for those few of you who may still be checking here from time to time... well, it's time to move on.  Move on to new things, old dreams fulfilled...
With a LID of 5/16/06 I am sure to be in the next batch of referral.  YIPEEEEEEE.  Finally.

Next time I post it will be on my new blog:  Little Pink Moon

Please join me there.

Bee P

I'm still slowly plugging away at Jessica Sprague's class.
The lesson for day 5...uhmmm.. today was actually day 14, but I'm on day 5... well, anyhoo, day 5's lesson was on adding texture. She gave us many options and recommended this combo of old tin type, crumpled brown paper, and grungy tea-stained-looking texture. I think it lovely.

This is a close-up of my lilacs last year. The lilac hedge was loaded last year. I think it must have been too dry this past winter because there was hardly a bloom this year. I missed them.

Check out this little video
Do you think referrals are headed our way?


I was able to finish lesson 4 today. Masks. grungy edges. Fun.



This little guy was very proud of his blueberry bounty.


Peace,
Beeb

I’ve taken on a little project of late – one of many actually, but this one is enjoyable ☺
I’ve started a free class with Jessica Sprague who is an amazing digital scrapbooker and as it turns out an amazing teacher as well. The class is called Photo Editing: Frame-Ups & Special Effects.
See, one of my goals during “the wait” is to learn to edit my photos by using my new Photoshop Elements 6– I came across this free class while perusing the web looking for some free tutorials on editing. If you know of other great resources, please let me know.

Here are examples from the first three lessons.



Lesson 1 taught us to use PNG files and word art




Lesson 2 – Brushes! Who knew?



Lesson 3 – frames and hand-tint. Put 2 & 3 together and amazing things happen.




Now I need to get to work... She just sent day 6 lesson and I've only completed 3! Good thing I can work at my own pace.

Rosedale Community Garden




Another project that I was really only able to get started - late - in June is participating in a community garden. a friend and I are splitting a plot and between rain and prior conflicts it was difficult to get there. However, I went by this morning and other than eggplants and cantaloupe, all my seeds have come up. it's kind
of fun.
It's a sweet garden and there is a lot of push to conserve water, compost and enjoy the space. I'll give you a little tour....



my spot freshly tilled in April


...and, today




the community education area






the compost bins



bee hive





small orchard






grape arbor


Sweet, no?

Flooded Basement

It's been a weird month with tons of rain which is quite unusual.
Unfortunately, my basement flooded with the monsoons over Memorial Day weekend and I'm still trying to clean up the mess (yes, THAT basement - the one I just finished and carpeted one year ago uggh!)
I panicked and called a basement restoration company - big $$$ mistake. I'd do things very differently next time - I spent $$$ and they didn't fix anything - only brought a plastic guard, fans, and dehumidifier. turns out I could have rented them myself much cheaper.







I guess they did remove the moldy baseboards and rip out the carpet pad, but I could have done that, too.







Here's the culprit - my rigged downspout full of leaves.








Here's what I'm currently left with. The mending process should begin in July. Hopefully all the rain will slow down, too.








To prevent this in the future, I now have a lovely French drain taking the water far, far away.


And a lovely mint patch - mojitos anyone? I think I could use one.

It's been a while. so, to get myself back on the horse, so to speak, I'm just throwing some stuff out here.


There's several local fellow-adopters that I've met along this long wait. We get together almost monthly for our "survive the wait" dinner. Luckily, there have been a few munchkins that have come home in this long wait. They help the rest of us survive.





C & B are well-practiced in the art of "CHEESE"





Little T is the newest one home (came with same group as B in photo above)







Miss S has been home for 2 years now - she's admiring her pretty self before she goes to a wedding reception. What is it about pretty twirly dresses that make us girls swoon?






Here she is the few minutes before getting dressed- what a cutie.







Here is a recent addition to my family from my favorite Etsy shop.
Paige is finally home - THANKS Wzgirl!!

I fell in love with her the minute I saw her - love the glasses and the shawl (she is a bit warm in it today).
Paige was described as seeking a degree in Library Sciences at UC Berkley. Who could resist her?







Here's another Etsy find - I love this safari group made from maple they are teething toys. These are intended to be a shower gift for one of my colleagues who's having a boy, but I'm not sure they'll make it to him. I'll try to be strong!






Way back in March I went to NC to see my friend Rhonda before she passed away. While there I also got to spend some time with my pal Hulumama. My sis and niece were also there during my niece's spring break.
Here we are at Carolina Beach. Notice anything? Yeah, it's cold. We're the only diehards out there. The Donna's were a little wimpy and wore their jackets. hrumpfh...







As the title reads, this is random...

Here's one of my favorite scarves I've made. It the pattern "my so called scarf" and made with

Rhonda and Phyllis














She gave it a good fight.
Battling through 5 rounds of chemo.
The leukemia was vigorous.
She went home with hospice 2 weeks ago.
I was able to travel to visit her for a few hours over a few days last week.
I am grateful
it was a sweet reunion.

She left us today and is Home - dancing in the arms of her Savior.
I was told it was an elegant death - if you can use those words together.
Surrounded by loved ones,
she saw a light,
she heard her name called.
She was ready.
She will be missed.
But, she is Home.