Vairy Exciting

I am a vairy lucky girl!

Look what I bought myself last week:

Yes! It is a 1963 Corvair Monza Convertible and her name is ROXY!

She is fully restored and ready to roll. Fiona (her sister the PTCruiser) is a wee bit jealous, but she'll be okay.

She is quite the dish - look at her lovely interior!

A few details... like the delightful AM/FM converter? Spiffy!

And where is the gear shifter you say? Right there in the middle - see the little knob? Just to the right and down from the ignition? Just RNDL... no park!

This is all The Husband's fault... if we hadn't taken the Cougar to a car show recently I never would have seen her. Once I did - it was all over - the obsession began and she had to join the family.

For the other car enthusiasts out there - she's air cooled and her aluminum flat six rear engine will indeed take me up over 65 mph (not that I've tried - that would be illegal in my state). The Corvair also boasts Chevrolet's first mass produced unibody construction and fully independent suspension design.

Here is what Chevrolet had to say about Corvairs when they introduced them back in 1960.... (Just forget every thing Ralph Nader said - he was just a bit confused about things and they debunked his "unsafe at any speed" theory long ago when the US Government's National Highway Safety Administration actually certified it safe - the only car ever to receive that honor...). Of course there were a few modifications by '63, the convertible top for one, but you get the idea and seriously, who can resist a vintage video!

No seat belts though. All you people who didn't believe me when I said seat belts used to be an option? I now own a car without them - so there! The Husband is insisting that change. We'll see.

Can you say "Mid-life Crisis?"

I'm vairy excited!

Happy trails!

Great Strides 2009

It was time again for the Great Strides Walk to Support Cystic Fibrosis research back on May 2, 2009.

Went to Toledo again to walk with Breanna and her sister Mandi pictured above, and many friends shown below! Thanks to Mandi's Alpha Phi sisters and other friends from BGSU who came to support her as well as Bre's gang from Sylvania.

Mom and Dad were there too.

I did not send out any emails asking for donations this year... But I believe you can still support the cause of you're interested. Follow this link.

NEED A LITTLE INSPIRATION? CHECK OUT THESE FAST FACTS ABOUT CYSTIC FIBROSIS FROM THE DETROIT CHAPTER WEBSITE AND REMEMBER YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

About 1000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year.

Of the 30,000 Americans with cystic fibrosis over 900 live in the state of Michigan.

Currently, there are more than 30 potential CF therapies in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s drug discovery and development pipeline; 50 years ago there were none.

Today, more than 45 percent of all people with CF in this country are 18 years or older.

In the 1950’s, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school. Now, due to advances in research, many people with CF expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

Everyone is important - So support your own causes however you can!

For an Alpha Phi Girl!

My Niece Mandi went off to Bowling Green State University last fall and I was so excited that she decided to participate in Sorority Recruitment!

Now I've mostly talked your ear off about Chi Omega around here - but I am all about the Panhellenic Sisterhood in every way.

Although her mother, who is my sister Diana, and I both pledged Chi Omega, everyone finds her own place in the Greek system.

And Amanda pledged Alpha Phi!

I wanted to show her how excited I was not to have to share any of my owl beads (just kidding!) so I whipped up this bracelet with some of the Alpha Phi symbols. Can you see the ivy leaves, forget-me-nots, and lily of the valley? Their colors are silver and bordeax, so they are in there too!

I'm very proud of you Miss Mandi and all you are doing to contribute to your chapter and Greek Life on Campus!

Graduation

So yes! The Boy did graduate - cum laude as a matter of fact! With praise indeed.

He earned a bachelor of fine art in the fine arts, with a minor in art history.

Do you suppose we have to stop calling him The Boy now?

Two hundred forty nine students received their diplomas.

For those who could not attend - here are some images of the day...

The official announcements (yes I bought them - no they're not mailed yet! any other silly questions?)

The marquee at the beautiful Ohio Theater in downtown Columbus, Ohio

These next three are lifted from the CCAD web site...

Inside the theater, an amazingly beautiful place

Commencement speaker Ed Razek, president and chief marketing officer, brand & creative services for Limited Brands - Gloria gave him an "A", John an "F" so that's about right for our family!

It's art school - you should have seen the "amendments" to the regalia!

Walking across the stage to accept his diploma (the out of focus shot should lead you back to where I'm taking the photos!)

The students are ready to be presented

Proud Mommy and The Boy

Gramma Gloria and Grampa Bill are here. So are John, Aunt Diana, Mandi, Aunt Debbie, Megan, and Morgan - but we did not take nearly enough pictures!

A quick stop at The Show where Ian's "In Her Blue Chair Rocking" was one of the senior pieces selected for display.

Then we're off to Buca di Beppo for a grand luncheon

A wonderful, happy day!

February Escape!

Okay - the jury is in: Shutterfly's slide show program and I do not get along. Gave up messing with it. I have dumped the broken links... If you are an expert, clue me in on the secret!

I told you I was distracted this Spring doing lots of interesting things. Here's a flashback for you to one of the things which kept me away from blogging.

A visit to the Craft Farm! (Most of these snaps are Patti's... she had the sensibility to actually take pictures unlike me who was mostly confused!) This place was awesome - and highly recommended. Space to scrap, meals included, comfortable beds, space to scrap, a hot tub, good times, and did I mention space to scrap?!

Click here to view the rest of "Craft Farm"

We had an awesome time - in addition to non-stop fun and scrapbooking, we also visited a local spa for massages and pedicures. Heaven! How long until we go again? I'm ready!

Here is the first of the projects I worked on that weekend... A blast from the past: Chi Omega's at The University of Toledo! This is one of the projects Edwina and I started at Scrapfest last Fall. See that post for all the details on supplies!

Click here to view the rest of "Chi O Girls"

Another project from Scrapfest, Chi Omega's on Spring Break in 1986 - yikes!

Click here to view the rest of "Marco Island 1986"

Last but not least of the projects is the completed Hambly acrylic mini-book. Still one of my favorites, even more so because now it contains some of Ian's sculptures! Each page is shown twice to allow you to see the cool effect of the acrylic pages, but also allow you to focus on the detail of each page.

Click here to view the rest of "Hambly Mini-Book"

I also cut out about 1000 owl pieces for a future project... I'll share when it's complete!

My first attempt at Shutterfly slideshows - kind of irritating to figure out - but IF they work - pretty cool! (If your google reader saved the first "attempt" - oops!)

Enjoy!

True Americana: Annabelle's

Took the Cougar for a cruise up to Annabelle's Diner in Mentor last evening. Lucky us - the Mentor Fourth of July fireworks display was almost right next door! They put on a great display.

Annabelle's hosts classic car cruises every weekend and we've had fun checking out the other cool cars and meeting new friends.

The restaurant itself is a fifties style diner - with fun decor. The cheeseburgers and onion rings are the best! I really need to order a Chocolate Milkshake one of these nights...

You can see the set up is very retro.

There are nifty jukebox stations at every table. One of these days I'm gonna drop my quarter in and select "Running Bear" by Johnny Preston. Reminds me of staying at Grandma Carpenter's house - where I would make her play the record over and over again. She also taught me how to make mustard pickles. Wish I had some now.

Memories - Good times!

They had a live band too - lots of 50's and 60's hits... Even played some Patsy Cline. Another personal favorite.

Maybe you should come cruising with us next time!

Independence

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

...just a taste, in case you forgot what it said. Full text here for future reference.

Enjoy the day hard fought for us!

Because we needed a new hobby, seriously

It has been John's wish for some time to acquire a classic car - the target has changed over time, but he finally took the plunge.

We welcomed home his new friend the 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 back in April.

It's very race with his 390 big block engine (hush - no I don't know exactly what that means - but it sounds cool - yes?)

And yes, if I had shot this picture in the dark you would have seen the awesome sequential tail lights blinking goodbye as we made our get-a-way...

More car posts to come!

Kazuri: Small and Beautiful

Spent another awesome evening last night at Embellish in Rocky River. (Don't faint that I have actually made a timely post - but I'm as shocked as you dear reader!)

Now that I am beginning to have the hang of this jewelry making thing, I decided to join in on all the fun that happens the first Wednesday of each month at Club Embellish. These ladies (and I only say ladies because that's who was there - I'm sure they would let the boys play too!) are very talented! Lot's of cool projects were shared.

My secondary reason for going was to see the Trunk Show for Kazuri Beads that Laura had brought in for us. A very cool fair trade project and luscious, gorgeous, sumptuous beads! Here is the fact sheet that they provided us to tell the story...

I'm all about beading and women helping women so I jumped in with both feet!

I've been inspired by some of the color study items I've seen in Stringing Magazine lately, so I put this bracelet together. The Kazuri beads are strung along with 4mm sterling silver beads as separators. I think I really like the way it came out.

Here is a necklace I made from one of the clay focal beads and three strands of Zulugrass™ beads, which were also available at the trunk show. Zulugrass is another natural, handmade item created by the people of the Maasai in Kenya.

Matching earrings as well, and you can really see the texture of the Zulugrass in this shot. I think the color of the Zulugrass is called Lady Sunbird.

If you are in the Cleveland Area, you should definitely hop in the car and check out the items available for the next few days during this special event. I believe Laura mentioned she may be adding some of the beads to the inventory of the store on a regular basis, but there is no guarantee you'll be able to get them later!

You can also check out the Small and Beautiful Beads website for more information and background on Kazuri Beads. Tamie Simpson was great to work with and provided lots of support with making bead selections and with project ideas! The website is nice - but you've got to see and feel these beads to truly appreciate them.

Three projects completed in one night? Actually four if you count another necklace I finished and will share later... A new record in productivity! I deem Club Night a success!

Happy beading!