A Tribute to Mother

May 10, 2010....Mother's Day...


I wanted this to be a special tribute to my mother who passed away several years ago. She was my special rock...my go to person...she always understood my situations...even before I had them figured out. It took a strong will and mind to raise stair step children in the 50's and 60's. She always said that having 3 toddlers at once was an experience. I was the oldest, then my sister, 2 years younger and my brother a year younger than her. My youngest sister came along 10 years after me. I was the first grandchild and the first for my parents so can you guess who the spoiled one was?

My mother was a homemaker, dad's secretary and also found time for one of her favorite activities....bowling. She and my dad were avid bowlers, both belonging to the 700 club. Most of the traveling throughout Illinois to tournaments was before us kids were born and then while we were young.
When my youngest sister started school, mom decided it was time to work outside our home. She went to work for the Illinois Department of Public Aid until her retirement. The picture above is one of several shots taken for their wedding. I have always been proud of my beautiful mother and handsome father!!

The gorgeous Spring Catus was my gift for Mother's Day. I think, together, they made my day...have a great week...Shelly

Getting back into the swing of things!

Hi all! It's been a while since I have posted...but I have been keeping up with everyone. I'll even try to catch up on the Monday Photo of the Week. I'm not linked to the themes, but will find them through some of your blogs.

The last few weeks in my world has been kinda topsy turvy...some problems to deal with and some minor surgery on my left foot..."a misplaced 4th metatarsal head" does that tell you what you need to know? It was causing pressure on the bottom of my foot and had to come out. When I asked the doctor if a person could live without that bone, he just glared at me and said "You ! are gonna have to!" Ok, so a week ago I had the surgery and today went back for a checkup. Everyone, including me was pleased as healing is underway. It sill hurts somewhat to walk and I have an ugly shoe to wear. I can't wait to get back into regular shoes....if fact...I have ordered new ones...some cute MaryJanes.

Anyway, I tried to keep busy last week when I was unable to walk...not a whole lot a person can do lying in bed with your foot up on pillows. Thanks to a wonderful bogging friend who sent me several digital images to work with, I've been coloring and now am trying to be creative making cards...some I will described below.

This little girl looks like she is in deep thought...

On the inside, just a touch of inspiration!

This little girl is doing that "he loves me, he loves me not".

And on the inside the definition of a wish!

I found the puzzle pieces on clipart...I just copied and pasted a whole sheet to use however I wanted.

The inside, I found these words very fitting...just like puzzle pieces....

My granddaughter wanted to create her own card for one of her best friends...Reese...this is what she came up with.

She wanted the bow to be on the inside. I don't know if you can tell, but the stripes on the front and back are shinny and the dots on the inside are also shinny and glittery. I think she did a great job!

Have a great day.....Shelly

Photo of the Week...My Favorite Color

I figured that this would be an easy theme...my favorite color...but....I decided that I don't have a favorite...at least not just one. The picture below is of my tote that I use everyday. I bought it for two reasons...one because I just love the color combination and two...because I wanted a pattern for making ones of my own.



Just as I was happy with my choice....I looked around my bedroom for more inspiration and behold....my every wall is adorned with sage green...yes...maybe my favorite color!!! I guess you can say that I have "many" vinyetts. In this corner is a scrip picture from my girls along with special wall pockets and antique doilies.

On this wall is a special tapestry purchased from a friend's shop...just love the sage green and it went well with my birdhouse.

This is the wall above my bed where I hang my angels...of course, I painted the shelf to match the other greens in my room. The spray was purchased from the same friend...she is not in business any more, but always had such beautiful pieces. The little lady hanging on the left is a borrowed piece, and made by one of our blogging friends!!!

This is the corner of my life where I do most of my serious thinking and TV watching. See...more green and the Big Gold Chair. On the self are some homemade fabric balls and 4 small mirrors purchased from a friend and painted green. The little doorknob shelf was a purchase from a friend and the mirror above it was a gift from a co-worker.

Come, sit for awhile and visit with me....Have a great day....Shelly

Grosgrain: Flirty Aprons GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Flirty Aprons GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

What a wonderful giveaway. Take a look at all the cute aprons!!!

When I saw this site it reminded me of a recently purchased book about APRONS My mother wore aprons when she worked in the kitchen....sorta like June Clever...I wear a red one, when I remember to put it on. There is something so comforting about an apron...maybe the thought of something marvelous being baked or simmering on the stove...I don't know...but I do know that I have a thing for aprons...Shelly

Photo of the Week...Changing Seasons

It has taken me all week to find signs of Spring. Today is the first day of Spring and I will say that the signs are slowing appearing.




The grass in our yard is starting to green up and look...already I found a dandelion amongst the crabgrass. My yard really does need attention. We have clumps here and there mixed with a few wild onions sprigs.







I'm not sure what these little purple flowers are, but when they start appearing, you know Springtime is just around the corner.












I snapped this picture because I was following some sort of blue bird...he or she nestled in. This is left over berries for the climbing plant on our shed. Since I know very little about plants and their names...I can't tell you what it is. Evidently, the birds don't care for them...they are so plentiful.


I did find that the Red bud tree at the side of my house is now starting to bud. We usually see the flowering pear first, then the service berry tree, then the red bud and dogwood.

A hah, the first budding of the daffodils...Spring is here...

Have a great day....Shelly

Photo of the Week 2...What Am I?

I'm proud of my certificate from the Missouri Mappers Association. It was achieved though dedication and testing of my skills with understanding the "cadastral" mapping system setup by the State Tax Commission in the early 80's for a state wide reassessment of real property.
At present, I am still using the pen and ink method...
















Below is a map print...actually, right in the middle is my property...about 1.23 acre. Looks pretty cool from the air.

This is a view of my mapping workstation...note the light table...it is really helpful when using a photo underlay and a mylar on top to draw property lines. See my stack of work in the lower left...I'm so behind...this work should have been done by the end of January. I need a clone...2 jobs in one is getting to be an art form. I couldn't give up one over the other.

The tract books are about 2' by 2' and are quite heavy and must be carried to that long table in the back of upper photo for viewing.

This is one of 2 safes that hold some of the most valuable land records for Reynolds County. These are my tract books and contain land transfer information from the late 1880's to the present.

When I pondered this question, I first thought of something odd or unusual...I guess some would say that I am odd and unusual.

I looked around and decided that I am a Jane of all trades...besides being a mom, wife and grandma, my job outside the house keeps me pretty busy.

This is my main work station...phone and computer work here!!! Seems crowded, but it saves steps when everything is within reach.

At work, I wear two hats...the first is kinda like a crown...I am the queen of Title Insurance, Deed preparation and the all round "go to" person when it comes to real estate. I love my job because I not only get to work with so many lovely people, but I also enjoy the research and history part of the job. I get to pour over old courthouse records...finding lost heirs...and getting the satisfaction that I have solved and brought together "a chain of good title".

My second hat is sorta like that of a "pirate", you know...using maps for treasure hunting... only since I am involved with the mapping of our county's real estate records...yea...I actually take a deed description and plat it or draw it out for taxing purposes. I've been the mapper or "cartographer " with Reynolds County for over 25 years now...boy I really am getting old. This is also a job that I love dearly. Give me a E 1/2 NW 1/4 SW 1/4 Section 16, Township 32 North, Range 2 East any day and I'll be a happy camper. Several years ago I attained the designation of Professional Missouri Mapper...wow, I have a title...Michelle the PMM. Sounds pretty important doesn't it?

As you see...I still haven't mastered inserting pictures...but I think my next post will be better...I have a plan...until then, have a great day....Shelly

Photo of the Week...What Am I?

Went on a road trip Sunday and...had a blast searching for oddities and got in some target practice with the 22 rifle. Just wanted to give you all a chance to guess what this is....Will let you know sometime this week....Have a great Monday...Shelly