I Did It!

I finally did it.  Have been thinking about doing this
for some time and saving for it and yesterday I did it.
I purchased my very own bike and I am so excited.

When I first stopped at the shop my question to
the young salesman was, "What do you have for
an out of shape, older woman that wants to get
in shape?"  His reply:  "I have just the bike for
you."  And---He did!

It is made for comfort and easy riding.  I sit up
straight and it fits my arm perfectly.  No stress
or pressure on my arm...no leaning forward.

Yesterday rode around the neighborhood trying
everything out and making sure I still had balance.
My grandson's brought their scooters over and
went with me.  It was such fun!  They got quite a
kick out of Grandma riding a bike.

My friend, Laurel, and I headed out for an early
ride this morning and went about five miles as
I worked on learning how to shift gears and trying
to bike up graduating inclines...some steeper than
others.  We live in an area where there is more
incline than flat areas.    Must admit had to walk
my bike a few times---legs still a little shaky.  But,
I know with perseverance I will conquer the
inclines and develop strength in my legs .  Although
I walk daily, it is not the same, I'm finding.  Much
easier going down hill!

I love the freedom it gives me and being able
to go more places and feeling that breeze on
my face as I go down hill.  There are several
biking areas that I hope to bike in the coming
months. 

Are you ready for this, Laurel?

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Nola

Word of the Day

TRUST

     Noun:  Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability,
or strength of someone or something.

"Trust" is often a fragile thing, something we take for
granted or just expect to find and have in our
association with others.  I believe it is something
that must be nurtured, respected and maintained
through actions, thoughts and feelings.  It is not
something to be taken lightly because once trust
is broken, it is not easy to rebuild the trust that once
was there although over time it can often be done.

As I thought about the word "trust" an experience
we had with our boys when they were small
came to mind.

We were on a camping trip to the Teton National
Forest and Yellowstone.  We stopped at the
Willow Flat Overlook where there was a display
of pictures and information about the Tetons and
we could enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the
mountains.

    

The boys were excited to get out and run around.
In my mind I recall squirrels or chipmunks and a
few birds that they delighted in chasing.  We let
them play for awhile and then said it was time to
leave.  Brian, our oldest, fell right into step with
us, but Michael did not want to leave and took off
in the opposite direction.

After much coaxing we decided to slowly start
walking back to the truck calling out, "Bye
Michael.  We'll see you later."  All the time,
keeping a close eye on him thinking that this
reverse psychology would work and when he
saw us walking away he would come running.

I remember Brian getting so upset to think that
we would just go off and leave his brother, that
we didn't care about him.  With tears
streaming down his face he ran back  to get his
brother telling him that "He wouldn't leave him.
That even if we didn't love Michael, he did."
It was quite traumatic for Brian.  I walked back,
gathered the boys into my arms, told them that
we loved them and that we would never leave
them.  For the rest of the trip, Brian watched
over Michael and never let him out of his sight.

Parents and children place "trust" in each other.
Although young children may not realize it is
"trust", they instinctively know and believe that
person will take care of them and keep them safe.
That day Brian's trust in us, his parents and
guardian's, was shaken.  In his young mind he
did not know that we would not leave his
brother.  All he knew was that Mom and Dad
were walking away and leaving Michael behind.

"Trust" is fragile and is not something to be
tampered with or taken lightly.  I had a
responsibility to my children and I let my son
down.  I was taught a great and powerful
lesson that day.

Nola

JOY!

Think I have fallen in love with these simple little
wool felt blocks.  This is the second kit I purchased
last year at Pine Needles Open House. 

I added a small snowflake to the snowman block
as it seemed to need something more.  May try a
snowflake button next time.

Digging through my felt, I found some black and
white pieces that I think are large enough to cut
out two more sets.  These blocks are only 3 inches
square finished.  Think they will make great little
friendship gifts.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day.

Nola

Finished!

This afternoon I finished my wool felt
                       

blocks.  They were very quick and easy to do---
just what I like.  Think I'll put them in some
clear plastic gift bags, tie them with Christmas ribbon
and put them away until needed for Christmas.
Hopefully, I can get a few more sets made
in the coming days and weeks.  

May try doing one in a different color of felt and
stitching some daisies instead of snow flakes.
Then they could be given any  time of the year.

What do you think----should I keep  them as
is for Christmas or do one that could be set
out all year?

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day.

Nola

Update

This afternoon I visited my young friend,
Daniel, at the hospital.  Just before I got there his
doctor gave him permission to go home for
a few days.  He was able to leave about 6:30 p.m.
He will need to be back for Chemo Monday morning.

We were all so excited with this wonderful news.
When I got home knew something had to be done
to let  him know how much he was loved and
cared about.  Was able to get some of the young
women in the neighborhood to make some hearts
and "heart attack" his front yard.  I ran and got
some yellow balloons to put out on his drive
way.  We also put a sign up with balloons that he
would see as they entered our subdivision.

It was such fun and hope that it brought a little
joy into his and his families life.  We will keep
a prayer in our hearts that the two blood transfusions
he had before leaving the hospital will sustain him
and that he will have no problems for next few days
so he can enjoy being home.

Thanks for visiting.  Hope you  have a wonderful
day.

Nola

A Little of This, A Little of That

I am very blessed to have wonderfully talented and
gifted friends and family who share their talents with
me.  As I look around my home, there isn't a room
I enter that does not reflect back something that
has been given me.  And I most grateful for all the
time and effort that goes into their beautiful gifts.

This year for my birthday, my friend JoAnn made
me this beautiful framed quilt and stitchery---all
done by hand and in my favorite colors! I just love
it!

Today started out sunny, but it has clouded up and
has become a rather dreary day.  Nice earlier for
working in my garden however.

My Hollyhocks have really done  well this year and
are so pretty against the back fence.  Usually by this
time of the year when they bloom, the leaves are
eaten and there is just the bare stem with a few
flowers.  I have tried everything to get rid of the
pesty little bugs that love the leaves and nothing has
seemed to help.

A few weeks ago while spraying my roses for aphids
I decided to spray the Hollyhocks because something
was eating the leaves and it looked like there were
little aphids on them.  Figured it wouldn't hurt them.
Wow!  What a difference it has made.  Still have lots
of green leaves and flowers...much more than in past
years. Haven't noticed any little bugs, so, I will keep
on using my rose spray and hope that is what's
working.

Finished the dish cloths today for my daughter and
really didn't feel like working on the same old
things I work on every day.  So, went down to
my sewing room, pulled out a kit I had bought
last year and decided to work on it. Got
everything cut out and pinned on the wool felt,
so after dinner while watching TV I  will do a little
stitching.  This is a little smpling of what is to
be stitched.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope your day is going
well.

Nola

Word of the Day

And, the word of the day is:  Interview
   (A formal consultation usually to evaluate
   qualifications--as a prospective student or
   employee.)

I have had many interviews over my lifetime.
Interviews with my parents, teachers, bishops,
stake presidents and potential employees.  Many
consultations I remember and many I don't.

But there is one that stands out in my mind which
took place when I was about 14 or 15  years old.
I was seeking a job as a dishwasher at the
Homestead, a resort in my hometown.  Because
I was under age I could only obtain menial
positions, work limited hours and must have a
work permit.

I had known the owners of the Homestead
 since they had moved to Midway
from California.  I went to school and played
with their children.  My father, as a building
contractor, did a lot of work for the Whitaker's,
including construction of the "Farm" and "Ranch"
houses--guest  lodging.  He also built Martha and
Ferrin's home.


All the Whitaker's had treated me kindly as I
tagged along helping my father with clean-up
at the construction sites and played with their
children in their homes.


But, suddenly Martha (who did all the
interviewing for prospective employees at the
Homestead) became a totally different person--a
person of authority and I had to prove myself as a
capable prospective employee to her although
she knew from observing me helping my Dad
that I was a good worker.

I remember sitting across from her in the
empty dining room nervous as all get out
while she questioned me as to my abilities,
why I wanted to work there and if being so
young as I was, I thought I could do the work
which consisted of scraping off the dirty
dishes, loading them onto trays to be sent
through the huge automatic dishwashers, then
removing the cleaned and sterilized plates,
glasses and utensils and returning them to
their proper places to be used again.

I assured her I could do all that and more, that
I would always show up to work on time and
that I would work hard.  I must have passed the
interview because I got the summer job.

Through the ensuing years and into my first
year of college, an interview was required to
advance to the next position.  I don't think they
ever got any easier. Martha was a stickler for
proper work ethics.  I learned a lot from her
over the years as I worked in the soda fountain
and became a waitress in the dining room.
Even now I am very observant of those who
serve me in restaurants and often think how
Martha would cringe at some of the service.

Interviewing and being interviewed is not easy,
but I guess it is part of the learning and growing
process that each of us must go through at
some point in our lives.

Do you recall your first interview, who it was
with and what it was for?

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day.

Nola

Knots!

Do you tie a knot when you embroider?  Or how do
you begin your stitching?  I tie a small knot, but have
not really been happy doing that because it always
leaves a little bump where the knot is.  For a period of
time I tried leaving a small length of embroidery
thread on the back as I began and stitched over it
hoping to catch the thread.   But, I always worried
that it might pull out and then there would go all
my hard work.

So when this tutorial was recommended to me by
friends at my favorite quilting shop, I decided to
check it out.  It is so very simple!  Why didn't I
think of it?  Perhaps you  have already seen
this.  If not check it out.    Bari J

Do you have a favorite way to begin and end
your embroidery stitching.  If so, I'd love to
have you share it with me.

Also while visiting Fiona she posted about
improving her embroidery skills. Go here:
 Helen is teaching different stitches and
you can work on some great little
designs.  It would also be a great site for
someone who wants to learn the different
embroidery stitches.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day.

Nola

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ---- Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Outside my window...It is a beautiful warm summer
afternoon.  The sky is free of clouds for a change
and the temperatures are in the upper 80's.  A
perfect day!

I am thinking...How nice it is to have the windows
here in the family room washed and shiny.  While
cleaning the windows this afternoon I got all the
curtains washed and rehung.  Everything looks
fresh and smells clean!  Can't believe how much
more energy I have when the sun is shining.  Hope
to get the rest of the windows in the house done
on Friday.

I am thinking...About getting back to doing some
writing.  I used to do a little project called "Word
of the Day".  I used a random word generator to
select a word and then used it as a catalyst for my
5 to 10 minutes of writing.  It was a lot of fun
and somewhat challenging.

In the kitchen...All is quiet.  Won't be fixing
dinner tonight as my daughter invited me over to
her home for a late lunch.  I bought some fresh
cherries today so think I'll just snack on them
tonight.

I am wearing...Light green capri's and an old
tan tee shirt.  (My cleaning clothes)  Need to change
back into regular clothes.

I am creating...A "gratitude" journal.  Found a
notebook that I had started writing in in 2008.
Only a few pages were written on so decided I
would start again.  So far, I've written every day
this week.  There is so much I have to be grateful
for.

I am thankful for....For my son who stopped by on his
way to work to help me rehang a blind.  The cord had
gotten tangled and I was unable to raise or lower the
blind, so I took it down and then couldn't get it
back up in place.

I am wondering...Where the day has gone?  It is
already 5:30 in the afternoon.

I am reading... The Tailor's Daughter by Janice
Graham

I am hoping...To put together little party favors
for my grandchildren.  When they were smaller and
we celebrated my birthday, I would give them a
simple little gift.  Now that they are getting bigger
I have decided to fill little bags with treats, simple
toys, etc. that they can take home at the end of
our party.  They really get excited and I think
they enjoy this more than a gift.  You never know
what you might find in your "birthday" bag!

I am looking forward to...Being with my children
and grandchildren tomorrow evening.

I am hearing...the CD, "Where Love Is"by
Jennie Oaks Baker

Around the house...Happy Smiles on my
Windows!  LOL

I am pondering...on my friend, Daniel.  He is
still not doing very well.  Still in ICU and may
be there until the weekend.  Still trying to decide
about what type of pneumonia he has.  He
has now been in the hospital 21 days.

One of my favorite things...A tall glass loaded
with ice and water.  That's what I'm drinking
right now and it is refreshing after being outside
washing windows.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Hair cut tomorrow -- Yeah!
Belated birthday party tomorrow evening
Finish cleaning windows
Work on stitching, knitting and whatever
else is in my basket
Yard work on Saturday after I get off work
 Church on Sunday

 Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...
My young friend Daniel at his high school
graduation in June.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Nola