Pat Sloan's Blog

When the Internet Stops

Sometimes the Internet stops... and my life changes. It's funny how technology will come into our lives and become the norm, so normal that we forget what it's like not to have that bit of something. Like phones, cars, and the TV... the Internet and email are a part of my everyday life. 

So this morning was one of those mornings my service didn't want to chat with me, or anyone else.  It was cranky and gave little hints it was trying to work, but nada.. zip... zilch ended up on my connection.

When I travel I sometimes don't have email. And I don't use the emails/internet like I do when I'm at home. But I'm prepared for those trips. I KNOW I will only get online once or twice a day and I plan for that. Send out warnings I'll be out of touch, get my 'must see' websites lined up for my limited time on the net. I go into this web-reduction with a battle plan so that I maximize my time.

But when I wake up and hit the keyboard and nothing connects, and this happens BEFORE my first cup of coffee, then I sort of wander around aimlessly for a few hours until it comes back. And why do I do this? No plan is my only excuse! I can't read the paper online, can't visit my favorite sites in my jammies to gather my daily inspiration, can't chat with my other 'early morning' buddies. So I check the net often and try to fill the time with other stuff. I sigh a lot and hope it comes back soon.  And when it does... my life is back to normal.. excuse me a minute...  I better check that email....

PS - The clock stamp is part of the US Postal Service's American Design series stamps. The American Clock celebrates the craftsmanship of Simon Willard, a noted clockmaker in early 19^th century Roxbury, Massachusetts. The stamp features a rendering of a dial of a Simon Willard Improved Timepiece, or banjo clock, by artist Lou Nolan. I adore clocks... this is a GREAT stamp!

New Holiday style

I'm a style junkie... give me something new and I'm ALL over it.... and I like a LOT OF STYLES... so my brain becomes a bit overloaded and crazed looking at ALL the cool things the stores put out each season!

This picture of a Pier 1 room makes me want to redecorate.. like.. NOW... blue green with a touch of brown... ohhhhhhhhh so yummy!

And these stocking from Free People... I'm now going to have a pom-pom obsession.. I just KNOW I am.. and I REALLY want them ... ALL of them. Tie them on the door knobs, hang from my basket tree, mmm...

"Be absolutely determined to enjoy what you do." -Gerry Sikorski

This should be our motto for December... don't you think?

ps - Tree skirt update. First I so TOTALLY loved hearing all your suggestions for finding the treeskirts! Roberta sent me a note to ask 'St. Anthony' to find them.

So far he has had me look in several places and no tree skirt. But I DID find this pillow that Cindy and her Husband gave to me. They quilted it in their new longarm business! It is SO well made. I gave it the spot on the 'other side' of the sofa from my pillows since it's so much prettier!

 

Red Tinsel

I'm not too sentimental... so my Christmas ornaments change as life has gone one. I decided for this year is minimal and keep it red/white for the most part. So this is when I decide I needed to have red tinsel garland, which I just assume is made every year. My search consists of a FAST TRIP to Michael's craft store and a drug store in the same plaza.

Neither has a nice red tinsel garland so I settle for silver since I didn't like the white garland either. Why don't they make red tinsel anymore? NICE tinsel like I used to have?  I'm sure I could have found some on the internet but wanted to buy it NOW so I can put it on NOW. (and I only want tinsel ... not tinsel with stuff added in)

So now my tree seems to be going silver and white for the post part.. mmmm.... not what I had envisioned but we'll go with it for a bit. I did get three simple pillow covers done in Christmas fabrics for the sofa... don't they look nice? (and they are old as the hills fabric... not available unless you find it on your friends fabric shelf ... nicely aged)

Oh... and if you can think of where I might have put my tree skirts and stockings for safe keeping... let me know.. both are AWOL and my house is NOT that big!

I was looking for Christmas quotes and found this one at Santa's Net -
---A three year old once gave this reaction to her Christmas dinner:
"I don't like the turkey, but I like the bread he ate."---   This just cracked me up!

Abundance

Abundance

1. A great or plentiful amount.
2. Fullness to overflowing: "€œMy thoughts . . . are from the abundance of my heart"€ (Thomas De Quincey).
3. Affluence; wealth.
4. Chemistry. The amount of an isotope of an element that exists in nature, usually expressed as a percentage of the total amount of all isotopes of the element

I've had a MORE than an Abundant month of friends, family and general goodness. Many 'Thank You' smooches to all who helped make my birthday so special!

"You will not find poetry anywhere unless you bring some of it with you."
-Joseph Joubert

What is YOUR poetry?

 

Apronista Giveway... Yeah You!

I'm so excited to be part of Deanna's Apronista November Giveaways!  I'm a featured apron maker for the week of Nov 26. These two aprons are made with my Sweetbriar fabric line. The apron pattern is from Vanilla House and I made it just a tad shorter for my use. I adore the half apron style for working in the sewing room and I wear one when I teach so I have all my stuff handy.

So head over to my store to see my contest aprons HERE ...click the photo to see a larger image. After your done shopping, go to Apronista's blog to see some of my aprons and leave a comment between Nov 26 and midnight Nov 30 telling us which of my 2 aprons you love, "Chocolate Covered Cherries" or "Blue Moon". Good luck on winning the apron! (ps... if my post is not up on the Apronista site early in the morning, check back later in the day)

In honor of Apron day (and my birthday!).... I'm reading 'The Apron Book' by EllynAnne Geisel... it is a WONDERFUL book full of apron photos, apron stories, apron history.. very very cool. Pick up a copy at Amazon HERE

Count down...

I find it truly hard to believe the year is almost over. Hard to believe that time flys so very fast anymore. Hard to believe that 2008 is 36 days away.

Guess what???? 2008 is a special year for me. Seems I'll will have been here a good long while by the end of 2008... and I want it to be a REALLY good year.

As in a FABULOUS Year!!! 

As in an Over the Top Year!!!

As in it Can't be any better than THAT!!! kind of year

Seeing that tomorrow is my Birthday and I have one year left in this group of my first 50 yrs... I'm going to get ready to Party in 2008... woot woot!  Bet you thought I was going to be all sappy... nahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! My motto will be 'How much Fun Can I Have' in 2008... and I hope you stick around for this adventure because my plans include YOU in all this fun!

I bought this vintage square recently. It was from a 'Happy Everything' table cloth. I think one of the first things I'll be doing is making a little wall hanging to remind me what this year is about. It will hang here in my office.... photos soon!

Count down to 2008.... yep... that's what it... so be sure to read everyday because the next few weeks I'll be writing fun... upbeat.... way to go you & me notes.. with lots of quotes.. and fun graphics (cuz I want to play...hehe)  ... see you tomorrow!