Thursday, July 28, 2011

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

What I'm listening to... Can't Smile Without You - Barry Manilow



This brings back memories... Mom my is a Barry Manilow fan and I remember watching him on TV when I was younger. Whenever I hear his songs I think of my Mom.

My favorites are "Can't smile with you" which makes you want to bear hug someone and "Copacabana" which makes you want to get up and dance. They are just classic, so hit play and give someone a hug!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Berlin Wall


During Edna and my girl's weekend we went to the National Churchill Museum, which is a state of the art museum. We were both very impressed with the design, look, layout and content of the museum. It's a must see if you are anywhere near Fulton, MO. Truthfully I did not know much about Winston Churchill but he did live a fascinating life.
Outside the museum there was a large piece, about 20 yards, of the Berlin wall. I was shocked to see how thin it was. I remember in 1989 watching the news of the wall being torn down with hammers and chisels. I always thought it was about 2 ft wide but it's only about 8 inches.

Painted all over the wall was the word "un Wohr" which I looked up and is German for "untruths".  I thought this was a neat piece of history to be able to see and touch.

Click photos to see larger.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What the?... Jinx's Book Store

 My best friend Edna (in above photo with a baby in her tummy) and I went to a bed and breakfast a few weekend ago for a much needed girl's getaway weekend. We stopped in the few shops they had in this small Missouri town and Jinx's Books store was one of them. We took two steps into the used book store and were totally shocked at the disarray of books.
 Edna and I gave each other glances, we were both thinking the same thing... oh my goodness... what the? Books were stacked in every corner with almost no order to them, boxes of books over flowing! Then we went up the book covered stairs and couldn't believe our eyes, there was almost no place to walk, books were all over the floor! It was a bit like walking into a hoarders house.
The small OCD part of me wanted to sit there all day and organized the books, I just did not understand how it could look like that! Jinx, which is a cat, followed us around the store looking to get petted. It's a shame really, it could really be a charming little book store.

Click on the photos to see them full size!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

New Dress for Mama


I made a dress for me! It's the first dress I have ever made for myself. I have made simple dresses for the girls before but this was a first for me. I've made myself skirts for the summer but that's about it. I've always been a bit nervous sewing clothes for myself, I don't want them to look homemade. That is why I have stuck to the kids clothes, it seems more acceptable to sew kids clothing.

But I picked up the pattern (McCall's M6308) for $1 and though I would give it a try. I purchased a gray jersey, t-shirt like material. This was another challenge since I find jersey hard to sew since it is so stretchy! But I was able to follow the instructions and I made it... and it looked cute... and it doesn't look homemade!

I think the hem dips a tiny bit in the back but I don't think anyone but me would notice. So, not to bad for my first dress. That's my girls and me (in the dress) at the Magic House's Alice in Wonderland room.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

What I'm listening to... "The Moth"


When I am in my office sewing or crafting I love to listen to podcasts. One of my favorites is called "The Moth". This podcast is taped within a live group, they tell short stories, some funny, some sad and some make you think. But they all are true and have a lot of heart. Remember when you were little and your Mom would read you a bedtime story, this is the grown up version of that.

I have my favorite podcasts, below is a list of my top 7.

- This American life (it's the best!)
- The Moth
- Stuff Mom never told you
- The Meditation Podcast (They have a great "Falling Asleep" podcast)
- NPR Fresh air
- Radio Lab
- Stuff you missed in history class

Monday, July 4, 2011

2011 Calendar - July



Here is a little calendar cuteness I created. I make one each month, so check back for August's image. You can use this for your computer wallpaper, print one out for the office, your craft room or the fridge. Double click the image for the high res file.


All images are Copyrighted by Tracy Dorsey, 2011. 
Free download for personal use only. Not for resale.


Saturday, July 2, 2011

Life can be too short


On June 22, 2011 Erik Rogers, a good high school friend of my husband passed away. He had fallen off a 6 ft ladder trimming the trees in his backyard and sustained a major brain injury.


I have been thinking about him, his family, and his two girls since this tragic accident happened. As you can expect I wonder why was he taken at such a young age. I guess his job here on earth was done, but can't help to think of his girls growing up with out him in their lives. It just breaks my heart. I keep looking at his photo and I can't believe he is not here walking, talking. I just have so many thoughts and questions in my head.


Erik's sudden death has also made me reflect own my life, which I actually do often, and I am reminded once again that any day could be my last and I must enjoy it all now, there is no time to waste.


Because Erik was an organ donor he still lives on:  his heart is with a 59 year old man, his liver with a 53 year old man, a 20 year old girl received 1 kidney & a 73 year old women got the other kidney. It does make me happy that Erik's donation has helped so many people.


I picture Erik watching over his girls... forever their guardian angel. 



Friday, July 1, 2011

Happy 7th Birthday Amelia



Happy Birthday to my baby Amelia... 7 years have flown by so fast I'm afraid to blink again.

Here is a list of her favorite things right now.

color: Purple
book: American Girl Books
t.v show: Amazing world of Gumball
movie: Labyrinth
activity: Play my DS
food: Peperoni Pizza & Salad
treat: snow cones
sport: Swim Team
toy: Berry Chloe Bear
thing to do with Mom: paint nails
thing to do with Pops: watch Avengers
thing to do with Anna: teaching her how to do the big monkey bars
thing to do with Groucho: take him on walks.