No Dancing Around Here

Disclaimer: If you are grossed out by dry, winter-worn, un-manicured toes, you might not want to read this.

Yesterday was a snow day, so naturally I stayed inside most of the day with comfy slipper socks keeping me cozy and warm. Unfortunately, slipper socks don't provide much protection when you are a klutz. As I was carrying a load of laundry down the hall, I ran into a pile of things I'd gathered to take to Goodwill---namely a small TV set. Tears sprung up, but I hoped that the pain was more intense because I was kind of cold, etc., etc. Well, the real reason it hurt so bad---I pretty much broke my toe!! By the time I went to bed last night, it had turned a lovely shade of purpley-black and the fact that even the sheets touching it woke me up confirmed what I had feared. (I kept this photo small so that you wouldn't be too grossed out by my feet)

I was able to find a pair of shoes I could wear this morning, so I hobbled a bit (but not too badly) to work and waited till clinic hours to call the doctor to see if I should get an x-ray or something. They told me that it was most likely broken, but I could buddy-tape it myself, since that's all they would do.

So, here I sit tonight---no dancing, no jumping jacks, no workout---just propping my foot and surfing the internet. Sure wish I'd had a pedicure before this happened---looks like it will be while before I can get one now.
I guess I could pick up those weights and at least get some sort of workout---but that would require getting up, wouldn't it?!?

Vegas Style

I spent this weekend in Baton Rouge for the biannual scrapbook retreat sponsored by Memory Mania, in Prairieville. This is the twentieth retreat that they've held and while I certainly haven't been to them all, each one that I've attended has gotten better and better. This year's theme---Scrappin' Vegas Style. Tammy and her crew put so much work into the weekend and I know by the time it rolls around they must be exhausted. But, the hard work shows and we always have so much fun. Of course, one of the best parts about the weekend is that I get to spend it with my best friend!

We scrap and talk and scrap and talk and eat and talk and . . . well you get the picture. Through this event, I've gotten to know ladies that I otherwise would never have known and I look forward to catching up on their lives when I see them each time.
Valine and I both worked on our October Week In The Life books and once again we really enjoyed completing them and seeing the similarities and differences in our lives. Here are a few of my layouts:

From Mommy's Treasures

From Mommy's Treasures

I also completed a Christmas book. Instead of doing a December Daily as I did last year, this time I focused on various Christmas carols and used my photos to illustrate the songs. Here are a few highlights from that scrapbook:

From Mommy's Treasures

From Mommy's Treasures

My Father's World

With the beginning of a new year, I am also beginning a few new projects (surprise, surprise). I am thinking through some scrapbook projects and also decided to continue with the One Hundred Photos challenge, just like I did in 2010 over on this blog. Since this is a new challenge, I created a new blog to post those photos on, My Father's World. I hope that you'll hop over to check it out from time to time.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I spent the weekend down in Baton Rouge with Valine, but awoke this morning to much colder temperatures and a forecast of "winter precipitation" back home. Since roads were already beginning to close, I decided that rather than lingering over breakfast, I should get on the road as soon as possible. The clouds overhead were heavy, but I didn't experience much precipitation.

As I approached Shreveport, the main highway was closed due to ice accumulation.
Shortly after arriving home, it began to sleet, and eventually, the sleet turned to snow.
We only got about 1/2 inch accumulation, but with more sleet expected, it was soon announced that schools would be closed tomorrow.

Hooray for a snow day!!

Emmi wasn't quite sure what to think about the stuff falling from the sky and definitely preferred to stay cozy in my lap.

Nook

Several of my friends and family members received new e-readers for Christmas gifts this year. They were definitely a hot item among adults this Christmas! I don't seem to make much time for reading these days, (although I always enjoy it when I do take the time) but the cool factor of these e-readers has gotten me quite interested in them myself. I can't justify the purchase with the minimal reading I do, but my crafting skills kicked into gear and I made something special for Valine. She received the Nook Color and commented that she needed to get a cover for it soon. Sooo . . . with the help of Berritt over at Birdiful Stitches (love that name), I whipped one up Tuesday evening. Her downloadable pattern was great---clear instructions, along with pictures made it easy to stitch together. And, she made adjustments for various brands of e-readers as well as the iPad.

Although I don't have a Nook to slip inside for the picture, but I like the layout of this cover. On the left, is a pocket to carry the reader in, as well as 2 smaller pockets for cords and such. On the right, are corners which hold the Nook in place while you read.

I used some of my favorite Kaffe Fassett fabric, along with scraps from various projects and added some free-motion quilting to the outside.

I even added one of the fabric rosettes that are so popular right now, with a vintage button from my grandmother's stash.

By the time you read this, I will have given to Valine---hope she likes it!!

Round Robin - New

Wow, with the relaxed schedule of the Christmas holidays, I completely forgot about the latest Round Robin challenge. So sorry! The topic for this challenge was suggested by Kathy of Through the Viewfinder and the "theme is "New", whether it's Happy New Year, welcome new baby, all that's old is new again, etc. etc. you get the idea. What will be new in your life as the new year begins? Is there a new phone or iPad, a new puppy, perhaps a newly remodeled bathroom? Maybe it's as simple as newly fallen snow. Whatever it is, take your photos of your icon of newness, and prepare to post them on New Year's Day!"

Be sure to take a look at how the other "Robins" interpreted the theme--the linking list is here.

You'd think that I would have lots of "new" photos being right after Christmas, but I found it harder to find than I expected. Here is my young next door neighbor with his new gift from Santa. All day, I kept hearing the strangest "zooming" noise outdoors. Living near an Air FOrce base, I at first thought it was flying exercises overhead. But, that didn't seem quite right, so I got up several times to look out my front window only to see nothing. A little later, I was outside when Hart came zooming into my driveway and I knew that I'd found the source of the unusual noise---a cool go-cart (although I don't think that's what they call them anymore).

Happy 2011

2011! Wow! I remember when I was little girl, thinking ahead to the year 2000 and figuring out how old I would be! It seemed so far away. Surely by that time we would all be riding around in little space ships like The Jetsons?! Now it is 11 years later!!

In honor of the new year, I have a new header and blog style. Hope you like it. Have a great New Year's Eve and tons of fun and happiness in 2011.