Karen’s Opinion

We have been visiting friends the past few weekends and now I am feeling a bit guilty. We really should invite this couple to our home but I keep putting it off. It is crazy but when I don’t know someone very well, it makes me nervous. I especially dislike lulls in the conversation and tend to chatter a bit more than is necessary to fill in the void.

I thought it would be a good idea to have some conversation starters like coffee table books. We have a large, square coffee table that is big enough to share a snack and coffee and still have room for some great books. I have a small collection of beer steins in my china cupboard. It might be fun to have a book that tells the history of beer glassware. Another great book to have ready would be a book about Hisey glass. I am slowly getting a few pieces of that glassware and would love to show it off.

I could share a book on both breeds of dogs in our house. I’m sure Brody and Elsie will introduce themselves to this couple. They are great ice breakers.

I feel better already. It is time to invite this couple to our house!

I think my husband and I have watched more movies this winter than any I can remember. The latest movie was Town with Ben Affleck. If you can get past the foul language, this was a good movie. It was intense. My daughter said that she didn’t care for this movie but strangely enough, I did.

I was watching the home improvement channel on television and was amused by a family that loved everything from the 1970′s. They had vinyl covered chairs, plastic vases and real shag carpet. They even had my favorite kitchen wall clock.

We received a wall clock just like this one as a wedding gift. I kick myself for giving it away. We used it for a few years but I guess I decided it didn’t fit with our decor. It had goofy rolling eyes, and a wagging tail. I would love to have another wall clock just like it.

There are many things I wish I had kept.

My husband and I love the show, American Pickers. I cry everytime they get excited over something that I used to have but threw out or gave to Goodwill. Who knew it would be valuable? I threw out bags of little McDonald’s toys my kids saved. You know, the little raisin guys and Bart Simpson toys.

Those little guys are selling for $8 each online.

Is there anything you have given away that you wish you still had?

My sister’s “celebration of her birth” is today. She hates the word birthday. We usually wish her a happy day. LOL

I thought about sending her an artificial plant to celebrate her day. Have you seen the flower arrangements used for weddings and receptions? Artificial flowers are so intricate, look as beautiful as the real thing and they don’t need to be watered! No watering is the best thing because my sister is busy. This is a picture of her riding her Harley.

She is also a wonderful grandma to three little girls. She sews clothes, purses, quilts and backpacks for them. She has always been a fabulous seamstress. You should see the beautiful quilts she has made. I hope she likes what I made her for her day. It has a bit of all the new things I have been learning to incorporate into my craft; Embroidery, applique and prairie points that use two colors of fabric.