Following My Heart

It's been a long while since my last post. I have been thinking about the blog but too lazy to post, I suppose. So here I am.

Where have I been? Well, let me tell you. Upper Michigan has been heavy on my heart the last five years, since my genealogy trip. I would consider it and then set it aside, only to revive it and again reject it. This past year, I made up my mind. I will move to Upper Michigan.

In October of '08, my best friend and I went up there to take a look at housing and to see what I could find. I did find a nice little cottage in Kincheloe that just took my fancy. And so yes, I'll be moving. My internal calender is set for April. Between now and then, I have to repair the damage from Hurricane Ike to my house here in Houston, then sell the house. Can I do this? I certainly hope so.

I have a small number of family members nearby in Kincheloe. The town is the size of a Houston subdivision. In fact, the subdivision I live in now is probably larger than the town. But it is so retro up there, so naive and innocent, that I can't turn away. No locking of doors or cars, no theft. People are very trusting of each other, and that is so new to me. It isn't the way of Houston.

And so this is where I will be retiring in April. No empty promises, but I will be posting here more often and hope to see comments from you.

Kathygirl

Let's Pay It Forward

Last year I read another blogger's post on her blog about paying it forward. I took her up on her offer. Her gift to me is in the mail. I wonder what it is!

My part is to also Pay It Forward. Here's my offer. To the first three emailers I receive, I'll send you a little hand made gift. You know I create my own designs. It might be something with one of my designs on it, or maybe something for your home or a personal item. I don't know. My stipulation is that IF YOU KNOW ME ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, DO NOT EMAIL ME ON THIS. Three complete strangers wanted here!

After you receive your gift, you are to Pay It Forward on your own blog. So come on, let's go! Send me an email!

Waiting here,
Kathygirl

What's good about Kiva?

People have asked me, What's so good about Kiva? And what is Kiva anyway, a brand of coffee?
Kiva is an organization that arranges for loans to those in other countries who want to better their business. The person asks for a loan through one of the loan organizations in his or her own country. This request is then put up on the Kiva website and people like you and me lend a small amount ($25 and up) toward that person's loan. When the total amount is raised, the person begins repaying their local representative. When the loan is repaid, you receive your investment back.
I have sponsored two different loans, to two different women in different countries. One wants a special sewing machine for her business. The other one wants to increase her inventory of goods. There are many to choose from, where your money can go.
What is the personal part of this whole thing? It's funny how much better I feel by lending out $25. If you have ever sent money to your local radio or public tv station, you already know. It's a feeling that you have done something to help someone along life's path. Whether it's by the tv shows, the radio station, or a small business in another country, it's a great feeling.
The Kiva link is at the bottom of my blog, but let me list it here, http://www.kiva.org
If you decide to join, please make me your source. kmurcot@comcast.net
Thanks, and enjoy your sponsorship. Leave a comment about your journey.
Kathygirl

Josh does it again!

My grandson Josh has done it again. You will remember that last year he performed at his high school's talent show? Well, he has done it again. This time it's an improv appearance. It is showing on You Tube, thanks to my daughter. Enjoy! Josh is on the right.



Seems that the girls all luv him. What do you think?
Kathygirl

The Remarkable Pfaff (again)

Well, I did it. I sort of did it. I nearly did it. No wait, I did something.

You know, I forgot the most important thing when I decided I wanted that big Pfaff. I forgot to pray. In my life, prayer is a big thing. It's the way I know what to do and what not to do. And I didn't pray about this Pfaff.

So confused, I didn't even think about praying. I didn't know I didn't pray. I just kept waiting for the money to come, so I could go get that big Pfaff. The yummy one. And one day it hit me... I didn't pray about it!

And so I did. I felt that the big Pfaff was not for me. Well, not right now anyway. I took a look at the previous top of the line machine, the 2170. This top machine also embroiders, but a much smaller field of course. Re-hooping is a must. Those of you who embroider know exactly what I mean. For those who don't, it means that part of the design embroiders, and then you take the fabric out of the hoop and "re-hoop" and start the machine again. This is scary because maybe you didn't quite line it up right, and everyone will see that it doesn't go together right. But if you did it correctly, no one will know!

Once I prayed about the whole thing and decided to get the 2170--the money was there within a few days. I found a good deal on eBay and got it with a $2000 savings over my top notch sewing store.

I can hear you now... ah yes, but NOT a new one... Wrong! It's new! And my friend bought my Janome (goodby old friend) so we are two happy people. My new Pfaff is just great, does good embroidery, has the same spiffy stitches as the current new model.

Yep, in a couple of years I'll be looking (and praying) about the new Creative Vision, or its replacement, I already know that. But for now.... yep, I'm a Pfaffie, and proud of it!

ever,
Kathygirl