I’m in Las Vegas.
Enough about me.
Where are you? Who are you?
Tell me about you.
What's your story?
I want a parking pass into a snippet of your life. Dish it. STAT.
Do you love to travel ?
We can teleport ourselves all over the place and into each others lives. We can travel virtually by sharing our whereabouts. Unless you are in the witness protection program. Don’t share that shit.
Give me your ‘real life’ goods. The real stuff.
Right here.
Right now.
What part of the world are you hanging out in? Whatcha doing? What do you love to do? How do you keep yourself busy? Who do you love? What are you fed up with? What’s on your bucket list?
Shall I go first to get this party started ?
Do you need a sip of sumthin’ ?
Go get it.
Then… get back here and get ready to talk.
It’s time for you to spill the beans.
*waiting* waiting*
VIVA LAS VEGAS
Get ready to get ‘yer game on. I’m calling your name next.
I’m looking right at you. Put that sandwich down. You are telling me your story in a moment. You need both hands for this one.
Here’s a snippet into my week:
I was feeling pretty happy when I arrived in Las Vegas. Who wouldn’t ? Glam and glitz. Wowsers.
Then…oh then….
Reality Check :
I met the hotel magnifying mirror.
Note : A hotel magnifying mirror is lit up brighter than the Vegas Strip.
Those mirrors can find things better than an FBI profiler. They are like glow-in-the-dark magnification on steroids. The dreaded mirror finds things that you didn’t know even existed. Nor should you know that these things exist. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Dear Hotel designers,
A lit up magnifying mirror in the bathroom is like the little shop of horrors. Should I be thankful for the mirror, or rip it out of the wall and stomp on it with reckless abandon??!!
Signed,
Rhinocerous face
Seriously… no one should see their face so up front and personal. No one.
4 Reasons why magnifying mirrors should be banned:
1. The mirrors are like a bad relationship. Every time you look at them, you want out.
2. Even if you think you look good before heading out…. one glance in the larger than life magnifying mirror will change your mind.
3. The mirror is like looking through binoculars at Jurassic park. Suddenly, you are a prehistoric beast with deathly dry skin issues.
4. That face in the mirror is not you. It is your evil twin. The ugly one. The one with random sprouts of hair in odd places. And sideburns. Gasp.
Solution :
1. Throttle the mirror.
2. All mirrors should come with an instagram filter. Everything looks good with an Instagram filter. Problem solved. Or PicMonkey it. PicMonkey will remove your wrinkles, give you a spray tan and whiten your teeth. And you think I joke.
Now it’s your turn.
Tell me your story. I want to know about you. What part of the world are you in?
What can you share ? :
** Share your favourite blogger. It better bloody well be me. Jokes. No. Really. If you want to know my fave bloggers ~ you can find them here : OMG, I love these bloggers.
** Share your thoughts and feedback. Unless they suck. Then don’t tell. I have had three negative blog comments in the past year. All of them drove me to drink a stiff shot of whiskey through my clenched teeth. Then the sudden urge to high-five the negative commenter. With a table lamp.
There. Warned. Fair and square. I will punch you if you say mean things.
Share your favourite things….like recipes or DIY ideas. Something outside of the box. Slightly absurd is completely acceptable.
Share anything that tells me about the real you.
What you shouldn’t share :
Your bra size.
The contents of your diary.
The last time you shaved your legs.
You can share your story in the comments below or share in the listly attached list. It’s all very easy to do.
How to add yourself to the list :
1. You can attach a URL link to your blog or web page. Or you can simply attach a photo, tell a story, add the kitchen sink. You can pretty much do anything. If a listly list could cook dinner, I would marry it.
Note : With the list ~ you will need to sign in via Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or Google + to prove that you are a real human being. No aliens allowed.
After you sign in ( it takes seconds) just click ‘add to list‘ and you are off to the races.
Wham. Bam. You are done like dinner. So simple.
Don’t have a social media presence?
Get one.
Jokes.
No worries, knock yourself out in the comment section. You may also attach a link in the comments or a URL to photos from your instagram, flickr or your pinterest page.
I will come and find you.
Are you worried now?
I told you that I work for the FBI, right ?
That’s right.
The SWAT team.

















































Lynne, is it okay to say something to Tracie here? Well, I’m gonna anyways!
Tracie, gf, I know just where you’re coming from about the age thing. And I’m NOT gonna tell you that age is just a number, (DUH, even I know that!) what I’m gonna tell you is something to make you really appreciate how young you really are NOW! This is guar-an-teed to make you glad you look just like you do NOW!
I want you to go get you a hand mirror and place it on the floor. (You can do this too Lynne!) Now get down on your hands and knees and get your head right above the mirror. Now see, things could be LOTS worse than they really are!!!!
Do NOT ask me how or why I did this. believe me, you DON”T want to know.
I thank God every day that I do not look like that old hag in the mirror on the floor. Hopefully, they will ban mirrors before that ever happens.
Hugs,
Becki
Ha ! Good one Becki !
I forwarded your message to Tracie. She will laugh her butt off. I am NEVER going to do that in a mirror. LOL. I don’t want to frighten myself. I have already looked in a magnifying bathroom mirror with my reading glasses on. No one should see their face that close. The horrors. hahahaha ! xx
Becki, I almost peed myself!! I saw that on (I admit it) The Golden Girls, where Blanche was talking about her sex life (of course!) and being on top……well, I think it was Dorothy told her it wasn’t such a good position for someone her age and handed her a mirror, telling her to do exactly what you suggested!!! Imagine the look on Blanche’s face, priceless!!!!
Hi Lynne!
The more I read about you, the more I thought OMG, I have a twin sister!! (Well maybe not IDENTICAL. As a matter of fact, scratch that ‘twin sister’ thing because I’m 60 years young) What I mean is, you SOUND just like me. The quirky way you write, think and poke fun at yourself!
I’m not quite sure how I stumbled onto your blog. I’d been watching videos for the last hour or so on Utube about making flower fairy houses and one where a lady made a little fairy house out of a willow sphere (which I thought was so darn cute!) and then I think the fairies grabbed me and drug me over to your blog page about making grapevine spheres!
I gotta tell ya that I watched your beautiful video ‘Can-cer vivor ‘ about your family’s journey and it brought tears to my eyes. I lost my husband to colon cancer in Nov 2011 after a long, 4 year battle. Happy by nature, he also had such a wonderful sounding laugh that I still miss so much. He was big on living and loving each day as if it were your last (even before he got sick). He taught me alot of important things but the most important thing I will always treasure is that winning is not about beating everyone else. It’s about knowing that you did the very best you could. And THAT’s all I have to say about that…
I too am a DIY’er, somewhat of a writer (okay, I’ve written 2 middle grade novels but not even my adult daughter who has always been an avid reader could get through more than one chapter so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that no publisher was ever interested. Oh well, THEIR loss!), a 3rd generation flower gardener, Master Gardener and a daylily hybridizer. Do you remember the Pound Puppy toy back in the mid 80′s? I designed that. I also sew, quilt, craft and design and make corsets. I can do just about anything creative except get my voice messages off my phone. Technology actually gives me nightmares! I’m serious! My first cell phone my husband got me for Christmas one year with a 2 year contract and I only used it twice in those two years. (one of those times was an accident when I hit a button when I slipped it in my purse.) Needless to say, he did not renew the contract. I just got another one for myself last Christmas and I am proud to say that I use it at least once a week or so. I have even sent a few text messages, although it takes me about a half hour to text a 10 word message. (I just don’t get what is so convenient about texting. I figure the person who designed texting must speak really, really slow and figured he might be able to move his fingers faster than his mouth)
I guess you could say I have some rather varied interests. Whatever the current trend is in ANYTHING, I want to do something ELSE. Except right now, I am really stuck on fairies and have been stuck on them for a few years now. It’s really my granddaughter’s fault, both of them. They are now 8 and 11, but when they were 5 and 8, I made up this marvelous story to tell them one night before they went to bed about the fairies that lived in Nana’s garden. Nana is what they call me because grandma sounds so well.. OLD, so I told them they could call their OTHER grandma that, not ME.
So anyway, the next morning, Lily, the 5 year old asked me to show her where the fairies lived in my garden. UT OH! Let me tell ya, I had to do some fast talking to smooth that one over and made up some ‘nother story about them being on vacation. Well, I had just two weeks (they spend the night every other weekend) to come up with a fairy garden! of course I pulled it off and they loved it but not half as much as I did/do. I’m just wondering if you’ve ever made a fairy garden outdoors or even a fairy house? I have several houses in mine that I have bought here and there but I’d love to make one (or two or four or five) from those grapevine spheres. Where can I buy some? They’d be PERFECT!
Sorry this is so long I should have warned you that I write long letters too. Anyway, its wonderful to ‘meet’ you!
Becki in Westerville
Becki you are a hoot !!! I can see why you loved a man that was happy by nature. You are too !! LOVE THAT !!! You would make a fabulous Waldorf teacher or volunteer. My children went to school for years at a Waldorf country school and LOVED the whole learning through play. They talk about garden fairies all the time in a Waldorf School. The kids love love loved it !!!
Grapevine : If you go to a local crafts store and buy grapevine wreaths… you can take them apart (they will still have a circular shape) and then wire them into the shape of a grapevine ball. Tahhhdahhhh !!
Wonderful to meet you too !
Big fat hugs,
Lynne xx
OMG Becki, I have been researching fairy gardens and collecting stuff to make one for the last little while. Sooo cute! I want to make one for myself but then there’s my grandkids, my mom, sisters, friends……I think just this once though, I will be selfish and make the first one for me
You sound like you’re quite an awesome woman, which is why you’ve found yourself over at Lynne’s blog, I’m sure. Wonderful that you get sleep-overs with your grands, I get 5 year old Sam just about every weekend and soon his 1 1/2 year old brother Demetre will get the occasional over-night. I am without my 8 year old granddaughter Madalee, who moved out of Province but we make sure to call each other and visit back and forth when we can. The last two teens Traymin-18 and Tia-16, I see little of due to the fact that Tia is also out of Province and Traymin has a busy enough life being 18, haha. Grandkids are a special blessing hey? A fairy house from a grapevine huh, would you post some pics? Nice to meet you Becki……
Hi Lynne
This is my first time on your blog (I came across it while searching for cancer quotes that may make me cry) and I have connected with you in my head instantly. Only today morning I was telling my mom about your life with cancer and she asked me to pass on her blessings to you. I am 27 years old, a Corporate Lawyer by Profession (read a Big law firm lackey who dabbles in mergers and acquisitions) and I am from New Delhi, India. My dad, who is the sun, and the moon and the stars of my life has been fighting cancer for past 2 years now. He was dx at stage 4 and I am tired shit of doctors telling me that there is no cure! I got married to my boyfriend of 10 years about 6 months back- and we honeymooned in Italy (- dream come true). My husband is a wonderful man whose life revolves around me. He lost his mum to cancer a month before our wedding and I lost my grandfather and grandmom to I don’t know what a week before and after my wedding respectively. It’s been an emotional two years for me, but I am presently fighting hard for my dad- I have full faith that he will outlive this crazy disease. I love butterflies, (dark) poetry, I read a lot and I write sometimes. My secret dream is to be a published writer one day. I love the colour blue but of late I have been picking lots if dresses in black, tangerine and neon shades. I am a lover of mocha, cobbled streets and water bodies. I also love rains and I believe that getting wet in the first rains can free you from all chains. I am a prisoner of my own mind and I like to scream and howl when alone for my dad. I met a clairvoyant a day before who told me that my dad and I would always be connected wherever he goes… Do you think that could be true? Hugs and Bear Hugs
Hello Esha !
Wow, wow, wow !!! I loved reading your words. You should be a blogger! I love how you describe things… the colours, the feelings, the reality of hardships in life… all through the looking glass of love. xx
I too believe that you will be forever connected with your Dad. It is a blessing to have such a beautiful connection. Have you written a letter to your Dad? It may sound silly.. but I did that for my Dad..and later reflected on it. I read it at his funeral. I asked him to be my angel some day. I was so happy that I wrote him that letter. He always promised that he would look out for me and my family. I bet you have the same relationship with your Dad. I bet your Dad would love a letter from you.
Keep writing..keep loving..keep doing all the spectacular things that you do. I hope you blog some day. I will read your blog for sure!!!
Much love and many bear hugs right back at you.
Lynne xx
Hi Lynne,
It’s my first time visiting your blog and I’m hooked! I’m a designer in the process of building my dream house (ok, it was supposed to be a dream house but it’s more like a nightmare at times). Yes, I’m an interior designer and yes, that’s supposed to mean that renovating an old Italian villa (I currently live in Italy) should be a piece of cake. BUT IT ISN’T! If anything it’s more stressful cause there is just so many things that I like and I can’t decide (and there’s so many structural walls that I can’t move!). I made a promise to myself that everything in my house would be deeply loved… furniture, hardware, rugs, knick knacks, people, animals, children… everything. I came to a conclusion that in order to achieve that, I need to make everything myself (ok maybe except for animals, those are hard to make) so I am in a hunt for DIY projects. I’ve come to the right place, right?
Magda !!
You live in Italy ? You are a designer ? Do you want a room mate ? LOL !! Ohhhh I love Italy. I one million percent agree with you.. everything in your home should be deeply loved. I am so happy you found my blog. It is a pleasure to meet you (although I wish it was in person) haha ! I hear George Clooney lives there too. Yes, I have many DIY projects on my blog and many more coming ! Enjoy enjoy enjoy ! Big hugs from Canada. Lynne xx
Ok the first thing you should know about me is I am terrible at summarizing anything. I talk like I write which is fast and in long run on sentences. And sarcastic abbreviations.
What can I say about me that you don’t already know? hmm.. Ok I was born in Poland and came to Canada when I was 3. My favourite food is pizza which I could easily eat every night if you let me. My favourite colour is blue. I have seen Braveheart over 50x and I still cry at the musical score. When I had my ‘office job’ I once sat about 3 meters away from Sting doing an acoustic version in rehearsal of Fields of Gold and to this day that is one of the highlights of all my years working in TV, b/c you can’t create that type of accidental moment if you tried. I am almost 4 years old than my husband. I hate musicals (don’t shoot me). If I could live anywhere in the world it would probably be Paris even though my French language skills are awful. Sometimes I secretly miss living in the City., Shhhh…..
Hi Lynne,
I live in Surrey, BC (Vancouver) with my honey Tim and our cat, Tigs. I will be a senior in two weeks and am not happy about it….well, in some circles I’ll be a senior anyway and not in the ways it could benefit me, such as in discounts and pensions and quit working kind of ways. 55 is the last totter on the way down to 60 and beyond. On the other hand, I have two incredible grown sons with families who have blessed me with grandchildren so I have a lot to be thankful for. I still have my parents (separated and single 70-ishes who are still mostly independent) and an awesome group of siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and the best friends ever! So I guess I should stop bitching about my age. I love Pinterest and DIY stuff. I knit and crochet, love calligraphy and have started playing the guitar (again). I have discovered mosaics recently and absolutely love it, but I really need to finish what I start. I’m a terrible procrastinator. Actually, that’s not true at all, I’m probably one of the best procrastinators of all time! I love the blues and country music, and love going on road trips with my girls (usually to some sort of music festival). I think that’s enough for now, as my grandson is tugging at my arm……I love your blog and look forward to your posts daily (really). I also love The Art of Doing Stuff (where I heard of you) And I wish I was in Vegas with my buds right now, lucky girl!!!! I love you! (does that sound weird? too bad)
Tracie !
Shut the front door !!! You will be a senior !? I want to know if you have a fountain of youth in your backyard. What’s your secret? Holy smack dab you certainly don’t look like a senior. So happy you are not a blue haired senior. ha!
I loves ya right back !! xx
Lynne, you are awesome! I see I will have to change my pic as it is at least five years old. I am going to take a pic of myself on Friday (bday) and update it then. And no, the hair’s not blue, but it could be a bit over-processed right about now! Every time I start to get depressed about the age thing, (things don’t go all at once, it’s a process) I give my head a shake and re-group. There are so many things to be thankful for, as cheesy as that sounds. I don’t even have to try to find things, they are all around…..:)
Hi Tracie !! I wrote an email to you (but not sure if you got it)…. to let you know that yesterdays mosaic backsplash blog post was dedicated to you ! Did you see it ?!!! Wooohooooo ! Celebrate !xx
Tracy – when I read that you were a senior and you lived with your honey – my first thought was – wow she’s in high school and gets to live with her honey! cool…I am also over 50 but still being close friends with my bestie from high school – and having a young attitude…it still feels like we are in high school. There is so much still to do – can’t wait for retirement so I can put more time into traveling with my hubby.
Kathy – that’s so funny, but thank God I’m not in high school anymore!! You know, I just reconnected with an old friend from grade two or three, we had lost touch around our late teens due to life, moving around, etc. We didn’t skip a beat when we saw each other again, and just had a girls’ weekend at her place on Vancouver Island…….life is great! I love your attitude!
You know I am one of your biggest fans Lynne, and it’s really cool that you are getting up close and personal with those of us that follow your funny, informative and beautiful blog, just had to say that! Ok here it is, present life. Living in Brooklyn, NY in a 1880′s historic townhome, sell real estate for a living, divorced, and peacefully and happily co-habitating with my two better halves, Izzy and Nando aka the pugs in my kitchen. I love to cook, hate to clean (especially unloading the dishwasher) love to blog, it is my creative outlet along with cooking. I have a grown daughter who is wonderful and my best friend, I was married to a rock musician (won’t go into ugly details) had some fun though, have dabbled in a lot, have a strong creative side had my own line of home furnishings that I made myself and was sold in some stores in several states, have lived and travelled in Europe. Love Brooklyn!!
That’s it Suzanne !…. We MUST meet when I am in NYC this year. I will be there the first week of December. It may be a long way away…but it is going in our calendars. STAT
I did the link to my profile on a site that deals with cancer survivors. I’m not sure if it worked (techno challenged at times!) but a little bit about me….I am fellow Canadian from the big Metropolis of Mississauga. Mom to 2 boys. Cancer free for almost 3 years (woo hooo)….hit the cancer jackpot with going through it twice in the matter of one year but am through that and enjoying the post-cancer life! Currently undergoing a bathroom renovation that is a little stressful
Work full-time, transport my kids to hockey on a part-time basis and just enjoy life. Love your blog….accidently found it while searching something else and have saved it to my favourites…that I try to check most days.
Wooohhoooooo Rachel !!!!
Cancer survivor ! Take THAT cancer and stick it in your woohoo. You go girl ! CONGRATS !
You are doing a bathroom reno too? Welcome to my world. haha ! I am posting a DIY shower curtain this week. You may like it…but it will require a trip to Ikea. That is good news and bad news. LOL.
That’s so cool that you saved the blog to favourites. You can also take the shortcut and subscribe…and then the new blog posts come directly in your email inbox. Now if I could only teach my blog how to make dinner. Life would be so easy. Ha !
Epic {hugs} of congrats !
Lynne
I love, love, love your site. I always say that when I pipe in with a comment here, but it’s so true. I’m always telling my friends to look at it because it’s so darned pretty.
Let’s see, I’m a San Diegan now living in New York City and dreaming of Paris. I’m a fundraiser by trade and have the best boss in the world. I’m a single mom to a 20 year old (we’re 20 years apart, almost exactly!) and a cat mom to one large stray cat. I’m a lover or words, triathlon courses and books (books and more books). And did I mention: I love your blog. And yay, instagram following: http://instagram.com/bubblesdeux
Hi Dee Dee
I just poured through your blog & your beautiful love of Paris. Loved those instagram pix of Paris too !
You may just love this list of bloggers that I recently updated…there are quite a few of Paris bloggers in here !!!! : xx http://www.lynneknowlton.com/blogs-i-love-to-read/
Ohhhh you are going to have some reading fun now!
Big love to you !
Lynne xx