Thursday, February 4, 2010

Keeping It Real

Today I read Kerri's blog and learned some new things about someone I may never meet, but sometimes I still feel like we are friends. I have been blogging for a little over a year and have "met" the most amazing and inspirational people. When I first started, it was hard to find my "voice." It is still definitely a work in progress, but I am feeling more comfortable. I'm a quiet person by nature (yes, one of my goals in life is to have someone say emphatically, "Would you please just shut up!!!!).  When I first started blogging, the intent was as a marketing strategy, to get the word out about our fused glass business.

Yeah, about that...the more I got into blogging, the more I found myself reading...and writing about...sewing and quilting. Mark and I discussed our etsy shop. There is a lot to be done in that regard, and our course of focus is changing there as well. But right now there are a lot of things going on in the background that just seem to have put it on hold for a while. Until that all settles down, I'll continue to focus on getting to know my blogging friends a little better.

Facts about me-

I'm a third generation Californian, although I only lived in the Los Angeles area until I was about 3, and then not again until I was married. Counting California, I have lived in six states.  I have lived in nine cities, including Chicago for about six weeks when I was really small.

I'm proud to be a natural redhead (although nature now gets a little help). Treat us nicely--we are an endangered species.
As a profession, I am a medical transcriber. I previously was an accredited records technician, working with medical records in a hospital, for which I had to take a state boards examination. I have won two typing contests, probably because I am on a computer up to eight hours a day. In fifth grade I purposely lost a spelling bee.

In June I will be married to my best friend for 37 years. We are completely different from each other in so many ways--he would love to get paid for public speaking, I think you couldn't pay me enough to be a public speaker, we like different books, different movies, etc. But our core values are identical and I think that is why it works so well.

The best gift in the world is being a grandmother.  The benefits can't even be measured.


My favorite places to be are at the coast

or at our rental cabins at Huntington Lake.


I don't really splurge on "stuff" but I sure like my iPhone. I have an iPod too, my second one. My first one never had ANY songs on it--only audible books.
I wish I had worn braces.I love newly sharpened yellow #2 pencils. After they are worn down a couple of inches, I no longer like them.

I never EVER eat blue M&MS--personal protest (yes, I know. As protests go, people have already pointed out how ineffective it is--I just don't think they needed to add another color). According to the M&Ms site, of people polled, 31 percent say blue is their favorite color. Go figure.

However, eating the pastel M&Ms at Easter doesn't bother me at all.



I wish I could play the violin so I could be in an orchestra. I wish I had seen Liberace perform. I would pay a lot of money for a ticket to see James Taylor.

I used to have a birthmark on my arm in the shape of Africa, but it has faded.

I want to ride a Zamboni.

I love to read blogs for hours--and sometimes do. I love going to Starbucks but don't like the taste of their coffee (although I really do like coffee, just not theirs). I always order a tall coffee, no room, because everything else intimidates me.

I have the most awesome red cowboy boots. Even if I never wear them again, I'll never get rid of them. However, they do get out and party from time to time. Just not on my feet.


The first five years of our marriage, we lived in Scott City, Kansas, on the Kansas-Colorado border. We have lived in Fresno for almost thirty-two years. But Trudy will always be my BFF. Forever. (And yes, when I proofread this, I do realize that it was redundant to add "forever" again. But I meant to do that.)


I have gone through at least six creative stages: knitting, crocheting, counted cross stitch, needlepoint, tole painting, china painting, scrapbooking. Quilting is NOT a phase. It is my passion. And there is no better way to spend some time than at a quilting retreat with some of the people you like the most!

I would love to learn more about you, so how about sharing? Come back and let me know, so I can visit your blog.

15 comments:

05 08
Candy said... #

I really enjoyed reading about you in your blog today. I just discovered quilter blogs over the holidays and I am hooked. I spend more time reading them than I should. Your blog was one of the first I started following. Last week I started my own blog. Check it out. It is not much yet, but I am learning more every day.

Jocelyn said... #

What a great post. It is so nice to get to know quilters better. Since I started blogging a year ago, I have met some of the kindest, most generous quilters from all over the world. Thanks for sharing. (btw my dh and I will be married 37 years in July :-)

Kerri said... #

how fun to learn more about you, cindy! my mom is a red head, and my best friend in high school was too. :)

we usually visit California once a year since my hubby's mom lives in Willows and his sister is in Redding.

your grandbabies are too cute!! thanks again for sharing!!

CitricSugar said... #

I loved this post - and it's nice to "meet" you. (I'm beginning so suspect 'shy' is only in person... because you're certainly not web-shy.)

PS. I'll keep friends with anyone who takes a hard-line stance against a particular M&M. I have not enough of a problem with them to keep me from eating them BUT I love knowing other people's' lines in the sand'.

Grandma G said... #

Hey, you can still wear braces! I got mine on when I was 43... and at the time I heard of a woman who was over 90 when she got hers! Yes, I typed that correctly - 90!! So go for it! One of the best decisions I ever made. :)

Nice post!

K said... #

Nice to meet. I found your blog through Sharon Wiebe's blog.

I love your stance on M & M's. I won't eat them any more because the Crispy ones where my favorite and they don't even make them anymore.

You have some of the most amazing quilts and have inspired me to learn how to quilt. We are currently living in Texas but grew up in Bakersfield and have family in Fresno.

JHNickodemus said... #

I rather enjoyed that little auto bio. Mine will come...later. After Im back from my trip, and maybe more sane?

ilovebabyquilts said... #

Enjoyed your post! You're gorgeous!

Aaron said... #

Great bio. Your grandkids look adorable. I noticed nothing in your bio about your kids however. huh...

k said... #

I once heard a story on NPR about how redheads, in having children with other non-redheads, were slowly going extinct. Who knew?

Unknown said... #

How lovely to know more about you!!

Trudy said... #

It is really fun reading about you even though I've know you for ages. I am so flattered to be your BFF and I want to be quick to say that the feeling goes both ways! Loved Aaron's comment about your kids but it's true the "kids" really don't count once the grandkids come along (sorry Aaron and my three). The only downer here was the part about the blue M&Ms because I never pay attention to the colors and now I won't be able to get beyond it. I would be happy to add some tidbits to your bio but you probably want me to leave well eonough alone. I do just HAVE to say that Cindy is not always quiet and shy and years ago she made up for the quiet times with beautiful and loud piano playing while I sang at the top of my lungs. Thanks for sending the blog address. Love ya!!!

wishes, true and kind said... #

I love these Keeping it Real posts! So nice to learn a little more about you. LOL about a couple of things: my husband and MIL are CRAZY about zambonis, too! And the personal boycott of blue m & m's -- well, I had a personal boycott of Ebay for years after someone cheated me, they knew about, agreed with me, and still did nothing about it (even letting the seller who cheated me write a bad review about me!). One person boycotts may not work -- but it made me feel better! And I love being at the coast, too!

K-Sue said... #

This post was a great getting-to-know-you post. I popped over because we are both quilting along with Randi, and I wanted to see some of the folks who are along for the ride. Now if I can just figure out that Flicker thing...

Kate said... #

Hey Cindy, I really enjoyed learning about you. What a great idea. My husband and I have been to California a few times and love it. We dream about moving to Santa Barbara one day. The beaches there are beautiful. We live half a mile from the beach and just love that sea air. Thanks for all your supportive comments on my blog. I really appreciate it.