't like the way the tie met the fur so I added ribbon with beads all hand sewn on the body of the bear on each arm and each leg making it look like he's in his pj's. There is a bow around his neck with a ruffle. Well little did I know that my MIL would have wanted to call this bear "Ern" after her Ernie who we all called Chief (because that's who he was ... our chief). Well when I gave Cec the bear the first question was "Why is Ernie wearing ribbons and beads? He never would have worn ribbons and beads. He was a man's man!!" I said that he would wear anything that looked good on him and from that moment on, she wouldn't let go of the bear. He sat in a place of honor in her home, usually in the front window on top of a flower planter she loved. When she passed, her sons asked me if I wanted the bear and I jumped at the chance to hold on to the bear for a little while. So enjoy the pics as you can see the handy work on the bear. I guess that's why my license plate is "BEARCRZ" to show you just how crazy for bears that I am!!!
















Check out the stripes and hand sewing. Next he's sitting on my keyboard at work. Oops supposed to be workin but guess I'm not really getting much done!!!


Well ya all take care now.










Bear Hugs to you all,
KTTTT.....

Where Oh Where

did January and February go? It seems that I've been a little behind lately. I guess I'm just trying to get back into things or with things or over things. Hmmm, I'm not sure that's a realistic goal but what the hey -- it has to get better right???


Jana says that the Blizzard of 2009 never hit and then when they were making up the day and all was white, they went to school anyway. Go figure!!!

Rosemary says that change may not be the actual word that she wishes to use when describing her new found way for 2009, but change isn't a bad thing.

If we all just took what we get from within ourselves and actually listened to see what we really need or want, we could all be just a little bit happier.

Ok, so I've been going through pictures because the first full weekend in March is my crop in OC. Yeah!!! Can't wait. With all my happenings since my trips started in November and December and unexpected illnesses and losses over the last month, it's been a little draining. I think my body finally gave in and the symptoms of the cold took over. Exhaustion isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's just a sign that you need to SLOW DOWN and take care of YOURSELF! Hmm, concept not understood by Karen. Anyway do you know that if you take that Airborne stuff by actually reading the directions and following them, it works. Hey that stuff is magic. The cold subsided quickly but the exhaustion is still there. So the OC crop will be a welcome relief. But my goal for this crop is to pack only what I will actually use. (Rosemary and Jana, stop laughing. I'm gonna do it you hear me!!! I can too do it!!! I have to learn some how now don't I??)

I have three projects to work on while there:
Project One: a "HOLIDAYS" word book (five of them). Boy I will never learn now will I? That's one for me, my M&D, my brother, and two sisters too. It will be like the Thanksgiving book that I made for M&D and me. It will have pics of the family gathered for the holidays in Florida. I will make at least one of them and then "mirror" the other books for the rest of the family for presentos.
Project Two: a "Cecilia" word book (three of them). Those are to commemorate my mother-in-law's pics into word books for her three sons. At least that's the plan. My hope is to get one of those done with papers on the book itself and fill in the pics after I get them scanned in and printed out. I have to choose the right ones to fit in the book when done. So getting the papers on the pages and cracking some paint, and embossing some of it will be quite a lot to accomplish. But we will see.
Project Three: a "Cinotti" word book (for the rest of Cecilia's sisters, brother, and her nieces and nephews). That's her maiden name and I thought it would be something nice to do for all the folks I spent the time with in the hospital. We all gather together for birthdays, 4th of July parties, Christmas, etc. So we have many pictures of all the relatives growing up. Why not put some of those blackmail type pics into these books??? Hmmm, sounds like a plan to me. I don't know if I will get to this book or not but I will be doing this project this year too.

Then, Rosemary, on a whim I went to Hagerstown last Saturday. I just didn't have enough ribbon on hand! So I had to go look for more. Imagine that -- not enough ribbon. What was I thinking???? BUT I found the PERFECT ribbon for angels!!! For the Italian Catholic relatives, I am making a ribbon angel that they will (hopefully) either get at Easter or Christmas. Why the difference in the dates you say?? Well AC Moore and Michaels do not seem to stock the angel heads and arms except for at the "holiday season" and good luck finding them when they do supposedly stock them. So they have been ordered from the internet and am waiting on receipt. Will play it by ear to see if they work. I hope so.

But the angels are being made from a silver 2 1/2 inch ribbon which is called "Basilica" which has a circle with a cross in it. And the arms of the angels are out of an "Iris" ribbon which has a cross stamped on it. The ribbon actually starts as a pretty purple and fades to white then to blue. It's prettier than the description. The first angel is sitting in my room waiting to be glued down. But it looks pretty good for the very first one every made by Karen. That one will stay at my house as I try to keep the first of my projects for myself. If I can't keep the prototype then I usually don't get around to making my own.

Well I have to go but wanted to let my two faithful readers and Casii too know that I'm still around just moving very slowly. It's ok and I'm getting better but trying to catch up on lots of lost sleep. Energy levels are low and so haven't been in touch. But February is half over and March is coming. Spring is on the way. And I will be too soon.

Take care and hugs to ya all!
KTTTT...............

New Revelation....

Karlee & Kaycee at their big brother's wedding in Sept 2007

So over the last few months I have learned again what is important. There are many reasons why I had forgotten this but 2008 was a year of firsts and new beginnings for me. It was good no matter how it happened. I got a new job (which I just celebrated my first year anniversary for this week); I had my very first manicure and pedicure (wow so old to have my first ones; I never knew what I was missing!!); decision to take care of me was panning out and I was happier (most days) with myself than I had been in quite some time; went on scrapbooking trips with adopted family members more than once for the year and actually got projects DONE (something that normally doesn't happen); and most importantly I remembered what Christmas should be like when you remember the reason for the season and spend it with family. I have been including pics of my side of my family in Florida. But I am now lucky enough to begin getting pics of my family on my other side -- the in-law side. My nieces and nephews are growing by leaps and bounds. Do you realize that my "kids" range from 30 to 5. Wow that's a pretty large swing. So here goes Sean is 30, Scott is 28 1/2, Kristen is almost 26, Kaycee is 24, Karlee is almost 22, Mike is almost 20, CJ is 16 1/2, Meg is 11 1/2, and Jessica just turned 5 on Christmas Day. Wow! How lucky am I? I'd say pretty damn lucky! So I'm gonna include some more pictures here for you to see for yourselves how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. This doesn't include my brothers & sisters in law, sisters and brothers-in-law, and my Mom & Dad and all my Aunts and Uncles either.

The bestest part of all this realization is that I know have PICTURES of real people to put in my books. Not just books with empty pages but pictures too. I'm going to OC again in March and I can really scrap like all the other tables that have many photos to include. This is something else new to me. I haven't had real pictures to include in so long I may not remember how to do it. Ha, ha. I can't wait. I'm doing a Christmas Holiday Album with all the Florida family and ME. I will post those when it's done after my trip. So get ready for a real treat. It's been a trying last few months but it's looking up in 2009. It's gonna be mighty-fine in 09.

Karlee - isn't she cute????

Kaycee, Sean, Scott & Karlee chillin out at the cottage!!!!

Look at these cute sisters, Karlee & Kaycee.

Meg & JJ - silly sisters!!!!

Back row: Me, Greg (one of my BILs). Kevin, my brother, Beth (one of my SILs)

Front row: Courtney Jean (CJ), Mike, Kristen (Kris)

Miss Kris.....................................and her "little" brother Mike

Miss CJ again (she was being bad as usual)

That's part of MY FAMILY!!!!

Hugs to ya,

KTTTT.....

A Tribute To A Good Woman...

After a month's fight, we lost my mother-in-law. But not without her holding on and recognizing all of us coming to visit her at the hospital after a massive stroke which took her body away from her. She had damage to her brain stem and the NIH Stroke Team told her sons that there wasn't much hope for change. That news came the day after they found her in her kitchen on her floor. She was 87 (excuse me really 27 because she always said she was 25 until her oldest grandson turned 25 then she advanced 2 more years) and going strong. She really didn't have any health problems that weren't under control -- or so we all thought. But with the stroke, since she was allergic to most medications she had to try and recuperate totally on her own -- without the help of the main medicine they immediately give other stroke victims which helps them come back faster. It might cause more harm than good with Cecilia. So from the night they found her (the 22nd of December) until most of the day on Christmas, she slept in her coma. Until around 3:30 PM when she woke up. That was our Christmas Miracle this year. She woke up to see two of her sons, one of which had stayed all night with her (that would be John my husband) and the other one, Joe, who stayed most of the other nights at the hospital too. She knew them but couldn't talk because the ventilator was in her throat. But she shook her head and squeezed their hands answering questions and tried to get up and leave because she didn't want to be in the hospital. Too much to do after all it was Christmas!!!! Both John and Joe were hopeful and she saved Christmas (which by the way was one of her two favorite holidays -- the other being July 4th). Her oldest grandson, Sean, came by and she woke up and knew him. When her oldest son, Tom and his two girls came by, she woke up again and knew all of them. So it seemed that the doctors were wrong. Or we could only hope this to be the case. But as the days stretched on, she seemed to lose that recognition. But her brother and her three sisters were there every day being driven back and forth to the hospital by her brother-in-law too. All held true to her trying to rally her and bring their sister back to health. She recognized me when I got home from Florida too. As if she was waiting for me to come and visit, she opened her eye (yes she really only opened her right eye as her left side really didn't work any longer) but she reacted to me. Her numbers on the machines went up and she seemed as if she was trying to talk and tell me something. I believe she knew it was me and was trying to tell me it was ok as she knew I was to spend the holidays with my family due to many illnesses in Florida this year too. But she was deteriorating more with each day's passing. The Stroke Team evaluated her again and it was decided to move her out of ICU. They moved her up to the next floor in the hospital. She stayed there (no trac as they took that out on New Years Day) but she had the feeding tube and oxygen in her nose. She looked very uncomfortable but she wasn't ready to leave us just yet. So after about a week out of ICU the decision came to work with Hospice and move her out of the hospital. No nursing home for her. That was not in the cards. So the boys moved her to Joe's house in Laurel where Hospice came in. That was Friday January 16th. They got her moved and set up in her own blue bedroom in her middle son's house. She seemed very relaxed. All four of her grandchildren were there that night with her visiting even making her laugh. Her son and daughter-in-law did round the clock support in their home. They opened up their home to all of us so that we could be with her as much as possible. Her sister, Agnes, is a nurse so she helped. He other sister, Fran, also lives in Laurel so she was also there too. Blanche and Leland picked up Uncle John so that all were able to visit a little more conveniently than the hospital in Bethesda. So over the weekend we all visited, telling stories, crying, laughing, squeezing hands, and just plain enjoying family, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, sons and daughters in law, grandchildres, cousins, and more cousins. On Tuesday, January 20th we got the call that she had the death rattle. So all left what we were doing and sped to Laurel to the house to be there with everyone and more importantly Cecilia. The sons stayed and the sisters stayed. She wasn't ready just yet. She made it through the night with only one lung working and the other filling with fluid. But to say Cecilia is a stubborn woman is putting it mildly. When she puts her mind to it, she could accomplish anything. I guess that's where her boys and grandchildren get it from. So the next day we all gathered again. We brought food, drinks, ourselves and just keeping family together in the home. But around 6:15 PM Cecilia seemed to be ready to let go. Sean was holding her hand and Joe was working on her. She breathed in but didn't seem to breath out. With a sense of the end in sight, all of us in Joe & Shari's home were gathered in the room surrounding Cecilia in her bed. We all held hands and said prayers. We told Cec that it was ok to let go and we were here with her. Cec left us at 6:25 PM. Very peacefully, at her son's home, with her loved ones all surrounding her. She is dancing with Ernie in Heaven now. She is my new Guardian Angel and I sure hope that she realizes that no matter how our relationship started, it ended with us both respecting and loving each other. I guess that being a Mother-In-Law can never be easy especially when you would want the best there is for your own child. But after years of trying, I think we finally got it right. She was quite the woman. At her funeral, she had the Laurel Police as her Honor Guards, the Mayor showed up, the Rescue Squad and the Board of Trade Members too. Her funeral procession went straight down Main Street past the Shop that she and Ernie had in business for many, many years. She's very well known in Laurel and her reputation of being an honest, determined and strong-willed woman is very well respected in this area. I'm glad that after a shaky start as with many daughters-in-laws, we actually became extended family. Now we have quite the legacy to carry on and we are all going to help keep the memory of Cec alive through all of us. She taught us all the way to the end that it was family that meant everything. I just hope that we can live up to what she taught us and carry on her legacy with the same zest for life that she gave us. We love you Cec! Thank you!

KTTTT

Hey there again!!!

Thank you all for the well wishes! They are welcomed muchly!!! An update to my MIL - she was released from the hospital yesterday and taken by ambulance to my BIL & SIL's house where they have hospice care too. She is resting comfortably and seems to be happy with her new surroundings. She was visited yesterday by all her grandchildren who made her almost laugh according to my SIL. So we shall see what the future brings. Still saying prayers. Thanks for all yours too.

So the picture on my blog is our legacy -- that is my Mom & Dad's. From the left to right, it is my baby sis, Kathy Michelle, my brother, Kevin Joseph, me -- the oldest -- now be nice ya hear -- and my other sis, Kara Lynn (or Lynn as the family calls her because Kara and Karen were too much alike while living together but everyone else knows her as Kara). It's me, then Kev, then Lynn & Kat. There's 12 years between Kat and me. Again be nice!!!!

Kat and her hubby are the ones that moved the family (due to his job) from Ft. Lauderdale to Omaha. They love living in the heart of the country and their girls do too (that would be Margaret Amanda or Meg and Jessica Janine or JJ). Meg is my black belt niece --the youngest to ever be awarded the black belt. Yep, I'm proud of her. She's also taller than me now and you don't want to mess with her either. The next time I see JJ she will probably be taller than me too. I'll be surprised if she's not cuz she's growing like a weed!!!

I sent my pics from my southern Christmas trip to Sam's via the web. They did a nice job. Now I actually have pics to scrap. I just have to figure our what I'm doing and get them organized. At least I can actually do a book with family pics in it which is something that I haven't done in ages. It's a great thing to figure out! Hmm, I see books for Christmas next year too for the siblings. Ha, ha. I love making presentos! It's the best part.

Well I've been spending time with my MIL at my BIL & SIL's house. She is hanging in there. Hospice is a great thing. My aunt came by yesterday and did her nails. She sat for hours just taking off polish, buffing and doing her cuticles. Her nails are now au natural and look very nice! She sleeps most of the day but today the nurse said that her left lung is quiet and her right lung is good. Quiet means we think it's not working. So we will wait and see what the future brings. At least she's at home with her family and resting. I'm still learning stories about her earlier life. Will have to document it. May ask for Rosemary & Jana's help on that one. Casii you too. If you all have any ideas let me know. It would have to be a project for later on but will have to do something like my memory bears for the family. Maybe a little book of Cec. Hmm, will have to do some more thinking. Help me out will ya please?

Gonna run for now but wanted to say hi. We've made it through another weekend. It's actually Monday, MLK day. Tomorrow I will be at work out of the city and away from the masses that are swarming our capital. Sometimes it's nice to be near it but not right now. Too congested. But they will enjoy another pres being read in.

Be careful out there in the white stuff on the roads. The guy in the beamer in front of me today wasn't too lucky when he slid down the hill, into the guard rail and back up the hill. He liked it so much that he went up, turned around and went back for more -- I think the poor guy was just trying to get back where he came from off the road. He made me put it in 4 wheel drive and down a gear to go down the same hill, around the corner, up the other hill, and again just to get the mile home. It's pretty slick out there so stay inside.

Signing off for now!!

Hugssss to ya!

KTTTTT

Christmas was bitter sweet...

OK so I know it's been forever since I posted but I have an excuse. You see this Christmas was the first time in a very long time (about 12 or so years) that I was going to spend it with my family in Florida. The reservations were made in September, the plans were made that the whole family (minus John) would be there, and we would celebrate in warm country for the first time in too long. We had spent Thanksgiving together (well all but the Nebraska folks, my baby sis, her hubby and two girls) and that was fantastic. So Christmas would be just wonderful right????

Well the night before I was to leave on the plane I received this call from my hubby saying he was at Suburban Hospital ... It's like pulling teeth to get him to talk so he spit it out that they had found his mom on the floor in the kitchen and rushed her to the hospital in an ambulance. They believed it to be a stroke. They had talked to her at 3:30 - 4:00 ish and they found her at 6:00 PM. Thank goodness that my BIL & SIL went to see why she didn't answer. We don't even want to think about that now do we. So John spent the night at the hospital with his brother and SIL waiting on the tests they were doing for mom. She is allergic to most medicines so many of the preventive type things they give others could not be given to her. I was told that I was getting on the plane the next day no matter what. So I climbed under the covers and tried to sleep that night saying many prayers all night long. I think I may have gotten about 2 hours total sleep over all because of the worry.

So when I got up, I called and learned that she was admitted after midnight and had a room in the ICU where they spent the night. I went to work with my truck packed ready to drive to airport and go to Florida under orders. I worked about four hours (yeah right!!!) and then called John for update. The NIH Stoke Team works with the patients at Suburban Hospital and they had evaluated the MRI they did on mom the night before. They would not know more til the swelling went down in a few days but prognosis was not good. So I begrudgingly drove to the airport parking lot, took the shuttle to the airport and checked in my baggage.

Standing in the security line, one of the TSA guys made my day when he said "Hi Gorgeous". I was ready to take him home!!! I know he says that to everyone but it sure made me smile. Then we had a lock down which scared the crap out of me. Some lady was complaining and they locked down the lines for about 10 minutes. We stood wondering what was happening quietly. Then they lifted the lock down and we proceeded through security. I called John again and he was still at hospital telling me nothing.

So after waiting four hours at the airport (I don't believe in being late during Christmas rush) the plane took off for sunny Florida. We arrived in the rain! Ha, even rain in Florida was better than the weather up here. My brother picked me up and after I hugged him I told him about my MIL. So that set the tone for the holidays. But Cec (my MIL) held her own (and is still holding her own today although not as well), and every day after two to three calls each day we would get same update. Nothing new. Until Christmas Day around 4 in the afternoon -- we got our Christmas Miracle. She opened her eyes, knew my hubby (her baby) and his brother too. She responded by shaking her head and blinking her eyes and some squeezing of her right hand. She then went back to sleep. She woke up later when her #1 Grandson came to visit, as she did when her #1 son came in his two girls too. It seemed to be looking up.

So down in Florida even with the bleak outlook in Maryland, the T's clan had a great time visiting, EATING again and again, playing games with the kids, sitting outside enjoying the temps in the 80s and no rain, and relaxing. All the while we were all saying special prayers for Cec too.

So my visit although bitter sweet was a good one. We told stories, watched football, played ladder ball, watched iguanas climb up the seawall out back in the canals, went out in Michael's boat for a spin, drove up the coast, went in the ocean (yes I did too!), and just plain enjoyed each other more than ever as it was well overdue. And although my MIL is still hanging on, she taught me that life is too short and you'd better do what you want and need to do while you have the chance.

When I came home, I went to the hospital and Cec opened her "eye" because now her left eye just doesn't want to open all that much, and I know she knew I was there. I thanked her for holding on for me too. We have been holding vigil at the hospital since it happened and many of her family members have been there every single day. She does not have a good prognosis today and she is paralyzed basically from the neck down, so it is up to her and God as to what happens. We all understand that and will accept whatever happens whenever it happens. She is soon to be released from the hospital and then will go to my BIL's house for hospice care. We will continue visitation there too. So the bitter sweet still continues but there are many memories that we have and I'm learning new ones every day. Her sisters are sharing their memories with me and the stories are so very special. It is sad yes but it always seems to bring families together too. So with this New Year there are many new things to come and many things that will come to an end. But the memories will always be in our hearts. So I leave you with this thought -- don't put off today what you can do tomorrow because tomorrow may never come!!!!

Appreciate what you have and no matter how much you think you are having a bad day, there is always something worse.

Sorry that this is not as silly and crazy as usual but sometimes I have to deal with reality too. I will be spending more time with my family on all sides and my friends. Because with out you all, I am nothing!

Special thanks to Ro as she lifted me up last week too. We've both been a little blue but when we are together we turn purple!!! LOL!!!!

Cya later!!!
KTTTT

HAPPY BAH HUMBUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh so I had to figure out how to get my page to look like I'm in the spirit too! This year I actually am so because it's such a change for me, I'm sharing a photo of my Dad's decorated door. He had to pull down the mailbox frame, attach the mailbox, carry it from the garage to the front door, and then load all the little presents into the mailbox itself. This is a big thing for him because at 79 and 12 years after his stroke, we are just glad he's still here with us. So this year, all his kids are coming home (like it or not) for Christmas.

We actually set this up during our Black Friday decorating around the "T's" house in Plantation, Florida. While my brother,nephew and I were "cleaning out the garage", my sister, her hubby and daughter were decorating the outside of the house. Those pics are below in the blog. We also pulled down the tree (like that "we" cuz I had nothing to do with that as it was on a shelf in the garage over my head and I wasn't even going there so my brother & nephew did that for us), and then I spent over four hours trying to take off the lights that had been wrapped every year over the last three by Dad. They were all bunched together and we had "discussions" on why I was taking the lights off. Funny thing was that three of the four strings were dead and didn't even get put back on the tree. But we got the lights on it and it looked good too.


The bad thing was that before we could get the other boxes down (four of them) with the decorations in them, I had to fly home. So I can't wait to see the finished product on Tuesday. And I can't wait to see Mom & Dad again, my sisters and brother and all my nieces and nephew (yep only one but he's the man!).



And did I saw we were gonna eat again???? Oh yes we will!!! And OMG on QVC today they had the best looking prime rib to cook and the sampler cakes from Balboa. So guess what -- yep those are on the way to Florida too. I just love bill to/ship to. Ha, ha. So the food will probably arrive before Karen does. Oh well!!! Gotta tell the pilot to fly safe once again for me please!


Take care and Happy Christmas to all and to all a good nite. I probably won't be back on before I return. I wish you all a great holiday. Enjoy the family! I will be!!!


Take care & hugs to ya,

KTTTT