" A Tour of My Apartment "

Last night I decided that it was once again time to clean my apartment. No I am not divorced. But I have turned the whole upstairs into my space. We all refer to it as my apartment. We, my husband and I, often joke about this saying that if we were ever to divorce, we could still live cheaply. Me upstairs and him downstairs. He doesn't care for it up here as the ceilings are very low and he is 6 foot 3 inches, and shrinking! When we bought this house ten years ago, my husband wanted it because of the huge front room that has a fireplace. I wanted it because of the upstairs.

The photo below is the stairway leading downstairs.

When we first bought the house, Katie was only four. She had the bedroom that is now mine and Jake and I used what we now call my front room or living room.

The photo below is now my bedroom that Katie grew out of and wanted to move downstairs into one of the big bedrooms. Sarah the cat wanted to be in the photo. Poor dear is still wondering what happened to spooky.

Directly across from my bedroom is what is now my dressing room / craft room/ closet. It used to be Katie's toy room and had dinosaurs that I hand painted all around the room. She was so into dinosaurs! Her tastes have since become more expensive! This room also has plumbing in it which makes me think that the previous owners had intended to make this into an apartment. It is quite full I know, it is my personal storage space!

This next photo is self explanatory. It is my very girly bathroom!

This area has a large dresser which you can see in the next photo. Also my great-grandmothers cedar chest that is now filled with yarn and also a small cabinet and small dresser.

I have always wanted to tear down the plaster that surrounds the above chimney to expose the brick underneath. Someday!

If you turn around from the chimney, you will see my dresser. All of the boxes piled up next to it are all of the photos of our lives. Another hopefully, future project. We all have them!

Opposite the dresser is an old vanity that Kate used to use. She no longer wanted it so I have stored all of my sewing patterns in the drawers. They fit perfectly!
The photo below is the hallway leading to the back of my apartment where the bedroom, bathroom and dressing room are located.

And finally we are in my small living area. There are two comfortable chairs. The rocker with the foot stool is mine. This is understood!

Another view of the chimney that separates the living spaces. On the book shelves are all of my crochet books and magazines. Hundreds!

I used to have a large t.v. on this old dresser, but when the downstairs one died , I unselfishly donated it to the downstairs living room. Well maybe not unselfishly! But since I don't watch much television upstairs it was no big deal.

Last night as I finished cleaning my apartment, Katie came upstairs and said to me that she should be able to move up here and could really " Rock this place out". I just looked at her and said that in four years she could move and rock her own place out!

Truthfully I love it up here. It is so quite and a great place to escape to. Especially since no one else wants to come up here. I think the stairs hinder them! It's also a good place to read or just sit and look out the windows. Or to blog!

" Satuday Salutations! "

Alright, I am back. Yesterday was a horribly depressing day for me but today I am much better. Katie did not show any emotion what so ever about Spooky's passing. I suppose this is normal for a fourteen year old. At least I hope!
I methodically made us dinner last night as I realized all that I ate was a giant piece of German chocolate cake. Comfort food I suppose. I made us broiled chicken breast with cheesy rice, green beans and biscuits. I guess I was pretty hungry by then because I ate quite a bit.
When I took Spooky's body home from the vet., I started digging his grave. My son showed up soon after to finish my sorry attempt. I only made it about one foot down and my hands just couldn't do anymore. It helped to keep my mind focused for a bit.
Frank dug down two more feet in less then the time it took for me to dig one foot!
We then buried Spooky next to Zippers and Midnight. After that I let it go for a while.
Katie and I watched a movie after dinner. " The Nanny Diaries ", very cute! When it ended there was still a little light left in the day so I went outside to replant some of the plants where Spooky had been buried. I also added a Cosmo, as I have so many around the yard.


Spooky is on the right where there is no cross yet. I was running out of light by then so I will find some wood today or tomorrow and make one for him. After I finished the cemetery, I watered all of the plants, all the while wondering what the local water company was doing with all of their extra revenue this summer. They raised their rates once again this year so I have cut way back on the amounts of plants I have and the amount of watering. Also as I was watering I couldn't help but think that it was probably going to rain. All I have to do is get my hose out and you can pretty much guess that it will rain!

After being eaten alive by mosquitoes, I went inside to bathe. As Katie was doing the dishes I took a ride and bought myself a bottle of wine. Merlot. It was good. I watched another movie called " Wonder Boys " with Michael Douglas,Toby Maguire, Robert Downy Jr. and Rip Torn. It was a crazy movie. It gave me quite a few laughs which I really needed.

After the movie I was off to bed and then of coarse, sometime in the night I heard the thunder and the rain!

Even though yesterday was a difficult one, it was made so much better by everyone's caring comments on my posts. They kept coming in all through the day and evening. When my husband is not here, I really feel alone but not yesterday. All of you shared your feelings and experiences with me and it truly, truly helped.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

" Memory's of Spooky " from Ginny

I loved Spooky so much b/c even though he weighed like 5,000 pounds, he would still let you pick him up and he would wrap his arms around your neck. It was the cutest, strangest cat behavior. He was such a loverboy. He purred all the time and always wanted love, but he was never obnoxious. He was put to sleep today.

One of my family's cats had to be put to sleep today. RIP Spooky.

" In Memory of Spooky "

I AM DEDICATING MY POST TODAY TO SPOOKY. OUR VERY LOVING BOY CAT WHO WE CALLED OUR " LOVER BOY "
SPOOKY PASSED TODAY, JUNE 10,2009.

Seven years ago, on a cold and rainy October night, my daughter Katie and I heard a faint non distinct sound on our front porch. We opened the door to find a very tiny gray puffball facing the front door looking at us. It was so tiny and so furry that is was a little hard to tell what it was a first. So tiny was he that he barely had a voice. Of course Katie and I had to investigate further.
It was most definitely a feline. Naturally we brought the poor, cold, and wet little orphan in the house. Naturally. We brought him into one of the spare bedrooms as we had at that time six other cats and didn't want them to start a revolt. Upon investigation, I determined that the fur ball was a boy. Oh dear, this is not good. You see all of our cats were females. All spayed of course but all that kept running through my mind was how much my husband disliked male cats.
What to do, what to do? I could lie and say it is a girl cat. Nope, my husband is far from stupid. So I did the right thing and told him that the kitty was a boy. And between Katie's begging and my absolute refusal to get rid of him, the little gray fur ball had a new home. There was however one condition. My husband wanted to name him. That was easy! And since it was very close to Halloween and a dark and rainy night at that, Jake named him Spooky.
One of the reasons that my husband didn't want a male cat was he had always heard that they sprayed. Spooky never did. Not even once. Spooky also learned early on to wrap his front legs around us when we picked him up. Just like a real hug. He loved my husband and would hug him whenever he could.
Spooky was a very easy going cat. Spooky was never mean. Spooky was filled with love. Spooky was a good cat. A very good cat. And we shall miss him very, very much.




The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting heaven and earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of it's many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. Those old and frail animals are young again. Those who have been maimed are whole again. They play all day with each other.
But there is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches, the ears are up, the eyes are staring, and this one suddenly runs from the group. You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her into your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.


SPOOKY WILL BE DEARLY MISSED.
REST IN PEACE LOVER BOY.

"Wonderful Wednesday"

Today is a Wonderful Wednesday for me so I would like to acknowledge an award that I have received from Annette at "A Wisp of Creativity" And also Eileen at "Umma's World". Two wonderful women that let us visit their worlds and share their lives with us. Thank you Annette and Eileen.


" The Bella Sinclair Award "




The Bella Sinclair was created by Ces in honor of her dear friend Bella to celebrate art, inspiration, friendship, sisterhood, sharing and caring.

And what wonderful words, Art, Inspiration, Friendship, Sisterhood, Sharing and Caring.
Wonderful words for a Wonderful, Word filled Wednesday!

I have gained many valuable friendships since I have begun blogging. I have learned so much from all of you and you all have inspired me in one way or another.
As far as sisterhood goes, I've never had a sister but I do feel like I have many now.
All of you have been very caring and it warms my heart. I have grown fond of you all.

You have all shared your lives,your hopes, your dreams and your fears. That is bravery my friends. Our lives are our art. Each one a different yet beautiful canvas that is newly created every day.
And quite beautiful to see.

It is a gift to know you all!
Thank you.

" God Bless America and Mr. Lincoln Too!"

"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume III, "Letter To Henry L. Pierce and Others" (April 6, 1859), p. 376.

I thought that I would begin my one hundredth post with a quote from my very favorite historical figure, Mr. Abraham Lincoln. I became fascinated with Mr. Lincoln a few years ago when my daughter Ginny received her Masters Degree from The University of Illinois at Springfield. We went there for her graduation and while we were there visited a few of the many historical site's that are devoted to President Lincoln and his wife Mary. Unfortunately this was before Springfield's latest addition of the Lincoln Library. But I do hope to some day return there as I was completely fascinated and in awe of all of the history there.





Lincoln's home is amazing. It has been meticulously renovated over the years. Each time great care has gone into removing and storing all of our former presidents belongings while the home's structure has been maintained.






I took many, many photos of the interior of the Lincoln's home. The furnishings I found to be extremely fascinating.Unfortunately my scanner is not hooked up so these photos I got off of the web. The above photo is of Mary's tiny kitchen. I had to laugh about this as my kitchen is about the same size! However, I am fortunate enough to have a few more modern conveniences then Mary had!





Mary Todd Lincoln was quite a character in her own right. After reading her biography I came to the conclusion that she was a very complicated woman. Very devoted to her husband and family. Yet she seemed to suffer a number of maladies that today we know are common among us women. Not discussed back in her day however. She suffered great loses in her life. Also her uncontrollable spending left her the target of much ridicule. I always felt that her over spending was filling a void for her loneliness.


This next photo is of the Appellate Courthouse in our town. It is just three blocks from my home.




In 1854 , $6000.00 was appropriated for the erection of one of three grand divisions of the supreme court of Illinois to be built in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
On August 27, 1840, before the erection of the court house, Abraham Lincoln, then 31 years old, came to Mt.Vernon to debate John A. McClernand. This was only one of several visits that Mr. Lincoln made to Mt.Vernon.
Nineteen years later on November 18, 1859, Mr. Lincoln again visited Mt. Vernon. Only this time it was at the above court house to argue a case involving The State of Illinois vs. Illinois Central Railroad. It was a tax case in which Mr. Lincoln argued for the railroad. The railroad won.
This court house is quite beautiful inside and out. You can really feel history as you walk through it. The staircase in the front of the building took three weeks by ox cart from St. Louis to arrive.
One other interesting note about this court house. In 1888 there was a great tornado that created quite a bit of destruction in Mt. Vernon. So much so that Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, set up a make shift hospital in this very same court house to help tend to the injured.



This fine statue is the latest addition to the court house's grounds. I remember the day that it was being unveiled. I drove right by it as I was taking my daughter home from school. I was so excited! My Katie was so embarrassed! But I didn't care because I love old Abe. Somewhere there are photos of my daughter Ginny and I playing around this statue. I will have to find out what happened to them. At least I have one daughter that enjoys being silly with her mom!

Well I could go on and on about Mr. Lincoln. His life, his politics, his homes, his family, his wife and his death. But it would take hours so I am going to end my thoughts about Abraham Lincoln by saying that I find him a fascinating historical character and it's a shame that politicians today do not emulate Mr. Lincoln. What a better place we would live in if they did. Certainly not perfect, but better.

"What I Did on my Fourth of July Vacation"

Well I went to see the fireworks of coarse! I did not want to go. Not only have I been feeling horrible but I have seen enough fireworks to last me a lifetime. My stepfather was a pyrotechnic. Every year we would go to several shows. The families would go along, from sun up to sun down to each and every show. These guys would work for hours on end digging holes and setting up. We would go along to spend the day with them and also to cook. We would get to where ever the show would be at about 6:00 a.m. and didn't end up leaving until after midnight. It was fun for awhile and then it got old. So now I don't care about them at all. As you can clearly see from this photo. Please keep in mind that I was also feeling yucky!



My husband, so excited!




I will say that these guys work very hard to put the shows on. It takes many hours of work and lots money to put on a great show. And there are occasional injuries. Being on the ground where the bombs are being lit is like being in a war zone and much caution and care goes into it. So I do appreciate what they do despite my boredom with the fireworks anymore.

Jake and I were tricked, finagled, and guilted into going to the fireworks display. Katie had her friend over for the weekend and they wanted to see the fireworks. Or so we thought. It rained all day and stopped for awhile before show time. It was so wet out that Jake and thought it might be better to go to my mom's town the following night to watch the show with her. Well the girls through a fit because they were supposed to meet all of their friends at the airport where the show was being held. They really could care less if they saw the show itself or not! Can't disappoint the girls now can we?




As things turned out, Jake and I spent the whole evening alone. Which was alright. There was a band playing by us, they weren't bad at all. We, Jake and I, were nothing more than a taxi service. The next day my oldest daughter, Ginny reminded me that it would only be a year and a half before Katie would be her own taxi. My but time flies when your having fun!
I will leave you now with some pretty darn cool photos of the fireworks that I took myself. Not too bad, I must say!












Good Night and God Bless!

" Some Random Photos from Katie "

Just for fun I started looking through Katie's photos. There were quite a few that I liked and admired. So with her permission I am just going to post some of the ones that I really like!

This is one of many of her self portraits.

" Self Discovery "

" Sisters on a Trip "




" Backyard Fire "



" My Maple Tree "

My only tree!




I guess she liked my Cone Flowers!





I think they are following her!





My current favorites, the Cosmos!




Poor little babushka pug!




Camping at Rend Lake.




One last self portrait. My girl, Katie.