Observations in October - 2018 - #31Things - Covet and Hobby

Behind again but I guess that's what life is about sometimes.  These two prompts go well together though I think, Covet and Hobby.

I am Catholic and we were told by the 10 Commandments not to covet so I try my hardest not to.  However, when it comes to my crafting, there are a few things I covet.  You know I have a room to pursue my hobby (which I hope to turn into a money making venture)

and I am so grateful that I have that room, but I really wish I could make it more like one of these:

 

         


   





Imagine what kind of production I could have with spaces like that!  For sure I could take my "hobby" to the next level. 

Of course, to be able to have a room like that, I might need a house like one of these:




I don't covet much!  Got a hobby?  Covet things?  Share!

Observations in October - 2018 - #SLS - Give

Helen's prompt for today is "Give/Giving."  I may be 63 but I'm still a fan of the Backstreet Boys.  I was never an NSync fan, even though our oldest daughter was a HUGE one.  I think that the Backstreet Boys have better harmony than NSync does. 

My pick for the song today is All I Have to Give:

I don't know what he does to make you cry
But I'll be there to make you smile
I don't have a fancy car
To get to you I'd walk a thousand miles
I don't care if he buys you nice things
Does his gifts come from the heart, I don't know
But if you were my girl
I'd make it so we'd never be apart

But my love is all I have to give
Without you I don't think I can live
I wish I could give the world to you
But love is all I have to give

When you talk, does it seem like he's not
Even listening to a word you say?
That's okay babe, just tell me your problems
I'll try my best to kiss them all away
Does he leave when you need him the most?
Does his friends get all your time?
Baby please, I'm on my knees
Praying for the day that you'll be mine!

But my love is all I have to give
Without you I don't think I can live
I wish I could give the world to you
But love is all I have to give

To you, hey girl
Hey girl, I don't want you to cry no more inside
All the money in the world
Could never add up to all the love I have inside
I Love You

And I will give it to you
All I can give, all I can give
Everything I have is for you
My love is all I have to give

My love is all I have to give
Without you I don't think I can live
I wish I could give the world to you
But love is all I have to give

But my love is all I have to give
Without you I don't think I can live
I wish I could give the world to you
But love is all I have to give, to you

I have to give
Without you I don't think I can live
Give the world to you
But love is all I have to give

But my love is all I have to give
Without you I don't think I can live
I wish I could give the world to you
But love is all I have to give, to you

Songwriters: Martin Karl Sandberg

My daughters and I have been to two Backstreet Boys concerts.  Of course I made scrapbook pages about them.  Here is one show:

Love their synchronized dance moves too. 

Here is the video.  It is an old one but still a good one!  

And just in case you were wondering, my favorite is Kevin Richardson :)  

Happy Sunday folks.  Don't forget to check out some of the other participants!

Observations in October - 2018 - #31Things - Outside

Most of my day I must admit is spent inside working.  Yesterday I did go outside to take my mom to the doctors and I saw these pretty flowers.  The way the dew was sparkling it looked like there was glitter on them. 

Then I saw these pretty purple stems.  

Then last night was the full moon and at first I thought I was going to miss it because it was very cloudy.  Fortunately, Ms. Moon made an appearance for me before the night was over.  

Short and sweet today.  Going outside to go to a concert tonight - Phil Collins - with my son.  Well, the concert is actually inside but I'll be going outside to go inside :)  Did you see the moon last night?  Like Phil Collins?  

Observations in October - 2018 - #31Things - Relationship

Relationship is the topic for the day and I have been noticing lately how much my relationships have changed over time.  I really love my husband but our relationship is not quite the same as it was on that day in May when we exchanged our vows overlooking Lake Tahoe.  In some ways it is much stronger given what we have gone through together between his illnesses and having the children.    

My relationship with the kids has changed now too since they are no longer these little babies who depend on my for everything.  

Instead, while they still come to me for advice occasionally, for the most part they are all self-sufficient adults, making their own way in the world.  Sometimes days go by and I don't talk to them.  I know that's how it needs to be.

The relationship that is changing the most now though, I think, is the one with my mother and to some extent my sisters.  I wrote about the recent emergency I had with my mom on the bus trip and while things are calm now and she is going to be okay, my sisters and I are communicating a lot more about how to handle my mom and her care.  

Sisters Judy, JoAnne, my mom, me, sister Jaye

 (I never realized how much taller I was than my sisters!  This must have been in my high-heel days!)  

Since I am the one who lives the closest, it is becoming my job to go with her to doctor's appointments and the like.  Today she told the doctor that I was turning into her mother and that I yell at her!  The doctor told her to listen to me and that I was only doing it because I care about her. 

My sisters Judy and Jaye (we lost JoAnne several years ago) are taking turns calling her every day and we talk with each other and compare notes.  In some ways this is bringing me closer to my sisters since we haven't always spoken to each other on a regular basis.  Everyone says that mom really looks good for 95 (I think she was 92 or 93 in this picture) and it is true that she has not had very many medical problems until recently.  

Mom continues to say that she doesn't want to "bother" me with things and I continue to tell her that I would rather she tell me when she first feels something is not right rather than wait until an emergency room visit is necessary.  I try to reassure her that she is not bothering me and that I have time to help her.  Plus, I tell her that I am leading by example.  My kids are watching how I handle things with mom so they will know that when the time comes they may have to help in that way with me and their father.  

I want my mom to remain as independent as possible (she is still living alone and driving) but I don't want her to be in a position to hurt herself or others.  For now, we'll take it day by day.

Notice any changes in your relationships?  Have a parent who needs your help?  

Observations in October - 2018 - #31Things - Write

Today's 31 Things is "Write."

I may be a paper crafter and spend my time making cards and scrapbook albums but I started out my artistic endeavors as a writer.  I made newspapers for my family when they went on vacation so that they could keep up on the news when they returned.  Slight exaggeration in some of the stories but it wasn't fake news!

I used to watch my sister's children when she and her husband went on vacation and they brought me back a blank book from a trip they took to Carmel.  I did write some things in it but there are still a lot of blank pages.    

When I was in high school I wrote a mystery story and got an A on it.

Since the teacher thought it was suspenseful, I sent a more detailed version of the story to Redbook as part of their Young Writer's Contest but unfortunately it didn't win. 

I put away my writing after that until after I was married and the kids were born.  Then I wrote a little story using stickers and the names of their friends.

It was interesting and amusing to go back and read these old things.  I have kept them all these years in a folder.  There is another story there that is handwritten and over 100 pages!  Some silly story about girls and their boyfriends.  Definitely was a fictional story since I never had boyfriends in high school!

Now I get my writing fix with this blog.  I knew there was a reason I was doing it.  Who knows, maybe someday I'll give writing another try.  How about you?  What do you write about?   

  

Observations in October - 2018 - #31Things - Think and Spot

Still doing the catch up thing so I'm putting these two together.  They seem to fit actually.  Whenever I have something that is particularly bothering me or if I want to just get in some good old fashioned thinking there are a few spots I go to.

One is the trail along the San Francisco Bay.  The whole trail extends for quite a distance but there is one part that is really easy for me to get to and walking it takes about 20 minutes.  That's just enough time for me.  I can walk and see the planes doing their come and go dance and the water splashes up on the rocks.  The beach would be my first choice but this little spot is closer and it is on my way when I make work deliveries. 

Another good spot for me if I want to take a break and read or just relax is right out my back door.  We have a cute little porch and it is a great place to sit a while.  I should make more time for myself to do that but I don't.  Soon it will be too cold to sit out there.  Sometimes I take my first cup of coffee out there and use that time to plan my day.  I'd really like to make use of the rest of our backyard more so when I sit here, I'm envisioning a plan to put a fire pit with some chairs around it in the middle of the yard.  Not too much landscaping because I don't want to have to "garden."     

And then of course there is this room.  My real haven.  Sometimes I think my husband is getting jealous of the time I spend in here but when I am in the creative spirit and making my projects I have the music going and it is really heaven.  I'd much rather be in here than sitting in front of the television watching those mindless programs.    

Where are your thinking spots?  Got a favorite place around your house?  Share!

Observations in October - 2018 - Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: Upcoming Schedule of Events! #AtoZChallenge

Excited to be a guest poster on the A to Z blog!  Do you have your theme for next year yet?  I don't!  Share this to spread the word. 



Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: Upcoming Schedule of Events! #AtoZChallenge Please...: Upcoming Guest Posts The following are date ranges. Exact dates in those ranges are up to the winners. October (5 to 18) Debbie Stott [a...

Observations in October - 2018 - #31Things - Carry

While shoes may not be my thing, purses are an entirely different story!  I love purses and have a bunch, although I do have my regular go-tos for certain occasions.

If I am going shopping I have a couple of bags that are pretty large because here in California the stores don't give us shopping bags anymore, we have to pay for them so I can either put the things I buy in my purse or carry a few folded shopping bags. 

I have this one for when I know I am going to be gone for a long time, like on our recent bus trip, when my husband is in the hospital or when I am going to a scrapbooking event.  It has a ton of pockets on the outside and the inside is wide and roomy to hold magazines and stuff.  It also has handles and an over the shoulder strap which makes it easy to carry.

When I am going to a concert or out to dinner I use purses like this that are small and just have room for money and my phone. 

This one has a pocket that I use to "hide" my camera when we go to concerts.  I love the fringe but it is getting old and worn so I might have to look for something to replace it.

Sometimes I just carry my wallet (the blue one) if I am just going to make deliveries for work since all I do is run in to the office and back out again.  I use the pink one with my initial on it for my money, driver's license and credit cards when I use the smaller purses so I don't have to take my whole wallet.

Most of the time the things I have in my purse are my wallet and glass case, keys, a pen and paper and gum.  Gotta have the minty gum wherever I go!

What do you carry on a regular basis?  

Observations in October - 2018 - #SLS - Lost

Helen's prompt for this week is "Lost."  My choice is "Lost In You" by Rod Stewart.  I like the beat and it is one of those ones I dance to in my craft room when it comes on. 

We've seen Rod Stewart a few times and he is one of my favorite performers.  He hasn't lost much over the years.  I also read his autobiography and it was very interesting. 

 He said he used to take hours working on his hair!

One of the times we saw him was the Heart and Soul tour with Stevie Nicks.  That was such a good show.    

He is really into soccer and at one point in the show he kicks autographed soccer balls into the crowd.

We came close to getting one but sadly it went over my husband's head and into the sound pit.  The guys wouldn't give the ball to us but there were some people on BART on the way home who caught one and they my husband hold it so I could take a picture of it.  

The lyrics:

Lost in You

Rod Stewart

Hey! Baby, you've been on my mind tonight
I'm so low, I just had to sit down and write
I spent all yesterday tryin' to figure out what I'm gonna say
One letter from the heart is so hard to start, baby
How's your momma, how's the weather, how's that son of mine? yeah!

Hey! Baby, been a long time since we made love
I'm stone cold, the bed's hard, and the work gets tough
I'm never gonna leave you again
This job ain't worth the pain
No money in the world ain't worth bein' away from you
Ooh, baby I don't sleep without you by my side
Listen!

I'm in love with you, woman, it's a common known, natural fact
And I found what I'm lookin' for, but so much more than that
I'm lost in you (I'm lost in you)
I'm lost in you (I'm lost in you)
I'm lost in you (I'm lost in you)
I'm lost in you (I'm lost in you)

Hey! Baby, you don't know what you've done for me
I'm so happy as any man can deserve to be
I was livin' a life of sin
God knows what a mess I was in
Sure glad you found me, I ain't gettin' any younger
Hey! Baby, I just hope it ain't all a dream

I'm in love with you, woman, it's a common known, natural fact
And I found what I'm lookin' for, but so much more than that
I'm lost in you (I'm lost in you)
I'm lost in you (I'm lost in you)
I'm lost in you (I'm lost in you)
I'm lost in you (I'm lost in you) hey!

I miss you, baby (I miss you too)

I miss your laughin' eyes
I miss our baby cryin'
I want to lay you out and kiss you all over
I'm comin' home real soon
Be ready, 'cause when I do, I'm gonna make love to you like fifteen men!
I'm lost in you, and I love it
I'm lost in you, and I love it

Songwriters: Andy Taylor / Rod Stewart

Lost in You lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Fintage House Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

The video.  There is another video out there with him singing it but it also has a strip club with pole dancers and given the climate out there, I didn't think it was appropriate so I picked this one instead. 

Happy Sunday all.  Be sure to check out the other great songs used for this prompt.