Chatbug Karen

I went to the hairdressers on Friday to have my hair highlighted. I don’t know if it is called highlighted any longer. I used to get my hair highlighted by having a plastic bag put on my head and the hair pulled through tiny holes. Man did that hurt! Now days it is done by putting color on strands of hair and wrapping the strands in foil. Maybe it is called having my hair foiled. Hmm? I am not sure.

Anyway, I had my hair done and it turned out so dark. It makes the feature of my eyebrows and eyes stand out so much more. I am not sure I like it. I am going to have to find out how to remove dark circles under eyes because they really show up now. Oh the hazards of trying to beautify. LOL I think I shall learn to “get over it”.

I am having a great time on vacation. Yes! We are on the road and enjoying every minute of it. I’ll admit, I am missing my dogs but other than that, it is nice to be traveling.

I did a lot to prepare for this vacation. In fact, I almost think the prep work is the reason we don’t take more vacations. There are the bills to pay ahead, the iphone warranty to check on, the dog kennel reservations, etc., etc. Now that we are actually on the road, I can breathe a sigh of relief and watch the world go by through the window of the car.

Have you taken a vacation lately? If so, where did you go?

Fall weather brings change doesn’t it? My friends have been talking about all the work they have been doing to get their clothes ready for cold weather. I am lucky that I have two closets so I don’t have to carry my winter clothes up from the basement. That was a dreaded chore each year.

I had planned on cutting down all the dead plants in my flower beads but it rained this weekend. I got to sew instead of clean! Yahoo!

My sister has been trying to talk me into helping her work at a craft show. Her pleading would out do the best recruitment agencies training as she explains all the benefits of my being at this craft show. She even offered that her husband would bring us soup beans while we worked! I’m not sure that is a good recruitment offer. LOL I’m more interested in apple dumplings.

I bought these two racks from a local merchant and I think they make great purse displays.

I saw this fun activity on a friend’s blog and decided to try it for myself. It says on the website that it is cheaper than therapy. I believe that. Instead of worrying about bills and how to reduce body fat, I try to focus on the good things. It would be easy to become concerned about things to the point of getting an ulcer but that does no one any good. Here is what the test determined about me.

You Are Peaceful

You are feeling very serene and centered. You’re content with your life. You have a clear head and a peaceful spirit. You are relaxed enough to appreciate what you have. You are able to let go of your fears. You are trusting and generous toward others. You live a quiet, mellow life. It may not be dramatic, but it’s very fulfilling.

I was in a panic last week. I was in the middle of making purses when my sewing machine went on the fritz. Luckily, I purchased it from a local dealer and was able to have their repairman look at my machine. I am not sure how it happened but a small piece in the bobbin holder was bent and kept me from putting the bobbin in correctly. It only took a minute and he had my machine working again. Sigh of relief!

One of the ladies in our quilt guild showed us how to make cute little coin purses using an old tape measure. The tape is cut into pieces and used as tension rods at the top of each purse. The purses open by pulling on the prairie points sewn on each side of the purse and snap closed from the tension of the tape. I made mine using christmas decor fabric. I am thinking I can sell them as gift card holders.

I went to a baby shower yesterday. I have not been to a baby shower in a long time and suddenly I have been to two! My friend’s children are having babies. A few years ago it was one wedding after another. Now it is time for baby showers. They are so much fun.

We played the dreaded shower games. Do you know what an elephant baby is called? How about an eel? I had no idea so I did not win the prize. I got 12 right out of 20 questions so I felt pretty good. The girl that won is still in high school so I figure she has just learned those things. My brain has forgotten a few things. LOL

It was fun seeing my friend’s family. The men made an appearance when the food was brought out. The new dad is feeling well prepared for baby engineering jobs as his mom equipped him with a package for the new dad. It contained rubber gloves, a face mask and goggles. He was laughing so hard when he opened the package. He is thinking of going into baby engineering recruitment! I hope he is still as enthusiastic about his new role after a few sleepless nights.

The mom-to-be received so many cute gifts. Her colors are brown and pink and she received two quilts in those colors. This was her third baby shower so I think she should be ready!

I have a smart sister. While I have been busy sewing fall pillows, she has been busy making bags for Christmas sales. I should take her idea and get my Christmas fabric out too. The best fat burner I can think of is to get busy sewing and stay out of the M & M’s my mom brought over.

My sister is getting ready to put her purses in a local craft show. Christmas items sell really well this time of year. Look at the pretty bags she has been making.

How many of you think your kids have to have homemade costumes? My kids had those cheapo ones from Kmart. My daughter was the cutest little Glo Worm and not a bit concerned with over the counter diet pills that work. When they got older, they used their imaginations and made their own costumes. Yes, I did buy capes and face makeup. My son was Urkle one year. Do you remember Urkle? If you’re looking for a quick and easy costume for your kids, Jo-Ann Fabric Stores has simple ideas for no sew costumes.

Last week, I went for my annual check up with my doctor. How many of you do that? I know that many of us worry about weight loss supplements and eating healthy foods but how many of us have routine check ups? October is breast cancer awareness month. Please, go to the breast cancer awareness website and click on the icon. A simple click provides mammograms for those who cannot afford one.

I love nostalgia. I enjoy visiting antique stores and getting all stuffed up in my head while looking at old record albums and dolls. I have recently started looking for vintage buttons to use on some of the purses I make. While looking, I have noticed many 8 track tapes sitting all by themselves. Do people ever listen to them just for the fun of it? With all the new MP3 players, iPod devices and other tiny players, it would be hard to go back to using something huge and bulky. One thing that will always be a collector’s dream item is cars.

Did you read about the couple that made a Radio Flyer Car? The retired couple spent 11 months working on their dream vehicle and now they are having fun turning heads as they drive it around the streets of Anchorage, Alaska. The Red Radio Flyer Wagon was a favorite of many during my childhood.