Gimme a Kiss!

Rylie making friends with a rather big fish. Rylie has turned 6 years old and celebrated her birthday with a trip to the zoo this past weekend. The aquarium was made so that you can be at the same level as the fish inside. Amazingly beautiful!

Rylie's Snowman

 


First good snow of the year and Rylie has made another masterpiece! 

The Most Beautiful Big Red Dog!

 


Why do I carry this beautiful animal on my bag at work? Well, it was given to me by a very excited granddaughter at Christmas. Her Mom said she picked it out with her own money. It's a purse for Mamaw. I love it! Not just because that beautiful child thought of me, but I really use it. I can always spot my bag among the other 40 or so identical bags at work. I can place my lunch money, pictures of Rylie, of course for bragging sessions, and extra little things I often need (like paperclips). My "office" is truly all in my bag. I have a computer, notebooks, and lots and lots of "important stuff". But nothing is more special that looking down at that dog (especially when the days are tense) and realizing that my heart is right there. It always makes me smile. 

If you are having problems with viewing videos.......

I just received email from Heather (support person at You Tube Video site). She says that due to increased traffic and spikes in site activity, this has been affecting some video playback resulting in skips, pauses or choppiness. They are working to correct the problem. This is a free site that will upload videos for people to share or link to. Try to view videos again and hopefully they will play smoothly. Be sure to leave comments or link to videos if you want to. I am also open to any suggestions on what you would like to see in this family blog. Email me at geekymamaw@gmail.com, or geekymamaw@yahoo.com with any thoughts.

Rylie's Cheerleading Routine

The Kindergarten Basketball games. This is the halftime routine by the cheerleaders and their coach, Stacy (also Rylie's Mom). They are just too cute!

Rylie's Winter Gym Exhibition

Rylie is now 5 years old and learning quite a bit in gymnastics. She is taught at the West Virginia Gymnastics Center. Rylie is now doing one handed cartwheels, the balance beam, and even starting on the parallel bars. She is shown here working on the balance beam and sitting with her gold medal. I am so proud of her!

A Rose in Winter

 


Mid November and I just clipped another rose from my rose bush. To see a rose bloom this late in the year inspires me to give thanks for my blessings! 

Halloween Fun!

 


Rylie and her neighborhood friends dressed up as the Scooby Doo Gang. Rylie is "Velma" in case you aren't familiar with Scooby Doo characters. Too cute! 

Short Film by my Son in Law (Most Unflattering)

My 50th birthday! The agony of having to wear the funny T shirts and listen to "over the hill" jokes. And to add insult to injury......this film created by my son in law.

Rylie and Mom Video

New site lets you post videos and share with family and friends. I am trying it out. Let me know what you think. Rylie and Mom are performing in the hallway.

My new Toy

Knitting is just not the same without my new Ipod Nano. I listen to some great blues, a podcast, or an audiobook while I am working away on my latest project. Driving to work is now much less boring. This little beauty also holds all my photos, contacts, and calendar appointments. I have it skinned with an ice blue case and protective cover over the screen. Unfortunately the screen scratches way too easily without some protection. I don't always like to have earphones on, so i got this great iHome clock radio external speakers. The sound is suprisingly fantastic and full. It even has a sleep timer so my audiobooks can read me to sleep. These two products are a thumbs up in my opinion!

Lunch Munch

Rylie is now in Kindergarten. She is doing well and is rewarded each day with a "Bull Smiley" if she behaves and is respectful to her friends and teachers. When she accumulates 10 "bull smileys" she can invite anyone she choses for a special lunch in her classroom. I had the privilege of being her guest today in the "Lunch Munch" program. I visited her school, teachers and even got to watch them play on the playground. I really loved spending the time with her.

Welcome new "Grandkitty" Daisy!

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!

The Guest Room is Done!

After much work, painting, cleaning, etc, I can now say one room of our multiroom makeover is done. Have a look! This guest room used to be a family room until Bill and I transformed it. We are also repainting and remodeling the living room, dining room, "mamaw's sewing room", and the new family room, formerly the "basement". More pics will be coming. One thing I did learn from all the painting with my loving husband of 30 years.....never again. The marriage did survive, but we had a couple of rough weeks. We love each other, just don't let us paint together. Why the trouble you ask? Well look at it this way......I am a bit picky with the details in any paint situation, and my wonderful husband is a type B, easy going , and ok with that big drip on the wall person. If we could just meet in the middle, painting might not be so traumatic. We don't dare wallpaper. That was a "never again" task from the 80's.
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My latest masterpiece created by the wonderful Rylie. It is a beautiful addition to the gallery of art on my refrigerator.
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Great Quilts!

We just returned from a trip to Amish Lancaster PA. I have to tell you, I have never seen finer quilting. The stitches are amazing. I am inspired to finish the two quilts I have on the hoops. I won't let myself start a new one until then. Lancaster County has so much to see. The shopping is unbelievable with all the outlet stores. Some of the best Amish shopping was in the little towns of Intercourse and Bird in Hand. (Yes, I know the names are strange). We toured an Amish farm and saw two incredible musical plays, "Ruth", and, " Psalms of David". I have been to Broadway, but this tops anything I have ever seen. I am now back to work to pay for all the money I spent. It was a worthwhile trip I must say.

Fun making miniatures!

Our latest Mamaw-Rylie craft fun is to make miniature things from everyday items in the house. Rylie and I love to go to Barnes and Noble to get ideas. I found a book from American Girl called "Tiny Treasures". We learned how to make tables, wedding cakes, beds for our miniature world. Rylie is crafty like her Mamaw. Note: the toys are from McDonalds Star Wars collection.

Podcasts are the way to go!

I discovered podcasts as the newest way to listen to audio from the net. Think of it as TIVO for the internet audio. I am listenening to Mike and Evo on one of their Slice of Sci Fi podcasts as I write this. They are discussing the newest scifi shows coming out. Check out www.dragonpage.com and download a podcast. You just click on the downloaded podcast to listen. There are a few podiobooks currently offered on this page. I like the Pocket and Pendant story. New episodes each week. If you have a PDA or mp3 player, dump your downloaded podcast into it and listen to it on your way to work. I really like this stuff and it's free. To find other podcasts, just do a Google search for "podcasts"

Just Turned 50!

I just turned 50 years old and thought I would usher in the next half century with a unique blog containing information on my many interests. Over the past 50 years, I find my interests mainly fall into four catagories: Being a "Mamaw", science fiction, knitting and needlework, and of course, computers. There is just nothing better than listening to a science fiction serial podcast on my Sony Th55 PDA while knitting a sweater for my grandaughter. Unless, maybe it is watching episodes of Stargate SG1 with a steaming cup of gourmet hazelnut coffee while quilting on my latest creation.