Renovation

Well folks, in the midst of our vacation and prepping for craft shows we have purchased the family home, removed all the furniture, ripped out carpet, pulled off counters, stripped the living room ceiling and are painting the whole house. Timm has been working his butt off up there. Yeah, I know poor timing. But nothing about this year has been normal so what the heck. New oak flooring will be going down in about 2 weeks, it's back ordered but that's okay 'cuz there is texturing on walls to be done, painting in all the rooms, and more. Monday we had the counters installed. They are the most awesome thing you've ever seen....petrified riverbed. It has all sizes of rocks and you can even see how the sand runs around the stones, etc. Here is some photos of the kitchen with the new counters the day they were installed. The stove and sink are installed in these photos yet.

Water, Water, Everywhere

No wonder the Yukon and Alaska is so green...water is everywhere! Waterfalls are everywhere, of course...there are mountains everywhere. Some of the lakes in the Yukon we went by are over 500 feet deep up to 1500 deep (I know, hard to imagine) and some are right at 50 miles long. They have filled valleys carved by glaciers, are filled with glacial rivers and of course...rainfall. We were very fortunate in the fact that we encountered no rain. All the guides said we had the best weather all summer. Didn't get a chance to really use our new rain gear but it went with us everywhere.

Juneau

Finally, (I know) we are making our way into Juneau, Alaska's state capital. The only way into Juneau is by plane or boat (okay, the Captain said it's a ship...not a boat). No roads lead into Juneau. It is literally right against the mountain. In fact, do you see the flat ground in the photos? That is all man made with tailings (waste) from the Alaska Juneau mine.
These views of Juneau are taken from the top of the mountain. There is a tram that takes you to the top of Mt. Roberts...that's 1800 feet. Totally awesome views from there. At the top there is a hiking trail, small museum, restaurant, and a movie theater featuring a 20 minute informative movie of the area. Native American art is everywhere and it is intriguing and beautiful. This tree is on the trail up there and is was a marker for the natives serving several purposes including identity, territory, and a place to meet others for trading of goods.
The flowers are amazing colorful and abundant. Really, they are everywhere. The streets are lined with them in planters, hanging baskets, etc. The buildings fronts have been refurbished back to the mining days, the sidewalks in front of them are wood, all are bright and colorful. Shopping is everywhere, I had no idea that shopping (for diamonds, gems, and jewelry) was such a big deal on cruises. The ship has a shopping ambassador who gives a lecture on where and how to shop for jewelry. There are jewelry stores at every turn, seriously, they are everywhere. Makes me wish I was more of a jewelry girl because the deals are incredible.
We went gold panning outside of town. Yup, I even found about a dozen flakes (I'm rich!) then off to the Salmon Bake. It was a fun little place tucked up in the woods. It's an outside restaurant with salmon grilled over an open fire, along with chicken and ribs (for those of us who don't do fish) and the rest of the fixins. Picnic tables under covered areas, a folk band singing tunes to dine to, and a creek running behind our tables. Oh, and yummy blueberry cake. And flower baskets and planters, don't forget them. We had a squirrel visit us for crumbs...so dang cute! After we stuffed ourselves (well, Timm anyway) on salmon we hopped on one of their buses and back to the ship. I haven't been on an old school bus in years, just as bumpy as I remember.

A whirl wind day in Juneau, walked quite a bit, visited the state museum, took the tram to the top of Mt. Roberts, hiked around on the top of the mountain, saw a black bear on the way down the mountain from the tram, panned for gold, and gorged like bears on salmon at the Salmon Bake, and collapsed on the bed back on the ship. What a day!

All aboard!

Yesterday I gave you a tour of Vancouver, well here I am playing tourist. Yes, I did have to have my picture taken with the carved bear. Made Timm do it too. It was one of the last things I did before I left the airport hotel (which is really nice by the way).

Before we left the dock we had a mandatory drill. They even took roll call to make sure everyone was there. That's Timm way in the back with the red hat. Women and children first you know. It was humid and being snuggled up with your neighbor in this very attractive life preservers was a little warm.

WooHoo!!!! We're off! These ships are so huge,silent and smooth, not jarring when it takes off or anything. We passed Stanley Park on the way out of the harbor. There is lots of industrial stuff going on there too, apparently, it is supposed to be the 2nd busiest port in the world. I just believe what they tell me.
I think this is what postcards are made of...the perfect sunset. What a great way to start a cruise.

We're back from vacation...what an experience! Let me just say cruising is awesome!!!! We had the best time and it became how apparent I really needed a vacation. We flew from Vegas to San Francisco then to Vancouver. Vancouver is beautiful, green and full of flowers everywhere you look. I wish I was able to get some photos of the hydrangias in yards. The bushes were huge...I mean huge and just covered in blossoms. We stayed overnight, took a bus tour of the city, stopping at Queen Eleizabeth Park and Stanley Park. Amazing! After that we headed to the ship. I was really glad I wasn't the one driving in Vancouver though, the streets are very narrow (and the bus was very wide). Oh, and the are no freeways in Vancouver, all street traffic...with only 2 lanes and there is no turning lane. Yeah. These garden photos are from Queen Elizabeth Park.

Here are some pictures from Stanely Park. The place is huge. It's basically a penninsula into the bay full of olf growth rain forest, the Vancouver Aquarium, milies and miles of trails, Cricket felds (they were playing while we were there) and a sea wall borders the entire place with a trail you can bike, walk, and roller blade on. There were horse drawn carriages, restaurants, Totem Pole Park, and more there as well. I would like to go back and explore it again someday.

See that stump. It's an old growth tree stump with a new tree growing out of it! They are called "nursing stumps" Yup, I learn something new everyday.

More of the vacation destination...ALASKA...to come. What a tease..hehe.

So ready for a vacation

and we leave in the morning! I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it. REALLY! Life has been anything but normal this year and it's hit us one right after another. We really need a vacation. And does it get any better???!!! We are going on our first cruise...to ALASKA! Timm was presented with this fabulous gift at the company Christmas party last year for his 30th anniversary with Martin Harris. He is the first employee to hit that mark!

Alaska is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. We spent 3 weeks there in '95 with the kids but this time we are on a cruise on the Inside Passage. We make stops in Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. We take a steam train into the Yukon out of Skagway...I love trains so I know I will really enjoy that one. Hoping to see one of these guys on that trip, okay, I want to see bears too. I want to see it all in fact. I'll have a billion photos for you when I get back.

Timm is excited too and needs a vacation also. Work has been very stressful in these economic times. Plans of feasting on seafood everyday. I'm sure we will both need a diet routine when we get home.

Got to pick up a few more things for the trip so I guess I'd better get of this dang computer.

Oh, I need to take pictures of the house too before I go so I can show you the progress, but that's a whole other post.

Have fun, be good, and come back to check my blog after the 23rd when I return. SEE YA!

Still messy

Well, the mess in the craft croom continues...I didn't even touch it today. Instead I met with a group of crafty ladies and enjoyed lunch with my bud, Rochelle. It was a nice change of pace.

In the choas that is my craft room is this poor bear who has had his head crushed by a box of minky fabric. It's a sad day for this little guy. I will need to revive him when I get back from vacation. Yes I know the box of fabric came in May and all I have done is open and say."Oooh, it's so soft and pretty".

This picture is another scary place in the house. It's the tub in the second bathroom......I know, I'm sick. I really believe there is something in my brain that just says 'you can do something with that' and 'I must have it'. The tub hasn't been in working operation since the kids were little by the way, parts were caniballized from it to fix the other one. But since it's in the house I figured I'd better 'fess up and let you know about it.

Brrrrr....it's snowman season

Okay, it was really 111 at my home today but the air is cranked down and snowmen are being born in the craft room. Eighteen of these cloth snowmen arose from the disaster area that is my craft room right now. They are fairly large for an ornament but hey, big is in I hear. Each has a freehanded face full of personality and a polor fleece scarf...don't want them to get cold.

This froofy snowman was a late addition last year but sold well and this little guy is my loner...the only one left. I need to make more of them this year. I just love them and I'm not a frilly person.

More snowmen are on the way so be on the lookout!

I've been slacking

I've missed telling you so much of what is going on in my life. One of the biggest is my baby....yup...my baby is no longer a baby. He officially is an adult now. He turned 21 last month. I just don't know how time flies by so quickly....it really does.

This is a picture of him at his brother's wedding in May. I swear he could be secret service. He is a tall, large build handsome young man I am just so proud of. He wants to be a police officer, I think he would be a good one. Of course he still has his crazy kid side, the other picture is from Christy's birthday.

Chris has this obsesive, hyper dog named Shelby. She is a black labrador/wymeriener mix (I know that is spelled wrong) that wanted to be loved to death and play fetch. You can't wear that dog out I swear.

More of the messy room

Yikes! I can't believe I am showing you more of the disaster area. I believe I should apply to FEMA for federal funding or something. I refuse to show you the studio and conex box...that is just too scary.

I took a challenge from my friend Rochelle last week but all I am doing s making it messier...I swear I'm not even trying to do that. I promise.

I would love for a bunch of elves to come clean it for me while I'm on vacation...just clean, organize and NOT get rid of anything!

What needs to happen is cloning...yes cloning, I said it. I need about 3 of me to keep up with all that I am doing. Prepping for the fall craft show season, clean up my work space (okay, maybe I need 3 of me for that), planning a new booth for the bigger shows, trying to keep up at Goatfeathers, my duties as VP of the Las Vegas Crafters Guild, and try to run and organize my own show with Rochelle, make enough money so I don't need to get an awful office job. (I tried that, thought I was going to hang myself, totally hated it) Gosh, all that is just on the crafting side, and there is so much more I want to do like get back to designing patterns, submit to magazines, teach again...the list just doesn't stop I know.

I've been called out

so I have to take the challenge....and it's one of great benefit for me anyway, but often it just takes some prodding to get it done. Thanks, Rochelle!



It's just no fun to hear your hubby say your room is a mess...that's just insulting. So this is my creative mess...I know it is just too scary to look at...even scarier for me to let others see it. But here it is, you may be scarred for life now, I am so sorry about that.

I have to tell you it is better than it was a month ago. Hard to believe I know. There is just a little path to my chair...which by the way, broke yesterday as I twisted around behind me to reach for something. Now I have another dining chair since my nice one broke several months ago.

Poor Cassy barely has room to lay down in there. She likes to lay next to the chair and make sure I don't escape without her. I am really cramping her style.
You don't get to see the studio, I'd like you to think that at least I can really work in one of my spaces. I do paint in this room, believe it or not. Okay, not the bigger stuff. I have to move tot he breakfast bar to do that.

What I really need to do is purge and get rid of a bunch of this stuff but I know as soon as I do I will need what I got rid of...so I hold onto stuff. I just can't bare to do it. When old students get rid of their craft supplies they call me 'cuz they know I will take it. They say they can't throw it away either, but like me, they want their craft supplies to go to a good home.

In a couple of days...hopefully...I will post pictures of a clean craft room. But for right now, I need to see another creative minds messy space.....please. ;)