Country Living Fair, Columbus, Ohio ----------Part One

We couldn't have had better weather for the fair this year.  It was sunny for the most part cool in the shade and warm in the sun.  I don't know who this little one is but she was having a good ole time.

 

 

 

Well, there was a few clouds.  They moved the "Sisters on the Fly" vintage trailers up front this year.  I went in two of them and of course they were adorable.  Sorry, those pictures were taken on the first day when my camera left it's memory card at home.  I went the first day alone.  It was crowded on Friday.  Sometimes hard to get in to see the booths.  Lots of moms and strollers and double strollers.  I stayed about four hours until I got tired and knew I had a long walk back to my car.  There is lots of walking but so much to see.

 

Look who I found on the second day.  It's Viv of Viv on a Whim.  I found out that she and her friends were coming and I asked if I could crash their party.  It was so much fun meeting her in person.  Amazing how you feel you know someone already when you have read each others blogs for 4 years.  I started to crop the picture but noticed her friends were in the picture.  (Kelly, Nurse H., Kelly's mom,  Marlene, and Jen and Jan were taking the pictures. They were so sweet to let me tag along and I enjoyed being with them all. 

 

 

 

 

This is Marlene from New Jersey, Viv's friend.  All these fellows were lining up to get their pictures taken with her.  She's so cute and a hoot.

 

 

 

 

 

This is Jan, Viv's daughter, Jen.  Can you tell?  This was one of the first booths.  They crafted hand carved birds. They had lots of people looking at their creations.  I bought something the first day that I will show you later.

 

 

Here are a couple more pictures from that booth.

 

 

 

 

 

This was on the top of their tent.  The birds were hanging on the ladder.  I wanted to get crop this closer but then you couldn't see all the birds.

 

 

 

The rest of the pictures today are from the "Earth Angels".  They have one big tent with all their artists.  My oh my.......savings my pennies for next year.  I couldn't get over the cuteness under this tent......esp. the bears.

 

 

This was a huge painting.  It was whimsy and beautiful.

 

 

 

Viv, met up with her artist friend.  (Valerie Weberpal)  This cutie made incredible skirts, jumpers  and vests made out of boiled wool.  She said she sold out of her skirts the first day.  She also made the cutest critters.  Viv got a pumpkin doll and Marlene got an elephant.

 

 

 

 

Okay, on with the bears.

 

 

 

Thump thump, goes my heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some other critters by Lettie, of Lettie's Bears.  When I was taking pictures I told her they were for my blog.  She said as long as I wasn't going to reproduce them.  Are you kidding, no way could I.

 

 

 

 

Look at those eyes.

 

 

 

 

I think I was taking this picture of the tag.  Lettie writes a cute little story on her bears' tags.

 

 

My favorite of all.  I actually have a found bear puppet in a dark brown that I think is Steiff.  It is mohair like this one.  Mine has been washed a few times and it still looks perfect.  Love the color and the hat on Letties.  I think my bear needs a friend, don't you?

 

 

 

 

Check out this truck.  Swoooooonnning.  Look closely and see the bear and the trees, and the doggie.  I didn't even see him til after I took the picture.  He looks just like my Piper.

 

 

 

This bear in the frame has

a little page that says Dec. 25.

 

 

These bears were in empty clock faces.

 

 

 

 

Oh Dear, this is too cute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This house was from another artist under the tent.  Love how these are displayed.  I was taking the picture against the light but I like that you can see through.

 

 

 

 

A close up of one of the groups.

 

 

Okay, that's it for today.  Next post more pictures of artist wares.  Even if you don't buy one of everything, it is so fun just looking at everything.  Oh, I did buy a couple of things.......later.

Country Living Fair

The Country Living Fair starts tomorrow in Columbus, Ohio.  Anyone going.  I hope to go tomorrow and on Saturday.  The shopping, lectures, food, atmosphere are so much fun.  If you are going, let me know and I will try to meet you and say hi.  The weather is supposed to be perfect.  (It doesn't look so great today but tomorrow is another day)

Today is 9-11, a date we won't forget.  We all remember where we were and how we felt.  I know how sad I was for everyone that searched for their loved ones hoping they would be found.  The hospitals waiting on survivors that didn't come.  It was just a perfect weather day here in Ohio.  I had my pre-school in my downstairs away from the TV.  One of my moms told me about what had happened.  My son stayed home from school that day.  He recorded the TV and brought it to me to see.  After my kids left, I was to meet a friend for lunch.  We decided to go ahead and meet.  The first time I saw what had happened on TV was there.  It was a sports bar/restaurant with giant TV's.  Oh my, that was just hard to take.  My friend and I still meet on that date if we can.  The day of 9-11 my friend was 8 months pregnant.  The next year the baby went with us.  I remember the lights going off and both of us jumped to our feet in fear.  We can't meet today but we texted "Thinking of you."
I remember being at church the following Sunday.  Both my husband and I broke down in tears sobbing.  Our son was in the military stationed in Hawaii.  We never thought our son would serve during a war.  He spent two years in the Middle East.  Two of the longest years ever.  Our emotions were always on edge.  Thanks to God that he returned to us.  I must say that his current government job is just as dangerous.  I am spending the night with his family tonight for that reason.
God bless all our soldiers and first responders.  They are the real heroes.

I wanted to make this a positive post since my last one was such a downer.  Sorry, but it was important to share.
I seem to be getting "signs" today that are meant for me.  Geez, I'm not one that can predict the future, believe me, but I feel like there are signs out there.  Not all of the time but just sometimes.

So, I turn on the new Meredith show for the first time today.  What's up first is a little boy that had H1N1.  It ravished his body and he had to have 77 surgeries including a kidney transplant from his mother.  He survived, thank goodness.  Remember back, my dear cousin died of H1N1.  I am taking this as a sign to remind you to get your flu shot.  I know, there are some of you that refuse to do that.....don't send me hate comments, please.  Just think of your families if you should get this horrible thing.

Okay, now there is a balloon artist on her show.  What the heck.......that's what makes me think that sign was for me.

A few thoughts about Hollywood........I can't believe Meredith is on the same time as the View.  Hmmmmm, bet that didn't go over well.  I can't believe they let Jennie and Sherry go at the same time.  I never liked Jennie before, but grew to really like her on the View.  It was just plain sad that Sherry was sent packing.  Now, about Joan Rivers.............I know she was an icon but I always thought of her as mean spirited.  As far as they endoscopy center being under fire about the procedure they did on her,  when you have an upper endoscopy they take biopsies.  I have had many of these tests including biopsies of my esophagus and stomach.  I think if the doctor saw something concerning,  the biopsy "probably" should have been done.  I said "should" have.  If Joan had cancer of the vocal cords, she would have a terrible time accepting that diagnosis.  Okay, just my thoughts.

Remember the last showing we had........that we were sure the people didn't come.  I don't know if our realtor is just trying to make us feel better...........BUT that person supposedly wants to make an offer on the contingency of their house selling.  What?  I have a hard time believing it, since she only looked once.....but it does boost the moral.  Sorry for all the ........  I think all of my communications in writing has left me.  Anyhoooooo, we have another showing Saturday.  Not the same person.  So, why am I sitting here doing this when I need to get things done if I want to go to the Fair.  You loose your "let's do this" after awhile, but this could be the one.  I want to just say, if they call for a second showing we will really shine things up.

I got new glasses.  Yeah, finally.  I was afraid to go to the cheapie places or those advertised on TV,  I think my eyes are important.  I did choose cheaper frames.  I mostly need the for close up but like the transition lenses.  Easier for my eyes to adjust to close up and far away.

I also had things down to my little BUG this week.  She has had a lot of new things lately.  I covered the dent with a magnetic flower that I had.  It looks cute instead of a boo boo.

Last but not least.  Tomorrow is our 44th anniversary.  How can I even be that old.  No big plans unfortunately.  So ready to take a trip.  Hopefully when this house thing is over we can.

Okay, off to clean.  The to transport our youngest to counseling.  He witnessed a domestic abuse at a store this week and it really set him off.  When you have been abused it doesn't take much to remind you.  Then off to a flag football game for M.  Then out to dinner with the grands and DIL.  And then a sleepover for Grammy.  And we know what tomorrow is..........yeah the Fair.
Have a great week-end.  I will share pictures with you the next time.

Just what's happening in this little village

This beautiful picture was taken by John Rossignal           , he takes amazing photos.  I have to find the one he took this week.  He is now using those drone cameras.  He always has a way of picking up color.

When something happens in this village it hurts all of us.  This beautiful wedding took place two years ago this week.  The families  are so proud.  Look at the beautiful bride and her sweet husband.  He has his arm around his mother.  Doesn't she look proud of her son.

Here is the groom now.  Yes, it's a casket.  Are you thinking I lured you in to this post.  I did.  I want to get the point across.  He died two days before their anniversary.  He had a brilliant future ahead of him.  He was a pilot in the Air Force  He just had his first interview for his dream job, a pilot for Delta.  He flew all over the country and abroad.  Guess how he died.  He was changing a tire roadside when a distracted driver hit and killed him and almost his wife.  She was able to jump out of the way .  (You are probably saying what the heck are you doing posting this)  Sorry but this needs to be told and told again.  You can barely see his mother at the bottom left of the photo.  You can almost feel her sadness.  His dad and his brother are carrying the casket.  What you can't see are about 200 men in flight suits behind the formal air force soldiers.  They were all over town all day.  PLEASE TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO PUT AWAY THEIR CELL PHONES WHEN DRIVING.  Also any other distraction isn't worth doing this to a bride, family, friends and community.  The driver was 19.  Imagine how she feels.  And poor Alyssa, the bride, witnessing this.  She spoke at his funeral just for a minute.  She thanked him for being her best friend and the love of her life, and for treating her like the princess she was.  So true.  Later in the day the kids and I were walking into their house and heard something so scary.  It was loud and we couldn't find the source.  All of a sudden there was a fighter jet directly above us.  I'm not kidding.  Very close.  My grands live on a hilltop above the cemetery.  I knew right away it was for Nathan.  I have know Alyssa since she was a baby.  I am friends with her mom.  I first met Nathan when he played t -ball with our son when he was five.  Both the mom and the mother in law work at our doctor's office.  PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH THOSE YOU LOVE.

To add some sunshine, I will move on.

here is Mabel on the playground the first day that I went to pick her up from school.  So fun seeing her at school.  She goes to all day kindergarten.  I haven't started back to volunteering at the school yet.  The 2 second grade teachers have asked if I would come again.  I would love to but also be there for the kids third grade teachers and now Mabel's.  Hmmm, that's five teacher.  I had some other pictures of Mabel and M. together and then downtown after they ate ice cream and were all goofy.  M. erased them.  I told him that didn't make me happy.  He said I would just put the pictures on Facebook.

 Her are my son and his wife at the opening of the exercise studio.  It has taken off like wildfire.  She has a wait list.  She uses the LaGree machines and has a franchise .  If you go back to the first picture the studio is on the other side of the trees on the left side of the blue awning.  Upstairs, up many stairs.  They have this one brick wall that is original to the building.

And here is Miss Mabel again.  This picture should have followed the school picture.  She is showing me her dance moves.  She just stated back to lessons.  She's doing three classes.  But the gymnastics is where she excels.  She is five and they moved her up to the 3rd grade level.  No wonder with her mom being a fitness instructor and a former cheerleader.  She even cheered for FSU and was on the homecoming court.  Does it look like they need a new laptop cover, hah.  That looks nasty.

Do you know her.  This is Amy Butler.  She lives in the same neighborhood where my kids do.  And, she has signed up for lessons at the studio. 

 Last but not least is Baby O.  She's the little one that I have watched for 1 1/2 years now.  Just one day/night a week.  I have met my match.  All my experience and education with children, this one baffles me.  Before her mom ever left this week she climbed onto the recliner and jumped up and flipped off the back of the chair on her head on the wood floor.  She held her breath and quit breathing for a moment.  She later had to go to ER as she acted funny.  Did it stop her from trying to do the same thing over and over again, no.  I get being impulsive and getting hurt but doing things intentionally over and over again after warnings, is just not good.
So I will leave you now.  Maybe the last of the clown pictures the next time.  See you next week.

Pie throwing/My silly friends/Lots of pics

Did you know that real pie throwing is almost a lost art.  Yes, really.  That's why activities like these are important for the future of clowning.  Take your mind off of scary movies and think about real clowns.  These are professional clowns, some are master clowns.  There is more to a pretty outfit and a red nose.  So much more.

Back to the pies........they aren't whipped cream.  They are whipped slices of soap.  Whipped cream causes a slippery mess and ruins clothes and makeup.

Lots of whipping.  I am sure it took over an hour til the whipped soap was perfect.

Then the pie shells were filled.  These are specially made foam pies.

Here is Bubba giving instructions.  How to throw and aim.  How to wipe from eyes as it can sting like crazy.

The clown throwing this pie was once Boss Clown for Ringling Brothers and still works with them.

They all lined up and the pies were thrown one at a time down the line.  Then the opposite side got their turn.

The clowns were told to weat their academy shirts and a red nose since this was covered by the newspaper and the TV station.

Scraps is always so sad.

This guy has to be 90.  He is a retired school teacher that travels to camp from Colorado each year. (Our camp is in Ohio).

This is Woody and his mom.  He is 14 and this was his second year.  His mom gives up her A/C and comfy home so that he can come to camp.  Let me tell you, he is an awesome kid.  You would think he was an adult.

This one is goofy.  She's rather chubby and did a skit about exercising.  She came out with a walker  She sat back on while exercising and then couldn't find her walker It was stuck to her behind when she walked off.  It was so funny.  You gotta use the gifts that you have.

Quanny.  He's a young man of 19.  Very nice helpful guy.  Seriously brown faces look great in clown makeup.  This of course, isn't his clown face.  He was posted before in makeup.

This guy is a paramedic and such a nice guy.  My Mabel fell for him as a person before makeup.

Here is Lewie, my favorite.  I'll show pictures of his show that he used my grandkids in.  They were the only littles at the show.  He has his own circus as Joey, the next guy.

A better picture of Happynow.  She has MS and sprained her ankle.  She didn't give up though. 

What a terrible picture.  Here is LuLu and Moi.  It was so hot that my glasses were sliding off my face.  But you can see I was having fun.  No pies in the face for me.

And to prove that the TV station was there.

There are many other areas of clowning covered at this camp.  You won't find courses on balloon twisting and face painting here.  It's all about character this camp. Movement, music, acting, skits, etc  It was a fun, hot, humid week.

 

My Kindle is back to working so I was able to post.  I got out yesterday but I am still dragging.  Doing nothing today.  I really really need to be careful what I eat.  Serious business.  This was a reoccurrence of what I have had lately.  Add a little pink eye and a drug reaction and it'll knock you out.  So glad that I have a patient hubby that is such a good caregiver and provider.  I'm very thankful for him.

So here's to moving forward slowly. 

HUGS

Sending you some HAPPY

Since sunflowers are such happy flowers, I am sending you some HAPPY for your holiday week-end.
I haven't been around much lately but hope to be back to normal again soon.  First clown camp and then a banner week for health issues.  Too many to even list.  I think I am finally rebounding, but not even sure about that.  But for a person that couldn't fall asleep for three weeks, I slept for 2 1/2 days. 
Even though my stomach hurt so bad, it was good to sleep.
With several sad events around here it is hard finding the "happy" that you know is out there.  Hopefully when I feel better it will be easier.
The littles are all doing well getting adjusted to school again  Two have been sick.  A lot of that happening so early.  It's been so hot and humid and dry.  We have had rain for a couple of days and that has been wonderful.
Another showing and we think another no show.  Hubby had to come home early to help me get out the door with Baby O. and the doggies.  Thats' three no shows in a row.   At least there has been three appointments, if you try hard to be positive.
So that's it.  I will be back as soon as I can with a better post.
Happy thought to all of you