i'm a platinum blonde, comes out of a calendar, not clairol or loreal, altho' i'm worth it. lol. for a long time i did blonde figuring if nature was making me blonde at least i could choose the shade! but now i'm a combo of steely gray and white. haven't counted, but i'm pretty sure it's not 50 shades of gray. i'm thinking of having some faux pieces added in dark/bright purple or pink. just for fun and to tease my dh. tonight we went to the symphony- the rites of spring- and then out to eat with a friend in philly. lovely fun evening! i am almost ready to start my secret swap project! i'm very excited! but first i need to finish my wall hanging. nearly done, i think!

I haven't seen my natural hair color since I was about 13/14 years old - I was what was classified as tow-head when I was little - my hair would turn very light in the summer sun and darken back up in the winter months - I liked it better when it was lighter so I started coloring it - I had some OMG moments throughout the years doing it myself. I have super fine hair and it's straight as sticks - I refer to it as the seal-head look; it's very fly-away so it requires a lot of work to get it to style. I used to perm and because my hair is so fine it started to do some serious damage and I was advised to choose one, color or perm; the color won out. It will soon be white all on it's own with out any help from a bottle but until that time it's fun to play. nancia I think it would be great fun to do some faux pieces - I love the lavender and light blue colors - my daughter-in-law's sister wears them all the time. One of my girlfriends - she's 68 - stays very current and trendy with style - she likes wearing feathers and beads in her hair.

Hope you had a fun evening out at the symphony nancia - what a fun way to spend an evening.

Well, here it goes. First off, we had a good time. We did have some.....challenges. I got a run in my pantyhose putting them on. My dress has these loops at the waist. The halter straps you see in the picture are in a braid down my back, then separate, go through the loops at the waist, then tie in the back. Well, when I had the dress altered, they didn't do a good job of tacking down the loop on the left side, so when I went to put the dress on, one side of the loop came loose. It took time to find a safety pin, more time to get it not too terribly obviously put into place, and then my boyfriend was freaking out a bit about not being able to get his cummerbund to sit right because of his shape. After 15 minutes, I finally convinced him to just leave it off. We got to the 1 hour pre-dinner reception 45 minutes late, but it was a small space and crowded, so 15 minutes was plenty. Dinner was fabulous, the speeches were long with a few giggles thrown in, and we were done about 10pm. We mingled a bit, took a few couples pictures, then went for a couple drinks at the hotel bar with my boyfriend's boss (who is also his best friend) and his wife, which we never get to do. The sad part is, my favorite part of my outfit was my shoes, and I don't have a picture on here to share! I was sitting there during the speeches, when they got boring, looking at my pretty shoes, lol. I may have to share a picture of them too! :D

[ATTACH=CONFIG]398016[/ATTACH]

thanks, dabbler. it was fun for sure. had some bbq, supposedly texan, but unlike any i had in texas. still very tasty. love brisket and ribs. lol. i am a huge fan of tex-mex!

geez, dusty'smom, you snuck in while i was still typing! you look great! now get a picture of your shoes. i LOVE shoes. passed that on to my daughter-- little did i know how expensive that was going to be!! her dad still doesn't understand the phenomenon of females and shoes! years ago i used to say i bought shoes because i couldn't make them. still don't know how to make them, and i still love buying them! time to figure out dinner and walk the dogs.

have a good night everyone!

Dustysmomma, you look fabulous and I too want to see a pic of your shoes. Glad your evening went well. And I love your hair color. I heard on the radio today that a woman spends a year out of her life putting on makeup. I am glad I have had that year for quilting because I have enever worn makeup. Gave up wearing lipstick because it was nicer to have DH kiss me and not have to worry about lipstick in the way. Still feel that way to this day. :-) So I just grow older and grayer with each passing year. Would rather spend money for something I want than on coloring my hair. I do splurge on perms, though. I too, have hair straight as a string. I need to get my SHDS item quilted and then will be ready to send off to swapmate. Hope to get it finished by next weekend or for sure the 8th of March...which by the way is our 45th anniversary! :-) Lucky me!

photo of me
 

Just returned home from my daughter's - she had me out for a bbq'd hamburger dinner; I took my camera along so she could snap a photo of my new hair cut/color (I'm not photogenic). Here goes - this is me - I'll be celebrating my 51st birthday in a few weeks.

happy anniversary, sandy! i know i'm early but i'll have forgotten by the 8th. i made chili for supper. it will be better tomorrow, but it hit the spot tonight. it must be cold outside 'cause the dogs are doing a quick turn around. saves me from having to take 'em for a walk, and stoop to scoop. i have a bad habit of losing my balance when i lean way over and it's hard to get up-- too much gravity holding me down. it seems to be particularly strong here== the gravity. we must be close to the sun here.

hey, dabbler, cute cut and great color! you look great!

Dusty - I love the color of your hair - I just heard on TV last week that red hair is becoming more and more rare all the time - I think it was Dr. Oz - I was home sick for a few days with the nasty flu and was able to watch some of the afternoon programs. You look beautiful - the green really compliments your coloring.

Thank you ladies! That's not my natural red. I wish! I wanted something different this time though. I emailed myself a pic of the shoes from my phone this morning, but yahoo mail isn't behaving this morning, so I can't even check to see if it made it. Have to wait until this evening.

I don't know where the redhead shortage is, but it's not in Auburn, AL! At my last job, I worked with 3 redheads, and I work with 2 where I work now. There seems to be a concentration of us lefties here too! :)

DustysMamma, you look beautiful! Dabbler, I LOVE your hair!! I am letting mine grow a little bit LOL.

Well I lived thru the blizzard that never was. We did lose electricity for a day and a half but we are back up and running now, thanks the Lord.


I'm a leftie! dustysMomma you look amazing, I love that shade of green on red heads.

Dabbler123 I love the color and cut, I have never been brave enough to go that short, I have been close, but not quite.

Thank you ladies! As promised, here are the fabulous shoes! Aren't they just the most beautimous sparklies you've ever seen? They're so pretty on too! And here's the best part....they don't hurt my feet! After I broke my foot/ankle in 2006, then had foot surgery in August, I thought I'd never find comfortable heels of any kind again!

Sikesjj, lefties gotta stick together :)

Dabbler, I love your new "do"!!!

OK, time to go get some sewing in! I worked 11 hours today and them came home & did "the L word which must not be spoken" so I think I deserve some me time!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]398345[/ATTACH]

The shoes are fabulous. Probably make you want to wear them around the house just 'because'. Hope you have an occasion to wear them again. Plus the table runner they are sitting on is really nice! Dabbler, I love your hair style and you are so pretty. Thanks for being brave enough to post a picture. I will have DH take one of me one day when my hair looks halfway decent. Don't hold your breath. I am looking forward to sending off my table runner to my swap partner. Wish she would post more on here but I did see her profile so have an idea about her. I found a perfect little extra thing to stick in with her mystery home decor item so hope she likes it. Just need to get binding on it and hopefully can do that by the weekend. Love seeing everyones posts and pictures.

Hey Dabbler you look great and happy 51!

DMomma you look great, but I want to see those shoes.

Thanks! Oh I'm sure I'll find some excuse to wear them. :) The fabulous runner is the one I received from Kiffie2413 from Anastasia's winter themed runner swap. It's still adorning my kitchen table until it finally feels springy out, then I'll flipsy-do and we'll have this instead:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/members...957-390074.JPG

I think it is always nice when a table runner can do double duty! Thanks for sharing the picture.

Thanks everyone for the nice compliments about my hair style; I've seen a few photos of others on the board but we are a smaller group so hopefully others will post a photo - it's fun to put a face with a name.

Love those shoes - wish I could find and wear dress shoes - the Lord blessed me with a large frame and big understanding - there isn't a lot for me to choose from as most shoe manufacturer's stop at size 10 and that just won't work for me; my baby girl has the same issue trying to find beautiful shoes.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

i was in ross (dress for less) and they had a few pairs up to size 12. if you know a cross dresser, ask him where he gets his shoes. i know in dallas... planning any trips?

Nordstrom carries shoes up to womens' size 14.

Pleaser is a line of shoes that caters to the larger foot (and transgender population) and does have some 'non-stage worthy' shoes as well. You can find many from them on Amazon/Endless.com.

nancia thanks for the tip on the cross dresser - how do you know of such establishments - unfortunately I have lived such a sheltered life in our little hamlet in SE MN that I haven't been exposed to anyone that is a cross dresser. If I want something beautiful I have to travel to the Cities and visit a specialty shoe shop - they just cost more so you need to be certain it's a need and not just a trendy want. Not traveling south any time soon so Dallas is out. Tennis shoes, sandles and work boots - thank goodness I never got bit by the shoe bug.

Different topic - looking for suggestions pro/con

This morning while doing a little ironing before work I jambed up the steam button and now need to replace my iron;
suggestions are welcome.

Thank you for your advice/help.

2 thoughts on irons--1) black and decker steam iron about $10 at wally world and every place they sell irons. very hard to kill!
and 2) dry iron about $30. no steam but a wonderful iron for fusing applique' and any time you don't want to shrink the fabric while pressing. available on amazon and also home depot.

i have NOT lived a sheltered life. when i get to heaven there should be very little left of me. already i tell people i'm like diet no-caffiene coke. look the same on the outside but nothing real inside. lol. my dearest friend is a florist and i have worked retail when not teaching. both are prime gay fields. i have been invited to drag shows and gay bars and had a blast! if it's not illegal i'll try it. i'm hoping this is my last time through reincarnation roulette. but if not i look forward to doing it all again!

I have the hardest time finding shoes. These were just meant to be. I don't have the shoe bug though, that's my mother. She can wipe out a Payless shoe store and not think twice if she has "mad money" to spend. I hate buying shoes though. It takes me half the summer to find sandals I like, and even then I usually end up getting them in Europe. I do love my Harley-Davidson boots though. I'm always on the lookout for another pair exactly like them, but I think they're discontinued now.

OK, off to sew. I'm not working tonight and that's final!

I have some used Harley Boots that I will sell you if its what you want, they are either 10.5 or 11.

I tried to upload a sneak peek but he site wouldn't let me, but here are some hints: lots of batiks and the zip code totals 18. I will try later to upload a picture.

OOHHH sikesjj that could be me. I love batiks and my zip is 18.

:p hi ladies and gents-- well im doing lots of hand work on my home decour, and well u like purple, so it has purple and flwoers, and its pretty, added some extras and lots of unique hand work and love in every stitch, and wishing you good joy in your home when u get it, shoudl be finished tommorow, not alot left, no peeks yet, want to have something to look that makes sense lol, it could be you , hummmmmmm

Lovngrandma, they could be for my Jayla, her favorite color is purple. I am liking the hints and sneak peeks!

I'm trying to figure out how to do a sneak peek without giving away the project completely, lol.

Here is a sneak pic.

[attach=config]399078[/attach]

Here is a pic a few weeks ago, Hubby and I were going out on a date for the first time since December. And I don't know why it puts them in sideways, they are the correct direction when I load them.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]399079[/ATTACH]

BIG FAVOR TO ASK! Could yall look at the followng link and tell me which quilt to make, I am a beginner/novice quilter. One of my husband's coworkers is from Mexico and they are having a baby boy this June. I have been looking for something that speaks of their heritage and then I found these books with the quilt that goes with it. Please advise, thank you in advance!!!!!!

http://quarterinchpublishing.com/qua...lishingwebsite

The Tortilla Quilt will probably be the easiest. The Tamale Quilt would be my 2nd suggestion. I love Confetti Eggs, but it would probably be too challenging for a beginner unless you're comfortable with applique.

OK, we're off to the movies! Jack the Giant Killer!

I like the tamale one it's a double T block. You wouldn't have to buy the pattern just google it for a free pattern and make any number of blocks you want, depending on how big you want to make it. Then just sew the blocks together, put a sashing on it, bind it and you're done. If you make 12" finished blocks, 3 across and 4 down,12 total you'll have a quilt 36X48 the add sashing , plenty large enough for a baby quilt.

I too, am loving the sneak peeks of the projects. Also, thanks for a pic of you sykesjj....even if you are sideways still pretty. The countdown is on for us. Hurray. Glad to know everyone is clicking along and will be fun to see what we all receive. I have not been able to get IE to connect to internet today. Hope it is only them working on something and nothing wrong with my computer. We are right in the middle of genealogy and don't want to have to transfer files, let alone buy a new computer. Happy project completion to everyone.

Whew! We don't want to talk about countdowns for another week or so yet, lol. I'll be inboxing anyone I haven't touched base with lately over the weekend. So, if you haven't posted a progress report or emailed me lately, now's the time! :)

I thought I was going to have to go work on one of my bookkeeping jobs this weekend, but I can't get hold of him, so this may turn out to be a quilting weekend! I'm 2 steps from putting together Nancia's runner for Anastasia's swap, which I plan to finish either tonight or in the morning. I totally forgot to order my labels after Christmas, so I gotta get on that this weekend too. I may have them in time for this swap, but probably not in time for Nancia's runner's due date. Customlabels4u.com seems to have a decent deal, so we'll see. I'll get on it tomorrow.

hey, sikesjj, very pretty! is that beautiful child in your avatar your beautiful daughter jayla?

I'm back! long few past days but here I am. Lovely hair do's ladies and for those of us who live life sideways love the pic too :) so young looking all of you. My description of my now not so ash blonde more dead field mouse color if you asked me with skunk streaking in the front middle. stunning I know. I have so missed sewing havent done it since Monday and when I get enough sleep in I will take it up again maybe by Sunday. nap and I need a nap I think right now but all went well with the angioplasty and I should be able to rock and roll like normal :) TADA!

I hope you all missed me tremendously and are so thrilled to know trouble is back in town. Nancia I think one is never too old for feathers or colored strips or peace signs if they like them. I am a fashion palate in my flannel plaid shirts and sweat pants and little leather loafers. I say knock em dead in whatever brings you joy. I find joy watching everyone else peacock up.

I hear Tracibug was planning on helping me out on getting home. Traci, thank you for such kind thoughts and willingness to assist a friend in need. I so much appreciate your sweet kindness. I drove there, wore out, did my hospital thing then dialysis wore me out, took one day to try to recover ha, then drove my weary rear end home. for those who are not in the know it is a three hour drive and I dont usually drive more than the four miles up the hill. so bay area traffic hell and me, when 80 is not good enough I say have at it. I am not playing this game yikes. getting old at 51 I guess. we have two lanes here on our highway. no stop lights in town. just not like it down there at all. dont miss it slightly.

sikesjj - you're a pretty lady; checked out your quilt patterns and like the tamale quilt best.