Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Fortune Cookie

"Fortune Cookie" - digital collage
It seems as though my fortunes from my fortune cookies frequently hit home. This was my fortune from dinner tonight. You can tell it's authentic by the incorrect grammar. ;-)

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

New Burlap Throw Pillow

"Sea Stars" Burlap Throw Pillow
Available at shop crabulous!


I've designed this pillow with me in mind, but of course I want to share it with everyone!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Melody

"Melody" - digital painting
I'm sure I've mentioned before that I have some extraordinarily beautiful nieces. I'm losing count; especially since these nieces have been "begetting" more nieces. My niece, Melody, is featured in this digital painting. I've saved a number of her photos hoping to do something with them someday. She has a certain "classic" beauty about her. Think, Scarlett Johansson in "Girl With The Pearl Earring."  (OK. Side note here. Although Melody has long been thought of by her friends as Scarlett Johansson's doppelganger, my mother, her grandmother, has never associated Melody with SJ and instead, thinks my son, Garrett (Melody's cousin) is a male version of SJ.)

I hope Melody isn't upset with my digital painting of her. It's part Andy Warhol and part me and all part of this great experiment that we call art. 


Saturday, October 11, 2014

Friday, October 10, 2014

Dilemma


I am moving soon and, as with all moves, I ponder what to take with me and what I can best live without. A problem has arisen, though, which gives me pause.

I have become resigned to the fact that there is a sizeable toad who has taken up residence in the left shoe of my LLBean all weather clogs which I keep in the garage. He is quite comfy there and I've been content to let him stay; however, I'm moving the shoes with me!

Do I take the toad with me so he can stay in his cozy home but risk his ultimate shock with his new location or do I leave him behind in a familiar setting and force him to find a new home?

What to do, what to do...

Friday, October 3, 2014

Happy Birthday, Cindy Crabb!

Christmas 2004 with my great-nephew John
"A son's a son till he gets a wife, but a daughter's a daughter all your life"

I've heard this ditty forever and believed it. As a mother of two boys, I just figured I'd one day lose them to their future in-laws. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised.

My oldest son, Jerry, first introduced me to Cindy in 2004. He'd dated a number of gals at whom I'd raised my eyebrows prior to Cindy, but the night I met her, when she came to dinner with Jerry and me, I knew, absolutely knew, that she was the one and I was well pleased.
Enjoying the Crabb family back yard pool.
Cindy is an absolutely amazing young woman. She was born into an adverse situation, but instead of using it as an excuse for pity, she has treated it as an educational experience. And she has pushed herself hard to excel, earning a master's degree in less time than it takes most people to earn their bachelor's degree and excelling in her chosen profession of social work. 

Wedding Day, August 18, 2007

To me, she is much more than a daughter-in-law. She is a very close friend. Having only boys, I never thought I'd have the opportunity to plan a wedding; but, as a matter of fact, Cindy chose me to help her plan her wedding to my son and we spent 18 months on that project; bonding all the way. It helped much that she and I are both natural organizers and a week before the event, we sort of sat back and sighed, because we were ready!

Cashier at my grand yard sale in June 2008.

Joining me at Geocaching in Virginia Beach, VA, 2009. She is absolutely the best cache finder!











With my black shadow, Emmett

She has also continued the legacy of male Crabbs, giving birth to my two grandsons. She has made every effort to include me in every aspect of their lives. I was present at the birth of my oldest, Maxwell, and arrived on the scene five days after the birth of Zachary.

I adore this photo of Cindy and Max, just minutes after he was born. The expression on her face says it all.

Cindy with Zachary. By December of 2013, Cindy was an old hat at "birthin' babies." :D

The year Max was born, I moved a great distance away from this little family that I love so much, but Cindy has been great at keeping me in touch via regular video chats. 


"Screen capture" during a recent video chat. 
This woman, with her zest for life, her love of family (especially embracing our zany one), her ambitious goals and her infectious cackle has captured my heart forever. And on this, her 30th birthday, I wish her much, much, much love and joy.