Garden cross and procrastination - nuntium duocentesimum septuagesimum septimum

I'm stalling.  School starts Wednesday and I need a review for 8th grade French.  I have a list but can't quite get myself going. So blogging it is!  : )

I made this cross for Ruth- the receptionist who passed away in the explosion.  It's school colors but somehow it doesn't look as nice as the pattern by Robin Perfetti shows.

Speaking of procrastination, I always seem to find a painting project right before school starts.  This poor bannister languished too long.  The intention was to replace with with an unpainted wooden one but after 23 years of hoping to get to it, I decided to paint it.

 Painting wood seems terrible but condition not worth refinishing.

 That's a lot of painter's tape.

 Looks pretty good, I think.  : )

That's not tatting - nuntium duocentesimum septuagesimum sextum

 What could they possibly be?  Unfortunately they take away from tatting time.  But done now.  Here's a hint.

Here are a few "Twinkle, Twinkle"s that I made on our TCT retreat.  This is one of Frivole's lovely (and free) patterns.

In case you're interested:  It's been a week since the explosion now.  I can't help but admire our president (of the school) who was in the blast and yet continues to lead us with grace, poise and determination.  High school will open right after Labor Day.  We don't know where yet but they are committed to having all the activities that we always do.  We at the other campus will start in less than two weeks and try to have school as normal.  This will be an interesting year.

DAISY- the penultimate round - nuntium duocentesimum septuagesimum quintum

Tatting and life still go on.  We will make it.  One day at a time.

DAISY is coming along, in fact we're almost done.  Turns out we can't enter into our Fair.  They don't take doilies.  We could turn in a table centerpiece but it must be at least 24" across.  And it has to be done by just one person.  I thought the mother-daughter piece is what made it so remarkable.  I guess we'll just enjoy it ourselves.  : )

Rest in peace, dear John - - nuntium duocentesimum septuagesimum quartum

http://www.kare11.com/news/minnehaha-academy-hosts-memorial-service-for-custodian-john-carlson/462394407

A sad, sad day - - nuntium duocentesimum septuagesimum tertium

I hesitate to write this but there are enough of you who know where I work so that I want to reassure you that I'm okay.

My school exploded today.

We have two campuses.  I work at the other one.

Thankfully school was not in session, no kids were hurt.  We did lose a colleague though- one of 17 years.  We didn't know each other well but enough to say hi and chat.  My younger daughter is supposed to start her senior year in three weeks in this building.  Another staff member is still missing, a much beloved custodian who bonded with the kids by knowing their names and giving them Dilly bars.  My daughter loved him.

I'm out of words.

More bracelets - nuntium duocentesimum septuagesimum secundum

Here are more of my Mary Konior bracelets.  I was able to do these at our retreat.

 Aren't these beads amazing?  They're from the stash that Lace Lovin' Diane brought.  Gorgeous!