Crazy days of summer

Isn't the weather odd?  Recently we had really high and humid temperatures and now it has turned much cooler and we have been deluged with rain, to the point where our streets have been flooded, some like this......

Toronto had similar weather a week or so ago - what is happening to our seasons and weather patterns - changing so, so much and it can't be for the good.

I mention my Boutique quite a bit in my blog so I thought I would show you where it is - it's in an old MNR building, an old warehouse type setting.............

It's perfect for our kind of store and being old and quite shabby, the rent is just right.  I don't think our "landlord" makes any money out of us.

It's been very peaceful at the Boutique for the last couple of weeks, the stress level has gone right down, and I hope it continues.  A few new ladies have been added to the room where I was (I think 6 people have their "stuff" in there now) and I hope we can all get along.  I must say though, I do so much like being on my own and anyway, the lease states that there is no sub-leasing allowed, so on my own I will stay, LOL

Here are a few things that I have been working on..........

Painted this mirror for a friend.  She wants to make a willow stand for it and put it on a dresser.

Turned this calender holder....

into this, a beautiful chalkboard.....

Found two old drawers at the side of the road "free", so I lugged them home and gave them a coat of home-made whitewash paint.  Looking good and now they hold my vintage linens in the Boutique..........

Made this out of another old, and really battered, calendar holder.  I think it looks so cute with its shabby paint job......

Here are a few pictures of my neighbourhood.  I live downtown so it's really nice to see some prettiness.....

This one is taken from the side of the Library where I used to work, it's just across the road from the apartment where I live....

and these are just round and about my apartment.....

A new blogging friend of mine is Sharon Srock and Amazon.com explains her far better than I can....

"Author Sharon Srock went from science fiction to Christian fiction at slightly less than warp speed.  Twenty five years ago, she cut her writer's teeth on Star Trek fiction.  Today, she writes inspirational stories that focus on ordinary women using their faith to accomplish extraordinary things.  A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Sharon serves her local chapter in the role of treasurer.  Sharon lives in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma with her husband and three very large dogs.  Her books include:  The Women of Valley View:  Callie and The Women of Valley View:  Terri, both of which are currently available.  The Women of Valley View:  Pam will release in early 2014."

Here is a synopsis of her book "Callie".  I'm sure you will want to read this one and the sequels.

"Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers. One miracle to save them all.  Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who’s befriended her granddaughter, but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.  Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.  Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing.  And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.  For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need."

You can also find out more about Sharon at these links:

Visit her BLOG at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/
Connect with her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock
Find her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock

If you'd like a chance to get acquainted with THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW you can download a free 39 page PDF here:
http://bitly.com/SmQmUs

My favourite topic.... My granddarlings just came home from spending a beautiful week with their mum and dad at a cottage. The weather was great and they all had a fabulous time.  They needed a good time away.  To finish up, a couple of photos of darling Rhys and sweetheart Katherine.........

Well, that's it for now.  I hope you have a wonderful, happy and healthy week and I will "talk" to you again soon.

Hugs,

Summer is definitely here!!

Well, summer has definitely arrived and I'm already fed up with this hot, humid weather.  I guess I just cannot be pleased - complain when the winter lasts six months and then when the temperature is above 70 degrees.  Ah well, just have to put up with it I guess!!

I'm still busy with my Boutique and on my way there from my apartment just down the street are some pretty flowers planted alongside the road.....

Makes the walk enjoyable.

Talking about the Boutique, sad to say but things were not going too well.  There were three of us when it began and we seemed to be getting along fine but the old adage "Two's company, three's a crowd" came into play and it ended with me having no choice but to go out on my own, for my own peace of mind.  Quite a few people had warned me about three never working out, but as we seemed to get along so well I didn't pay much attention until I became the third wheel, LOL  I rented my own space just across the hall.  I'm loving this and am hoping that they will let me enjoy what I am doing.  I have a goodly amount of valued customers who love to come and visit me - they don't always make a purchase and that's okay.  It's not about money with me (although I don't say no to it, LOL).  No, it's having a hobby which fills my retirement days and satisfies my artistic side.  I'm always making something or other or re-doing an item.  Here are a few things that I have been working on.....

Just finished painting and re-upholstering these dining chairs.  I have done a few in the past but I am particularly proud of these two.

A couple more lighthouses.  Aren't they adorable?

A couple of plant holders, into which I put a couple of clay pots.  Quite cute.

And, I repainted an old highchair.  It wasn't selling in it's natural state so I asked some of my online friends what colour I should paint it and this was the colour which was mentioned the most.

Repainted an old mirror.

and that's about it.  From now on, things are going to be a lot better.  I'm certainly going to do my best to make it work.

Now that I have got all that out of the way, I saved the best for last.  I just returned a while ago from visiting my darling grandchildren and celebrated Rhys's 4th birthday.  It's amazing how quickly these kiddies are changing and growing up.  A few photos of the sweethearts to end this blog.

Oh, before I leave, just have to mention that I sold my crow table that I painted this past Saturday at the Boutique.  She said it was going to a loving home.

That's all for now folks.  Have a wonderful week.  Be kind to each other.

Hugs, 

Retirement "Ain't no vacation"!!

Who would have thought that retirement would be this busy!!  Some days I think I work harder than when I was gainfully employed, but you know, I wouldn't change it one bit.  I love having something to do every day, even if it is only creating or chasing down a bargain for my Boutique.  I loved working at the Public Library and before that, in the Library of the Public School System.  Of course, when I did go back to work when the kids were able to take care of themselves, I really didn't expect to do it for any more than a couple of years, just long enough to help out with the family budget.  As it turned out, it was the best thing for me to be employed full-time as circumstances changed.  Anyway, this week has been a mix of medical appointments, thrifting and re-purposing.

On Monday I had to go for a cat scan because when I had x-rays taken of my back and chest recently the results were not good - showed that my spine had severe arthritis and a spot on one lung, hence the chest cat scan.  Praying that all will be well and I'm not worrying about it unless I have to.  Wednesday I went for my monthly back injections, OUCH and then today, Thursday, had to go and have my eyes tested again because one of the meds I am on for Lupus could affect my eyesight.

On to recent creations..............

And this is how things look in the Boutique at the moment.....

Just to give you an idea of what I do to keep myself busy and also to not give in to my health issues.

I am running out of space and have asked if I can move into another room on my own and I have to say that I will be absolutely delighted if I can get it and then arrange everything is a more orderly fashion instead of bunching everything up into a rather cramped area.  I think my two partners in crime will be happy when I do also, so they can also spread things out.  We really didn't think that we would accumulate so much "stuff".

Along with all this, I do have a wonderful and diverse "bunch" of friends and we do the movies, theatre, lunch, etc. so you can see that I really am not retired, just changed hats, LOL

Don't have any new photos of the darling grandkids.  I will be taking the Greyhound bus in the near future to go and visit and be putting my camera to good use.  'Til I chat with you again, I hope that you will all stay healthy, safe and happy.  Big hugs,