Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Photo Hanger

So, here is the project I was working on today.  With lots of interruptions mind you!  Anyway, here is the finished result.


This is for my new "cubicle" that I cannot put any nails tacks or anything in to hang anything.  So I made this to hang by a modified large paperclip from the metal where the joint is.

Adds some color to a very clinical work space.

Tell me what you think......

Gentrie
I have a new project in the works.  I know, not another one.  Actually I have a couple new projects in the works.  One is top secret though so I cannot share that right now.  The other is a sewing project I'll share with you when I get it done.

Should be later tonight.  I hope anyway, depends how many interruptions I get.

House is spotless clean and laundry is almost done.  Time to sew!!  Hailey is playing in the snow with her friend from across the street.

Until later then................

Gentrie

Friday, January 28, 2011

Stress and Babies

I was a little sick yesterday and had to come home early from work.  I don't think it was the flu, I think it was stress.  Work stress, money stress, stress,stress,stress.  I need to decompress, somehow.  I couldn't sleep last night either.

Any suggestions?

I couldn't shut off my brain.

Why does it seem like some people NEVER have stress?  Nothing ever bothers them and everything goes their way.  I mean everything.  I've been doing these positive thinking exercises and working out.  Somehow all the shit still falls in my lap.

My 7 year old was crying tonight because she's scared to have a baby.  Really?  A baby at 7? 

I got her calmed down and over it.  She is now OK with having a baby once again.  I'm hoping not anytime in the next 13 years AT LEAST! 

I'm not sure where it came from or why at 7 she is thinking about having babies.  We were watching True Grit (the original with John Wayne not the new one) no babies in that movie.

Out of the mouths of babes.......

Whew!  Sometimes being a Mom is, ummmmm, weird.

Gentrie

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Early Shoe Fettishes

Remember wearing your Mom's shoes as a kid?  Well if your a guy you might not, or maybe you do.  I'm not judging.

Anywho.......

My Mom was never much a high heel wearer, but I do remember wearing her shoes.  She always had these really fancy knee high cowboy boots.  The big sloped in heel on them.  I would put them on (up to my thighs) and lumber around in them.

Hailey has been obsessed with these boots of mine.  She wears them almost every night.

She's such a fashionista!  Lovin' the tights.....

The shoe fetishes really do start early, don't they?

Gentrie

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A Few Things

Here is a list of things some people out there may not know about me.

1.  I am secretly starting to love the deep rich purple color.  I have never been a purple person and am still not fond of light purples.  (SHHHHHH don't tell!)

2.  I've been quilting for about ten years.  (I can't believe it's been that long already!)

3.  I still have not finished my Double Wedding Ring I am making for hubby and I.  Someday.........

4.  My artistic side is breaking out again.  The mathmetician is getting bored, art wants to break free!  (Math really is boring, unless I'm using it to design something.)

5.  I really do love a lot of old westerns, and some new ones.  Sometimes I can imagine my Dad and I still sitting together watching them.  He would be pointing out every error in the movie.  Like when they shoot 16 times without reloading. (In fact, I'm watching Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid now!  It has a very young Chris Christopherson and Bob Dylan in it.)

6.  I LOVE a good forensics show/movie.  I really do think I should have been a forensic scientist.

7.  I'm still a fantasy buff, deep down at heart.  That's why I really like Twilight and Harry Potter.  Not to mention they are both very well written.

8.  My sister liked the jewelry I made her for Christmas! Yeah!  (She just got it today, don't ask, really.)

9.  My Mom liked the jewelry I made her also.  Double Yeah! (She got hers on Christmas, yeah, I know.)

10.  My hubby encourages me to start my own business, it;s my own cold feet that hold me back.  (My feet were VERY LITERALLY cold today!)

There, some of you may have known some of these, and some of you may have known a few, or all none.  I bet knowone knew all of them though!

Don't seem so surprised!

Gentrie

Monday, January 24, 2011

The Calvary

When I left work today I had a flat tire.  FLAT

Then I made a phone call and the Calvary came.  And by Calvary, I mean my hubby.

He rolled around in the snow for me so I could drive home, and to the gym, and....unfortunately....to work again.

You know what else?  Tomorrow he will come into town and take my truck and it's flat tire into the tire doctor to be fixed.  He'll then return it to Momma all healed and fixed.

Thanks Hero.

Gentrie

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Caught up on sleep

So I haven't posted for a while, but I have a good excuse.  I've been sleeping!  I have fallen asleep before or shortly after 8 o'clock the last two nights.  In fact last night I slept for 12 hours straight.  (Except for the 10 or 15 minutes when my husband got me off the couch and shooed me upstairs.)

Whew!  I feel much better today.

The other morning I had a great view of the full moon when I was leaving for work.

It looked much better in person.  I haven't mastered photography yet.  This was just after leaving my house.

Then on the way home.......

Sun dogs around the setting sun.  The wind was blowing the snow around so much there were rainbows hanging around the setting sun.  Although, these were very clear rainbows when I was looking at them and when I photographed them they became more sunny blotches than rainbows.

Still pretty though.

See all that snow blowing across the ditch at the bottom of the picture?  Yuck!  It does make for some interesting pictures though.......

Gentrie

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Reality Bites

Sometimes reality sucks.

Back to work and the rigmarole.  While I am grateful for my job, sometimes it just sucks having an 8 - 5 job. 

Even though I was only away for 3 days, it felt like longer and I feel like I was on a long and wonderful vacation.  It has been difficult the last few days to get back in the swing of things.  I feel as though I am way out of routine.

Worked out this morning, swimming tomorrow morning.  It is so stinkin' cold outside.

Cold cold go away,
don't ever come back again!

Sometimes poetry is over rated, right?

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I am struggling to get back into it.  It is starting to happen though, now if I can just get my heart back into it.

By the way, I have not had "fast food" for quite a long time I realized tonight.  Why am I telling you this?  Well I'll tell you..........

Tonight Hailey and I had a girl's night.  Hubby had a union meeting.  She BEGGED me to go to Burger King to eat.  We hadn't been there in a long time, so I agreed.  I thought, it's been a long time what's one burger?  Right?  WRONG!  I am so sick tonight!  Don't ever go eat a fast food burger after you haven't had fast food in ages.  My body is very very angry with me.

Blah!  Serves me right, huh? I should have just had the salad.

Happy trails,

Gentrie

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Fun side of sleep deprivation

I'm back!  Holy crap am I tired.  I'm going to bed soon after taking a scorching hot bath.  We had fun.  I literally only got about 8 hours sleep this weekend but that is how I roll on Quilt retreat weekends.  It's really all about the sewing.

Well maybe not ALL..........

Barb, our hostess with the mostess is on the left, Lynn "The Bag lady" (and I mean that in a complimentary and totally non-homeless way) is on the right.  Lynn was my sewing companion this weekend (meaning our machines were next to each other). She's also my accomplice for marathon sewing lasting until 5:00 in the morning!  You both rock!


Rachel and Tammi (Tammi is showing her disdain for having her picture taken) we three quilters laugh a lot.  No I mean A LOT.  This picture actually may have been taken at guild (but I can vouch they were both at retreat.)

This is the center block for the quilt I am making my Mom.  (SSSSHHHHH, don't tell her!)  She doesn't have a computer, so those of you who know her need to keep the lips zipped about this.  I'm just saying.......

This is Courtney, she is so efficient and organized it's ridiculous (and I mean that in a very loving way).  She does some amazing quilting!  Kathy is sitting behind Courtney there (ignoring me thoroughly).

This is Dee, she is fun and funny.  She tried to hide and decided if she wanted a fighting chance at a good photo she would cooperate.  (Good choice! wink...wink....)  Tami is in the foreground there, at this point just absorbing the vibes (.......ohmmmmmmmm).

I could really go on forever but I do need sleep.  I have 100lb weights tied to my limbs and 10lbs of sand in each eye.

There were more girls there, some all weekend, some in and out.  I believe we had 14 in all. 

PS  I'll be drinking LOTS of water this week to clean out the 3lbs of coffee I helped drink this weekend. 

PPS  I'm not going to work out tomorrow morning, I'm sleeping in until 6:00am.  I'll add Friday onto my work-out regimen.

PPPS  Back to work tomorrow.......PPHHTTTTT!!!

Gentrie

Friday, January 14, 2011

It's Friday

It IS Friday today.  (In case you weren't sure and needed to come here to find out!)  I do have to work today.  In fact I'm working right now.  (Well not RIGHT now but.....) 

Anyway.....

I have the most wonderful plans this weekend.  Brace yourself.  It's huge. 

I get to sew with my friends all weekend long!  I KNOW!  Isn't it incredible?  Starting promptly after work today I get to go to my friend's house with approximately 8 of my other friends and sew ALL weekend.

I don't have to sleep, do laundry, cook, clean, shower, eat or anything if I don't want to.  (I'm sure I will do a few of those things.)  There are a couple of us who usually stay up until 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning and then get up around 7:00 or 8:00 and do it all again.  I usually get SO much done.  We laugh a lot, and sympathize and well, discuss and sew. 

I can't wait!  My sewing machine is sitting here in my office calling to me.  (I can't leave it in my truck all day in these frigid temperatures, it would hate me.) 

Hubby gets to have Daddy/daughter time this weekend with Hailey.  (Not that he doesn't get A LOT of that lately.)  I was really crabby this morning, I was feeling stressed.  Now I feel bad about being crabby this morning since I will not see either one of them again until Sunday.  I'll call.  I'll call later, say I'm sorry and I love you and all will be well again.

I know I won't be crabby when I get home.

I'll be in sewing heaven still.  Energized from all the stuff I got done.  Inspired by all the creativity of my friends around me.

It will be GREAT!  So I guess what I'm getting at is this will be my last post until at least Sunday night.

I know, I'll miss you too.  I know you guys can't get enough of my silly poetry and whining.  The good news is when I get back I will have soooooo much to share.

See you then!

Gentrie

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Believing so......

(art by: dedpan.deviantart.com)
If you believe hard enough
does that make it so?

Some people say yes,
Some people say no.

For me I choose yes,
No would be too bleak.

I'm a glass half full person,
Every day of the week.

So for now I'll close my eyes,
And wish I may, wish I might.

Hopefully soon when I open my eyes,
It will have all come true, in spite.........

Copyright 1/12/2011  Gentrie @ Thunderbird-fox

Monday, January 10, 2011

Some semblance of a poem

Stress
The bane of my existance.
Cold frigid weather
Snow upon snow upon snow.
Bundle layer, turtlenecks are all too small.
Or maybe I'm just too tall.

Maybe that is it.
New pants,
Hubby likes.
Tight today, water weight go away.

Driving in snow, watching snow fall,
My whole world is snow.
Did I mention it's snowing........
AGAIN?

Tomorrow is another day.
I'm tired and need to sleep.
Had a power nap at noon,
It wasn't enough.

The END!

Gentrie

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Negative Attitudes............

My family is swamped in negative attitudes and it is driving me crazy.  Everywhere I turn it's whining and complaining about something. 

How can I get them to understand that whining and complaining does nothing.  They need to get off their butts and do something about it. 

I actually chewed hubby out a little bit the other day about his negative attitude.  I'm tired of his attitude the most.  I understand his point but as we cannot do anyhting about it right this instant, get over it!  Live your life how you need to now and we'll get there.  Quit bitchin'.

Of course here is the irony of this post about whining........I am now whining.  See what they do to me?

OK, I'm done.

Thanks for listening.

Gentrie

Thursday, January 6, 2011

A Movie Review.....

We are getting caught up on watching our netflix movies.  Last night we watched the new Robin Hood with Russell Crowe as Robin Hood.

I like Russell Crowe.

I liked this movie.  It was a new take on Robin Hood and was really about how he became Robin Hood.  I have no idea if this is based on the actual "man" or if it's just some writers take on what could have happened.  I liked it though.  It has everything, humor, fighting, war and even love. Kate Blanchet makes for a nice Maid Marian also.  I wonder how much weight she had to loose to look half starved?  I'm curious to see if they make a sequel about his exploits AS Robin Hood.  I'd watch it.

Overall I give it 3-1/2 stars.

Really, who wouldn't to watch it just looking at this poster?

Tonight we watched The Blind Side.  I really liked this movie also.  It is incredibly moving, and rather cry at the end like most movies, I cried more at the beginning and a couple parts in the middle.  I wouldn't say cried but definitely teared up, a few may have flowed.  What an inspiration that family is and how incredibly lucky Michael Ohre was.  Really he was not cut out for the "hood" life.  What an amazing kid (man) to have gone through all he did and stick it out to become the amazing person he is now.  What really makes this movie is knowing it really happened.  I am very happy there are still people like the Tuohys in the world.

I give it 4 stars.

I didn't even recognize Tim McGraw without a hat on.  He did a wonderful job though.  I could tell he was holding back in the kissing scene with Sandra.

Both good movies, if you seen them and get a chance to I would.

Good night!

Gentrie

Monday, January 3, 2011

Something Quilty-ish

So I made my first purse yesterday.  I've had a slight fear of making one and the purse guru here, aka my friend Lynn, said this one was an easy one to start with.  She was right.  A lot of steps and work but it was easy and fun.

TaDa!  Hubby was upset I got his arm in the pic, to which I ask, how was I not?

I also made a wallet and a Kleenex sleeve to go with it.  This was fun and I love this fabric.  It is not like anything I would normally pick, but there it is.


I am having issues with my blog only allowing me to post one picture at a time.  If I leave and come back I can then do another one.  Can you say irritating?

Anyway, it was fun and I really needed a new purse.  I hate huge bulky purses, This one is big enough with lots of interior pockets.

The pattern is "Towne Purse" by Lazy Girl Designs.

Try it, you'll like it.

Gentrie

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Ahhhhhhh Sun, Finally!

It is stinkin' cold outside, but, the sun is SHINING! No gloomy grey day today! Open the blinds! Throw open the shutters! Let the sun shine in! Hehehahahoho!

OK I'm back. Minnesota has these sparkly sunny days so rarely in the winter it makes my head a little goofy. I'm a sun person and go into sun deprivation sometimes over here.

Our backyard this morning.  See the pretty sunshine, and sparkly snow?

We've lost a lot of snow recently.  It rained quite a bit Friday and a lot of snow went bye, bye!  Then it snowed again a little bit.....blah!

But today the sun is shining!  YIPPEE!

OK I'm back.

What a way to start off the new year.  In the sunshine.

Well, hope your new year brings lots of wonderful things!

Gentrie