I AM BACK !

Wow, I cannot believe how time flies, and how bad I have been about keeping my blog updated.  MY BAD!  I won't drag you into a lengthy novel about how the past months have been, I'll just start fresh!

Our 15 year old grandson is starting school here in Green Cove Springs.  He'll be a 10th grader, and is already practicing football.  I haven't been to a high school football game in YEARS...should be interesting and fun for both Gary and I. 

Though I love the hot summer days, I'm already thinking football now, stadiums, cooler nights, and of course PUMPKINS.  If you know me well, you'll know I love Autumn.  I keep some wooden pumpkins out inside my primitive home, all year.  There is just something about a pumpkin.  One of my favorite children's books, was Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor.  Tasha was a very wonderful artist and grand lady.  I suggest reading up on her and her life.  She was very special.  I still have that childrens book, and was the inspiration for my studio name, Pumpkin Moon Studio.

Well, creativity has been flowing this morning, along with filling some personalized orders.
Here are a couple of 2.5" round labels I put in my Etsy Shop this morning.

Chocolate Mint Owls

Chocolate Mint Owls....my newest stationery note card design with matching round 1.67" round return address labels.  You can find sets available in my Ebay Store, and also my Etsy Store. 

ROVING RETRO

Well, those dreams of owning a vintage small camp trailer are still lingering, and since I don't have one, I'm still designing new personalized items with the theme to keep my interest going LOL.. 

I've added these return address labels to my Ebay Store.  Fun Fun Vintage labels!

Help the Smoke Alarms are Going Off!

Yikes!  Today is it!  Double Nickle Time!  I think I'm the speed limit now...LOL... Yes, today January 9th, is my 55th birthday.  I'm very thankful to see another year.  The grandkids got me the sweetest little tea rose bush to keep in the house.  I'll have to take extra care with it.  My husband got to work this morning, and made a quick call back home....Ooops...forgot to tell you Happy Birthday!  He was so scared I would tear his head off on the phone....LOL...Lots of friends and family on Facebook have been wishing me well, and it is greatly appreciated to be greeted with so many wishes for a great day this morning!  So, with that, I'll quickly close.  Got orders to fill, and jewelry to design. 
~robbie~

My Palm Tree Froze!

It was so cold here last night, my begonias turned black.  I brought them up on a covered porch, but forgot to cover them.  ***sniff***  Gary babied those suckers all summer, just to lose them because I forgot!  Well, I guess a trip to the nursery around March will find me buying more Dragon Wing Begonias.  I love them!  They get so big and beautiful.  We stashed our ferns in the shed, and I'm so hoping they made it.  It went down to 22 degrees here in North Florida area!  I've seen colder growing up here, but was so hoping not to have to deal with anything below 32 degrees this winter.  But, can't be helped and I'm thankful the water pump didn't freeze, crack, break, lose water etc.    Nothing like going to the grocery store this morning all bundled up with scarf, gloves, long sleeve shirt, but wearing capris...LOL....Just couldn't pull those long pants out just yet! LOL....

January 1st, 2012 Brings Many Changes

Happy 2012!  It is the first day of January 2012, and this morning I'm thinking about all the changes coming our way. 

1. Our son who is a Chief in the Navy will be coming home in May or June, but will then be transferring to another ship, another base, far from us.  We are on the East Coast, he will be stationed in San Diego, CA. He is excited, and we are happy for him.  Bittersweet to say the least, but we are very happy for him.
2. One of my closet friends, Susan Grant of Country Presence, my favorite folk artist will be closing her internet presence for at least 3 years.  She and her husband are ranchers, and have decided to take a new adventure working for a cattle rancher/businessman on a ranch in "gulp!"...Russia.  They leave in a couple of days.  Hopefully, they will have contact with family and friends via Facebook, but all that is unknown right now.  I wish them great blessings with this adventure, but sure will miss my friend. 
3. I turn 55 in less than 10 days!  Yikes!  I'm glad I made it this far.  I cannot complain about getting older!  At least I'm still here, still healthy and very thankful to God for that.
4. My StepDad is still battling Alzheimers at 91 years old, and terminal cancer.  He still works in his yard daily come rain or shine.  There is no stopping him! LOL....
5. My Mom, well she is worn out from being caregiver 24/7 to my StepDad, so my brother, sister, and I are hoping we can convince our Mother of some alternative options she has for her relentless determination to care for him alone.  She won't accept help, but yet she has reached the end of her rope.  So, we plan on taking a little more charge to help her whether she likes it or not.  We'll hold that rope for her in other words, if she won't battle us too much...LOL

So, life goes on, and with 2012, I'm hoping that good changes are in store, and patience with the ones we think stink! LOL...All in all, I love my family and friends.  It has been a busy 2011 and with that I was horrible about keeping in touch, sending out birthday greetings etc.  I'll try and be better this year.  No resolutions for me, just hope that I'll do better.

Tomorrow, I'll be taking our 14 yr old grandson to the airport for his flight back to Missouri where he will finish out his school year. 

And we are determined to fly to Oregon this year, to see our son Ben and his family.  It has been way too long since we have seen them.  August was a year! :(

Blessings and patience everyone!
Robbie

Wishing you All a very wonderful New Year!

Well, you would think that things are winding down, but here we are in the verge of a new year and I'm still trying to deal with 2011.  I have a friend that is not expected to live over the next 6 months, but she will see herself into 2012.  Instead of becoming down when given her test results, she simply replied that she would spend Christmas 2012 with Jesus and Warren (her husband that passed earlier), with a sweet smile on her face. She is ready, and I admire her courage and positive outlook.  I know that she is correct in her statement.  She will be present with her beloved Lord and her husband in 2012. 

2011 has seen my husband and I through a difficult transistion, but not one so tough as my friend.  Gary was laid off from work in November 2010, but kept consistantly looking for work until he found a job very similar to the one he had, only in Florida, so 2011 saw us through a move from Tennessee to Florida.  We were 3 or 4 months apart, but we made it through.  We still own our property in Tennessee, and we are still renting a small place here in Green Cove Springs, FL.  2012 will continue to be an adventure for us as we see where this is all taking us.

My brother's barned burned down about a month ago, and in it tons of personal items and property of his, and our tractor and tiller.  $9000 worth of equipment for us, and that doesn't even scratch the surface in what my brother lost.  Insurance companies and adjusters......fighting us, and we are fighting them....Bottom line, he and I both got dropped by the company, Tennessee Farmers Insurance.  I don't suggest anyone insuring anything with them after this ordeal.  After almost 20 years with that company they dropped him, and after 8 years, they dropped us.  Why?  Because they actually had to pay out on a claim.  What a mess!

But, we all managed to come to the end of 2012 intact. My family is healthy, we are safe.  My son Travis is still deployed overseas aboard the USS The Sullivans ship.  He made Chief this year after only 10 years in the Navy.  We are proud parents, and wishing him everything he wants from his career, and thankful that we have our own children and yours serving to protect our country.  I tip my hat and heart to all active duty military, veteran's and to those who lost their lives doing so.

So with that, I pray you all have a wonderful New Year!