Day 348 - 350

Okay...I think this is going to work better...writing in the morning instead of at night. Now that the summer market is over and I have no place to sell my cards, donating them seemed like a good idea...c'mon Jacque, it would be a good idea year round. So these are going to the local veterans hospital. And a confession would be a good idea at this point...I really don't have many original ideas for cards...I wander around the Internet and see cards I like and then I copy them...maybe not exactly but pretty close. So, a HUGE thank you to all the talent that inspires me.

Day 306 - 347

The original goal of this blog was to create a record I could look back on in 10 years. Well, I certainly haven't done a very good job...huge holes in the record. I tried putting pieces of paper all over the house so I'd have a place to record my thoughts during the day and then put them here...guess what, I don't have that many thoughts because I haven't written a single word anywhere.

So, now I'm going to start writing here in the morning instead of at night...we'll see how that goes. Winter pictures.

This adorable trio is me and two Carol's. We decided to be in the Senior Follies so we chose Singin in the Rain, created a tap dance and voila...Broadway here we come. Had a great time! And if you're REALLY interested, here's the link to our video on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXTk-XLSmjw

Day 287 - 305

Every time I get back here, I'm amazed at how much time has gone by. How do those people do it who post almost every day? And I know they have busier lives than I do....hmmmmmmmmm, a mystery.

Fall has finally arrived here in Fort Collins. We had such a nice warm fall that the trees were stubbornly remaining green. But now color has arrived and it's beautiful.

This is the tree in my front yard...it's the tallest one on the street and I just love it...except when ALL these leaves fall.

Day 264 - 286

This post is going to start with the most recent happenings and go backwards...just the opposite of what I usually do because that's the way I loaded the pictures.

My sister, Karen, and I just took a GREAT camping trip to southern Colorado...Durango, Silverton, Aspen, etc to see the fall colors. Spectacular...wow...awesome!! If you've never taken a fall vacation in an area where the leaves change colors, I urge you to do it at your earliest convenience. These pictures are VERY poor substitutes for the original.

We took the Durango/Silverton train...great fun. We went ATV riding...a first for me...sometimes fun...sometimes scarry. We camped out in my camper...roasted hot dogs over the campfire, laid on the picnic table and marveled at the stars, and played lots and lots of games. A terrific time and I will definitely be going somewhere next autumn.

Brianne had her baby September 16...Rilee Allen Simmons. I suggested that that spelling will lead people to think she had a girl when in fact she had a boy. Whatever...he's adorable and mom and baby are doing great.

The last French Nest in 2010 is in 10 days. My vacation burned up several of my "getting ready" days...but it was sooooooooooo worth it. Here are a couple of fall notebooks.

And here are a couple of new cards.

Day 257 - 263

A bike is a great form of transportation. Lots faster than walking...even at my turtle-like speed, you get the wind in your face, and you see soooooooooo much more than if you're in the car. And if you live in the north end of Fort Collins, there's lots and lots of streets with little or no traffic.

I can ride to the grocery store, library, post office, and about 20 restaurants...very cool!

Day 245 - 256

Busy, busy. Don't you just LOVE it when you find a treasure at a garage sale or auction? Both the dessser scarf and the dainty apron have beautiful hand-embroidery and are in pristine condition. I've listed them on Etsy...if they don't sell before the next Market, I'll take them with me.

Granddaughter Brianne is expecting. It's a boy due the end of this month. The family shower was last weekend. She looks great...I think the only pounds she's gained are the baby...still pretty thin everywhere else.

This was my shower gift...20 thank-you notes. Not nearly enough so she'll just have to send them to the special people (ha, ha).

Now that summer is on its last legs, the cherry and watermelon cards have to go. Need product with leaves, pumpkins, scarecrows...I'm working on it. First, though, are these wedding cards.

That antique trim was a garage sale find!! Yea!

After I took this picture, Michele said, "Dump the bells"...so I did...just a sticker that easily came off.

Emma and Abby on an outing with Michele. They went bike riding, had lunch and tried on hats.

Day 229 - 244

The August market was the worst selling day yet...I did make enough to cover the booth rental but that's about it. And I was so excited about all my back-to-school items. But I think a BIG problem is the way my booth is arranged so that's going to change next time and I expect LOTS more sales.

Here's the inside of my camper loaded up for market...all my products are in the truck with me...this is just the stuff that makes up the booth.

Jessica and Joel at Disney World...they went for a week courtesy of their other grandparents.

Yes, I'm still trying to take a picture every day...honestly, I often forget and then make up by taking several pictures in one day. All of these were taken last Friday.

Day 221 - 228

My life is pretty much getting ready for the August French Nest. The frustrating part is how little I actually get done each day. I'm not sure why...it's not like there's anything else I have to do....a mystery.

First is a calendar kit. They'll get the calendar and over a hundred tags, die cuts and cut paper to put on their calendar pages as they want. It's a July 2010 to December 2011 calendar so I've used the July page as a sample to give them some ideas.

They also get a clothespin...just because they're cute!

The girls and I went to the Larimer County Fair...great fun! These teeny-tiny rubber animals were a free prize at a small hide-and-seek game put on by the 4-H.

They look a little unsure just before the ride starts, but were ready to go again when they got off.

Because my booth has the school theme, I feel like I need to have lots of choices for customers. These are pretty quick to put together and I think...I hope...they'll be popular.

Day 218 - 220

I think I mentioned that my August French Nest booth will focus on Back To School. After years in California, it's still hard for me to get used to school starting in the middle of August instead of after Labor Day...but start it does.

These are lunchbox notes. I've been making them for three days and have about 6 sets of 8 cards and envelopes. I think most of them are pretty cute...of course, I won't make any money because how much can you charge for a 3 x 3 card and an envelope? But I'm hoping it will generate interest in the booth and people will remember me as, "that lady that makes cute things."

Day 216 - 217

Yesterday I drove ALL the way to Fort Morgan...about 1-1/2 hours...to an auction which, in the online description, sounded like there were several items I would like to have...not! Everything was junky or moldy...they neglected to mention there had been a flood.

So I drove around town thinking I might spot a garage sale or two...nope! I did take these two pictures of great homes.

Stopped to watch a little of Michele's softball tournament on the way back. She's still a terrific athlete and it's fun to watch her play.