Raige Creations

 It had been raining for days and days.... Not that I was complaining. I love rainy days. And I don't mean a little rain and then back to normal sun. I mean grey, cool, rainy days. Whole days of clouds and rain. Days where you can just settle in and chill under a blanket.  Sadly I had to drive in and home from work during most of these days. Forgetting my rain coat, many a trip from car to building and back. But I didn't mind, a bit refreshing actually. And there is a beauty in rainy days.  Rainy View in Traffic And going in to work gave me some break from the news . Today I can breathe a little easier though, knowing some dignity can be restored to the world. I try not to bring my political views in to my public postings, but dang am I glad to be rid of the current POTUS. That's all I have to say about that.  From NOAA National Hurricane Center From  NOAA National Hurricane Center Saturday brought some heavy winds, and loads of rain, from TS Eta . We weren't ex...

Yup. Hooked on this song apparently. I heard it on the radio driving in to town the other day. I cranked up the volume, and sang along as loud as I could. And then over the weekend it came up in conversation...can't remember that conversation now but I got to hear it again. And there it has been in my head, stuck. Every time I hear it, I want to sing it, and sing it loud. I like sing along songs, particularly since singing is good for you . Plus, both sing and dance are on this great list of advice for living. What a GREAT feeling that was in the car, though! There is something so liberating about singing alone in the car while your driving. I hadn't let loose like that since, well at least since before the lockdown . And honestly, I didn't let loose much before that because traffic was so bad people sitting in cars right next to me would have seen me blaring out the song and doing a little dance sitting behind the steering wheel and that would have just been we...

The commute. Some days it just wears you down. The stop, then go, then slam on brakes because the guy in the next lane suddenly has to be in your lane, right in front of you. The longing looks at the lane next to you who seems to be going by rather fast, maybe 10 miles and hour, while your lane is going so slow the speed does not register. And the realization you cannot sneak in front of one of those cars zooming by you in the next lane because your car is so long, it won't fit snugly in the space that exists before the next car moves up. You would need to get the drivers attention and make sure they stop to let you in, which doesn't make you an appreciated driver. And with one of the only 2 on the island like it, your car is memorable. No need to make enemies on the road.  The stress of the drive just beats you down some days. Then when you finally reach your destination, and dread the parking. Where I am, the parking sucks. No other way to explain it. Spaces too smal...

Of course. The first day of my vacation, I get in the car to make it to the early morning cross fit class, and turn on the windshield wipers to get the dew off - NOTHING. I should have been preparing for this, I know. Last week the noise started. A loud, tired whirring when the wipers were on. But did I prepare? Nope. Who ever fixes anything on a car unless it completely stops working? Especially a 20 year old car. I am left with the question - worth fixing the wiper motor to sell or just unload as is? We have been talking about selling this one for a slighty less crappy piece of crap. Tough call. The part locally is twice as much as is should be. We don't have all the tools to follow the instructions on the You Tube videos I have spent the morning pouring over. But who would pay good money for a car that immediately needs repairs? That is the problem with old cars. I am just not sure I want to spend time on my vacation to muck around with this. Perhaps just order the ...

A new term for one who be a little less than sane or smart? Two Rows Short of a Full Glove. Perhaps! This was ME yesterday. Literally, and figuratively. We were on the road, driving our oldest back to college, to his new apartment. He took the plunge and moved off campus, mid-year just to make it interesting.  I had finally accepted this milestone of My Little Cuddle Bear , and was happy and excited for him. We ordered the futon bed and mattress, one of which would arrive that afternoon. (thankfully the mattress so at least he could sleep on it on the floor until the base arrives. oh the college days...) We got him some dishes, a few kitchen supplies, and a closet organizer, after much discussion and debate over the benefits of this in lieu of a dresser. His roommate had the rest, he assured us.  So, we were on our way to deposit him in his 'life away from home', I was sitting in the back crocheting my little heart out. I was happily working on an order for a pair ...

When life takes over, one may not get to post every single day for NaBloPoMo . Not in my world. With the heat issues the other day, then a day playing catch-up with tasks that didn't get done due to the possibility of instant frostbite the days before, and then a day of driving, how could I get any writing done, much less sit in front of the computer to post? The pressure of this challenge, however, is not the kind of pressure that makes me anxious. It is not the kind of pressure filled with dread, panic, or stress. This kind of pressure is pushing me in a gentle way. It is an urge to write, a task I WANT to do, not one I am forced to nor one I dread. Strangely, I noticed as I tended to my tasks, my mind was planning my posts. Actually, thinking of what I would write, even forming sentences and arranging paragraphs! This is a sensation that came to me in a previous NaBloPoMo attempt , and I am so glad it continues to be part of my days. In fact, while I was driving home ...

Why did I get up so early today? Since we moved the business out of its downtown location, and I no longer have to work 6 days a week, including all weekend long, I have completely enjoyed sleeping in on Saturdays. I do still wake up, but the freedom of not having to get up, going back to sleep....ahhhh. There is nothing quite like it. But today, alarm went off the normal weekday time. I got up by 6:30 am (yes, I like to press snooze for an excessive amount of time), made coffee, fed the animals, the normal morning routine. WHY? My youngest son had to meet his drivers ed teacher at 7:30am! photo courtesy of   Travelers Point . Yup. It has happened.  All of my children are now drivers . I now have to dispense the advice that has been handed down from my father .    My youngest is now on the road. He took the class, and now is out there with all those other crazy drivers . I honestly don't know if I can handle sitting in the car with him while h...

photo courtesy of Raige Creations Yup. That's what it is all about here in the mountains. (A good smile I got when driving home from the last day of sales at the shop.) No, this is not my car, not quite the one I want, anyways. But since I will have some time on my hands in the near future, I may explore a little. But wait, I don't have 4-wheel drive. Crud. Maybe time for some new wheels too?  Purple. Jeep. Awesome! photo courtesy of Cascade4WD.com Some day. This will be my next vehicle. To roam the mountains, with the top down of course. Maybe not a redneck vehicle, but close enough for me. And I will get it dirty. Yee Haw! ' Till then, I will either have to confiscate hubby's truck from my daughter, or just live vicariously through the cars I get stuck behind.  Love where I live. Roll On!

The perfect driving song, we listened to this on our drive to Greenville, NC. Last week was my son's college orientation, and we loaded up the car, and drove. It was the first road trip we have taken since we moved here, going on 2 years ago. It is a quite pleasant 5 1/2 hour drive, and after only 2 years in the mountains, we found it interesting how flat that side of the state is. (I was also surprised at the comfort I felt once we returned to the mountains.)  A beautiful campus, East Carolina University is in the small city of Greenville, NC , with the city population of only around 84,000. Compared to Asheville, the kids said it is flat and were surprised there were no tall buildings.  Pitt County Court House Greenville City Hall The highest building downtown is three stories tall. In contrast to that, the campus has dorms 10 stories tall. We all liked the campus though. Gorgeous architecture.  Cotton Hall, one of the oldest reside...

I may be making a bigger deal out of this than necessary.  (I may just be searching for NaBloWriMo content.) But after blabbing to my whole world that my son passed his drivers test, I got the best email from my sister, Sandy. Cross Stitch Pattern by All Stitches She sent me a list of some advice she remembered our Dad dispensed as he was teaching her to drive.   I had forgotten some of these, which were also used on me. But once I read them, the memories came back, and I realize how much I miss my dad. (he passed away in 2000 after living 83 wonderful years) Here is the short list of driving advice from my Dad:  1) When you make turns, try not to "throw" the passengers in the car. 2) Try to use your brakes as little as possible . 3) Always try to anticipate what the other driver is going to do. 4) "...Uh, Sand, can you step on it a little bit more? At this (slow) speed, it'll take ALL DAY to get there!" 5) (waiting to make a left...

After 3 hours at the DMV,  dealing with insurance company for 45 minutes,  a nd my nerves about shot..... My son passed his drivers test!!  He can now drive without an adult in the car!  So, honoring all drivers...and MY SON,  I present this collection. My Son Passed His Drivers Test!!!   Curated By: RaigeCreations ArtFire.com Jewelry Supplies Now begins the worries of my kid on the road... guess my nerves won't get a break... but I still am so proud of him.