Domestic Violence

Well, Saturday night in Lone Tree came with yet another murder /suicide. The second within 5 years. A woman down the street from me was found beaten to death with her crazed boyfriend dead by her side with a bullet hole in his head! She had a restraining order out on him. It didn't help much. What could possibly be going thru that guys head. What happened. Whose to blame? What could have been done. It's a real vicious cycle. People i work with knew him, "I can't believe that he did that, he was a real nice guy! Soft spoken and never got into trouble".
Then there's the 11 year old kid that killed his dad's girlfriend with a shot to the back of the head while she slept. Man, What's going on there? It's like a movie. Freaky Deaky!!!

Give me some excitement, PLEASE

I woke around 10:00 and took 2 walks right after the other. Dogs are easier to handle 2 at a time. Nothing like putting on my shoes coat and hat, heading out into the cold wind, 1st thing in the morning. Then drove to Iowa city to swim for 35 min. and relax in a steaming hot tub. Nothing feels as good as that routine right now. I feel so refreshed and relaxed. I feel so fortunate to be able to do this. Oh, did i mention it costs me 2.50. What else can you get for 2.50.
I then come home and take 2 more walks with the kids. I DO finally feel like I'm toning up and losing alittle weight. I also walk 10 flights (200 stairs) twice a night while I'm at work, every night. It's getting alittle easier.
At 51 i really need to keep the fat OFF. I tend to eat for fuel instead of pleasure. I know how to cook about 10 things. I only cook sometimes on weekends. I hate vegetables, love fruit. I eat meat about 2 times a month. I live on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, canned fruit and yoplait yogurt. sea salt kettle chips are a new discovery. But, chips and lots of salsa are a main stay. Bill doesn't have an ounce of fat on his body. He gets his main meal at work in the hospital cafeteria. Poor guy. but, god bless him, he doesn't feel it's my job to feed him. Thank-you bill. He can't cook either. I'm not to adventurous when it comes to food, i have no problems with eating the same things everyday.

valentines day present

Last night bill and i went to see the Neville brothers at the Englert in Iowa city. Wow! What a great show. It was the HOTTEST ticket in town. It's hard to believe, but, Aaron Neville is still a hottie. They put on a fabulous show!! His voice was beautiful.

Crewel work

Just look at this Beautiful crewelwork piece i found at "house works" a junk shop. "Handiwork" just another art form. This was a free form design. This was and is still a great way to pass the time in winter. Get away from the TV and gaming And i hate to say it, computer and make something. Get the creative spirit out and "Make art. I'm kind of telling myself this.

Oh, those Victorians

You gotta love'em. They were the most creative and over the top artists/crafters. The women in the day had a lot of time on there hands. No idle hands.

The crafts and the art that came from that time period, are my favorite to collect. Bead work, Hair art, feather art, pine cone work. Whatever was available was used, nothing wasted. Crazy quilts is another amazing art form. Wow!! I'm luck to find these treasures. But, it gets harder and harder.

Some day I'd like to try my hand at beaded flowers.

It's a go!!!

Well bill and i are going for it! WE are buying the building. I'm so excited. Bill was being alittle stubborn but, he finally came around. We can wait till after our trip to Peru. It will be fun fixing it up. We're going to rent the apartment out. The front room will be mine oh mine. The possibilities are endless. Bill will no longer have the excuse "I don't have a place to work on it". He'll have to think of a new excuse. I no longer will say " oh, i don't have room for that".

Play

Come on spring! I wanna play outside. I can't wait to dig in the dirt and plant all my new bulbs. I can't wait to get on my bike and ride for miles. I like snow, but, i like to see it go, too. I don't think I'd like hot weather all the time. There is nothing like the smell of spring and fall. Spring brings everything fresh and new, a clean smell. Fall brings beautiful rich colors and crisp air and green things dying down to rest. I appreciate summer even more, when i don't wake up to it every day.When it does make it's way back around, It's a special treat!

seed catalogs!

Well, the seed catalogs are pouring in and I'm drooling over the pages . Pencil in hand and alittle restraint. I've already racked up about 165.00 worth of Lilly bulbs and a NEW black upright elephant ear. I couldn't resist. It helps with the cold winter nights. The anticipation of spring.

The catalogs of the turn of the century were works of art. The seed packets were just as beautiful. They all came in a packaged in a oak or pine box with the contents listed on the inside lid with yet another gorgeous litho. The insides were all hand drawn.

I think the catalogs of today will be all be toss out with the recycle.