In Memory of Denise Roberts

I got a call yesterday afternoon that a friend of mine passed away yesterday morning. I could do nothing but say..."No....No....No" I just couldn't take it in.

We had been friends for over 10 years. When I lived out on the high desert of Oregon, we first met at a Pinochle party. We soon learned we both had a sense of humor and we had other things in common. We started stamping together and belonged to the same Bunco group for years.

Denise was a very talented lady! I mean very talented. There was nothing she couldn't do if she put her mind to the task. She even painted an egg on her floor in the dining room....and it looked real. It looked like someone had broken an egg. It was so hilarious.

She was very efficient in keeping house, decorating, sewing, crafts, cooking, baking and just about anything else she decided to try. I so admired her talent! I think she was even going to write a book. I wonder, now, if she ever started it?

When my husband and I had our moving sale, three years ago, here came Denise with a plate of cookies for us.

We had one last stamping time together before we moved and that was the last time I saw her.

When we eventually moved away, three years ago, we didn't get a chance to see one another again....both of our lives took different turns. She adopted three children and I lived 2 1/2 hours away. We kept saying we'd meet for lunch some day. But, we never did :-(

But, we stayed in touch via e-mail and she was also on a Yahoogroup stamping list with me.

I just wished her a Happy Birthday on April 30th and joked about her turning 60....of course, she was only in her 50's, but I liked to torment her :-) And, she took it all in good nature.

Less than a month later, I get a call telling me she passed away.

I am in shock!!!

Please everyone, make the time to keep in touch with those that you keep meaning to call or write......even if you move away and no longer can get together....keep in touch!

Everyone take a few minutes after reading this and think of one person you have been meaning to call for awhile or the first name that pops in your head and just DO IT!

Even if you just talked to them a month ago.......

Life is short.......sometimes shorter than we think.

BIG HUGS,
Char

Memorial Day Weekend

A huge THANK YOU to all those who have served or are serving our country......so that we can be FREE!!!

Wow....this weekend is almost over....it sure went fast!

Hubby had Saturday, Sunday and today off. We pretty much stayed close to home for the most part. We really don't like all that traffic.

Saturday, we got some weeding done in the yard/garden, a little bit accomplished in the garage (very little) for our upcoming garage sale and were invited to a birthday/BBQ on Saturday afternoon. We ended up being there till almost 9pm. Had a lot of fun.

Sunday, we planned on working in the garage but DS called in the morning and said bring in the hamburger and I'll BBQ. Couldn't pass that up :-) Besides, he wanted to show off his two rock gardens he was working on. We finished a few projects and then headed in.

After lunch....we were playing Frisbee with the dogs and Annie decided to take a short cut in between two objects...one being a wheelbarrow and she caught her side on one of the handles and scraped a big part of her hair off her side and made a scrape/bruise on her skin. BOY....the whole neighborhood could hear her yelp. My Son (her 'grandpa') was the first to reach her....and he told me..."she's ok...she's ok....she's just going to be one sore dog for a few days".

On the way home, we stopped at Wal Mart...and David went in (I stayed with Annie in the car with the A/C running...and yes she is spoiled...LOL) and he picked up 3 pkgs of disposable pie tins .....he was giving me a HUGE hint... :-)

Today, we went out and pulled rhubarb...probably only a third of it....and while I was making the pie crusts, he was chopping rhubarb. That was good for him, cause now he knows how much work it is to get everything ready to make the pies. :-)

Just waiting on him to get home from the grocery store...needed a few more ingredients...and then I'll be baking the rest of the day!

Hope you all had a fun and SAFE holiday weekend!!!

Hugs,
Char

It's nice to get surprises!

Yesterday, my youngest Son, Jim, called and wanted to know what I was doing. He had an unexpected day off so he was going to take me out for a Mother's Day lunch, early.

He asked me where I wanted to go and after discussing a few places, I told him I would much rather he got a pizza and just came to visit! :-)

So, that is what he did! But, he not only brought a yummy pizza....Chicken Bacon Artichoke deLITE, but also brought me two Azaleas!!. They are gorgeous!!!

Believe me, I would have never ever picked this pizza off the menu.....but he likes to experiment with new tastes....and I have to say, this one was a winner!
(Creamy Garlic Sauce, Grilled Chicken, Crispy Bacon, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Spinach and Parmesan Cheese) YUMMMMMMY!!!

Granddog, Raider, also came along for the ride and brought me a Mother's Day card with his paw print on it ;-)

It was nice to get an unexpected surprise!

Gee...both sons visiting in the same week!!!

Our older Son came over on Monday for a visit! Too short....but, at least we got to see him for a few hours. And, I was so surprised to see him, I didn't get any photos taken....that doesn't happen that often.

Michelle Zindorf is coming to Oregon!!!!

I am finally able to let you know who's coming to OREGON!!!!

Michelle Zindorf has agreed to come to Salem, Oregon for two days of workshops. I am just so excited to have her here in the Pacific Northwest. It's her first time coming to this area, too.

Just so you know, it's a YEAR away....May 2010 (she is booked through 2009) but she told me that once it is officially on her blog, it fills up fast so my readers are being given a 'heads up' in order to get in on this wonderful opportunity!!

It will not be posted on her blog till August 2009, so as a reader of my blog, you will be able to sign up, now, by contacting her. When you do, make sure you refer to the Michelle Zindorf Workshops in Salem, OR.

She takes care of all the registrations!

The class fee is $125 and you get about $60 worth of class materials. It's on a first come/first served basis....so sign up soon!

I have also secured a block of hotel rooms at the Salem Shilo Inn. They have given us a great deal on rooms. We love the Shilo Inn at Salem because the staff is AWESOME!! When booking your reservation at the hotel, you will need to ask for the block of rooms being held for the Michelle Zindorf Workshops.

If you are interested, please contact Michele Zindorf personally. She will get in touch with you and take care of your registration.

If you have any questions, other than the workshop itself, please feel free to e-mail me!

Hugs,
Char