For Dawn

One of my favorite bloggers is Dawn at Bee and Rose. She is an amazing example of finding humor in most situations and being graceful under pressure. Dawn lost her dear husband last night after a long illness. Please take a few minutes to say a prayer for Dawn and her children and maybe visit her blog to leave some words of comfort. 

Life is short. Hug your loved ones while you can and never miss an opportunity to tell them what they mean to you. Dear Readers, you mean more to me than you know. I value your comments and encouragement. I haven't been around much lately, but I knew you'd be here when I returned and I've kept up with you all along. Thank you!

A Crafter I Am Not

What do you do when you have a pushy daughter who is relentless in her efforts to make you step outside your comfort zone?

A) Start a blog

B) Join a Bunco group

C) Participate in a craft swap

D) All of the above!

If you chose D, you are exactly right! And I'm glad I did all these things. Thanks, Lauren!

Here are the ornaments I made with my own two little hands for the craft swap my daughter started. I take no credit for the idea....got that off Pinterest. Twelve ornaments cost me about $5. The wood was free--thanks, Lowes! The scrapbook paper was 40% off at Hobby Lobby and I just printed off the words. The original post used wire, but I already had twine and being the cheap frugal gal I am, I used that. But, of course, I couldn't leave well enough alone, so had to add a little bling bling to the mix. Back to Hobby Lobby for some sparkly do-dads and voila!

Can't wait to see what the other participants have made!

What's New, Pussycat?

I took a blogging break over the summer and thought I'd catch you up on what happened during those few short months.  These are in no particular order, which is how I usually do everything.

One daughter bought a house.

One daughter got married.

Son had a baby girl.

House-buying daughter had a baby boy.

Baby-having son bought a house.

Granddaughter and grandson from Tacoma came for two months.

Had a yard sale.

Opened a second flea market booth.

Went camping with our church group.

Stopped trying to even pretend to exercise or eat right and gained 15 lbs.

Had a thyroid biopsy (benign).

And that's just the big stuff!

For those wondering about the Crock Pot Pizza....it was delicious! Easy and filling...just my kind of meal! Will definitely be adding it to the repertoire.

Whatcha Eatin?

Anyone who has read this blog for more than five minutes knows I hate to cook.  Some folks think that means I can't cook. To the contrary, I can cook, I just prefer not to. Every once in a while though, I get a wild hair and try out new recipes.  On the menu tonight? Crock Pot Pizza.  Sounds wonderful. Smells delicious! Tune in tomorrow to see if it tastes as good as it looks!

An Oldie, But Goodie!

This time four years ago, I shared a wonderful article about women and the right to vote. Thought it appropriate to post it again today. It's long, but so worth the read! Hope you'll take the time to do so--maybe while you're waiting in line to cast your own vote!

#8

Our 8th grandchild was born a little over an hour ago! A boy weighing 7 lbs, 15 oz! Mom and baby are doing great. Here's a picture from the happy parents! 

The Post With No Name

The older I get, the more I realize I know nothing and I am wrong more often than not. But that doesn't stop me from spouting off way too often. I share, advise, critique, and rant. I talk when I should listen. I give my so-called expertise when it wasn't asked for. I judge others for doing some of the same things I do. But of course, I'm doing it because __________ (fill in the blank), so that makes it okay. Not.

I wish I wasn't so loud and opinionated. I wish I could would temper my tongue. I wish I wasn't so snarky and sarcastic. I wish I was one of those sweet, soft spoken women who never has a bad thing to say about anyone. I wish so many things. I've tried hard to change the way I think, the way I speak, the way I act. To the point where I'm not sure who I am anymore. There has to be a middle ground, but I can't seem to find it.

My husband is in a leadership position at church now and I've watched him grow and change in the past several months. It's amazing! Not that he wasn't great before, but he's just so much more now. The change in him has made me see and feel my shortcomings stronger than ever. I want to be more like him. And like Him. I want to look for and recognize the good in others. I want to be filled with love and compassion and charity. I want to not be resentful and jealous when work and church duties take Darrell away from time with me. I want to overcome the natural man--which is alive and well within me.

My solution has been to distance myself from the general population. If I'm not around people, I can better control my natural tendencies. I stay home, I don't go to activities if I can help it, I make my blog private. I've even deleted my Facebook page. But sooner or later, I have to go out into the world. Not to mention that those I love most in the world are still subjected to my "words of wisdom". So I've got to figure out some way of finding a better me. The me the Lord wants me to be. The me I fear I'll never become.

Wish me luck.

Number 7 is Here!

Miss Abigail Anna made her debut this morning--a week early, but we don't mind.  Five lbs, 13 oz and 16.5 inches long.  Mom and baby doing well.  I'm on my way to meet her in just a bit!!

Saturday Shoutouts

Reply...No Reply...That Is the Question

It's Getting HOT.  Where Is Your Baby? 

Can You Hear the Love?

Meet Me on Monday

Welcome to the 66th edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"     Questions:

1.  I wish I had taken better care of myself when I was younger--my skin, my weight, working out, eating healthier.  Maybe those things wouldn't be such a headache now.

2.  If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?  I'm going to agree with Java about Princess Diana's wedding.

3.  Do you like to cook?  Nope!

4.  What do you like to do to get exercise?  Yoga, walking--wish I could run, but the knees won't allow it.  Would also like to Zumba, but I'm too uncoordinated!

5.  How tidy are you?   Used to be pretty anal about things, but with little grandchildren around more often, it's difficult nowadays.  And I'm finding not so important as I used to think.

Saturday Shoutouts

I'm Going to Break Your Heart 

Grace For the Woman Who Doesn't Know 

Saturday Shoutouts

Bragging Rights

Six Words You Should Say Today 

Would You Say a Prayer Today?

Dawn at Bee and Rose has really had a tough couple of years--to put it mildly.  But through all that, she's kept a good attitude and still managed to blog and make me smile.  Her positivity has been an inspiration to me and many others.  Her husband Chilly is in the hospital with kidney failure and congestive heart failure.  Please include Chilly, Dawn, and their children in your prayers today.  We all know how much comfort and strength can come from those prayers.  Thanks.

Saturday Shoutouts

Speechless

25 things i want my daughter to know 

Follow Friday

Welcome to the 72nd edition of Follow Friday 40 and Over!! Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club!
Please join in the fun and get to know your fellow bloggers!!  

Meet Me On Monday

And....we're back!  With MMOM, that is!  Hope you'll join in and help us get to know more about you.  Thanks to Java at Never Growing Old for hosting this!

Questions:

1.  Right now I could really eat .... since I've already had breakfast and have been munching on jelly beans, I honestly can't think of anything.  Maybe a piece of fruit to counteract the jelly beans?

2.  Full length pants or capri's?  Pants, definitely!

 
3.  The best smelling men's cologne (women's perfume for the guys playing) is ....  Nautica (for the time being).  It's what my husband is currently wearing.

 
4.  What is your favorite kind of Cheesecake?    None!  Don't like cheesecake.

Sorry for the poor quality, but love this!

 
5.  What TV Show do you currently never miss?  Lie to Me.  Love that show!  And I've learned a lot about how to know when someone's being 'less than honest'.  It actually may still be on and I'm just forgetting to watch--or maybe I'm being outvoted by someone who prefers the Braves.

Saturday Shoutouts

Stomach Bug Prevention Trick

Amazingly Effective, Nontoxic Fly Repellent


Your Children Want YOU!

Be the One to BE the One 

6

Six years ago today, our oldest child unexpectedly passed away.  The raw grief is gone--most of the time.  What's left is a dull ache.  As much as I'd like to, I don't communicate my feelings--in real life or here--though I've tried several times.  It's so hard to open one's self up like that.  I envy those who can.  I think they heal faster.  How I wish I'd had my blog back when it first happened.  I like to think it would have been easier to write down my feelings, my sorrow, my regrets, my sweet memories.  Who knows if I'd found the courage or not?  And just maybe your comments would have soothed and comforted this mother's heart.  And just maybe I'd be in a better place on this day.   I'm trying--and I'm getting better.  But I've a feeling it's going to take a lifetime.

36!

Happy anniversary to my sweetheart! 

Saturday Shoutouts

Fact: Christian Women Will Hurt You

When Grief Overwhelms


Last Minute Easter Ideas

A Little Rant

Some people these days!  I am just beside myself with aggravation, frustration, and helplessness.  Aggravation because people are so disrespectful.  Frustration because I might have prevented it.  And helplessness because in all reality I couldn't have and can't in the future.

Most of you know I share a flea market booth with a friend.  About a month ago, I purchased two lovely older Windsor chairs off craigslist and took them to the booth.  I put a price tag on each chair--they were to be sold individually, not as a set.  We received our end of month statement yesterday that listed everything that had sold.  Guess what?  My chairs sold!  But wait--that price isn't right.  The buyer (I'm assuming, because why would anyone else do it?) removed the tag from one chair and added an 's' to the other tag.  Basically, the buyer bought one chair and stole the other.  And what can I do about it?  Probably nothing.  I hope she enjoys her chairs and thinks about how she obtained them every time she sits in one.

Another item--a vintage toy--has been played with and broken.  And left in the floor.  An honest person would have paid for it--or at least told the management.   After some of the antics I've observed at the flea market, I'd bet money it was a child let loose to explore while the inattentive parents shopped.

And, to top it off, I found the box which had contained a souvenir ashtray from Washington, DC.  I'm pretty sure my mother bought it on a trip back in the 60s and never used it.  The box I found was empty.  The ashtray had been stolen.  It had to have been, because the price tag was on the box.  The empty box.

I'm so irritated right now, I could spit.  Why do people have to take the joy out of things?  That ashtray was only $2!  The toy was $10--and I would have been satisfied with an apology.  The chairs--that's another story altogether.  I'm trying really hard to not let these things color the fun I've had with the booth these past several months.  If they hadn't happened all on the same day, I'd probably do better.

I'll just give it some time and get over it.  Eventually.  Thanks for listening!

I Did It!

I admit it, I have an addictive personality.  When I started blogging, it consumed all my time.  Then I found Facebook and neglected the blog a bit, but went back to it.  My latest vice is Pinterest.  To the exclusion of just about all else--blog, Facebook, housework, laundry, eating.....

I've got 36 boards--yikes!  I never would have dreamed I had that many.  And 1303 pins!  Though in my defense, some are duplicates.  Because today I started a new board called I Did It!  No sense pinning all this cool stuff and not actually DOING any of it.  Most of the things I've accomplished are recipes--which is a wonder in itself, since I hate to cook.

Do you Pinterest?  Do you pin--or do you DO?  I'm always on the lookout for inspiration, so let me know and I'll follow you.  And feel free to peruse my boards to see what I've been up to!

Where Do I Begin....

Did you read that title with a little tune?  If so, we may be of an age.  If not, you should look it up on YouTube. 

Soooo.....I'm sure you've been wondering what I'm been up to.  Actually, quite a bit.  Let's do a little recap, shall we?

We've made popcorn the old fashioned way.

We've eaten lots of doughnuts!

We've built cool Lego structures!

We've collected lots of fresh eggs from chickens we share with friends.  That big one was a double yolk!

 We've played games on the Kindle.

Don't ya just love my little grandnerds?

And I've done some thrifting!

 $10 for this sweet little chair

 $5 for this side table.  (Look at all that pollen!)  The top had a little damage, so I sanded it down and painted it black.  It's already been sold at my booth!

 

Painted this sweet guy ($10) white and took it to the booth.  If it's still there tomorrow, I'll get a picture.

$5 for this beat up hamper.

After painting it with black paint I already had and adding some wooden appliques, it now sits in my bedroom.  I'm planning on adding a handle to the top.  Been wanting something other than the wicker hamper we've been using for years, but am too cheap didn't want to spend upwards of $75.  I've got maybe $25 in this one!

This mirror has begged--nay, pleaded--for a monogram forevah!  I tried a moss wreath, but it just wasn't working.  Found this huge C at a little boutique downtown.  Didn't get a before picture of the lovely bright blue--or the glitter.  But a quick couple of coats of Oil Rubbed Bronze and some double sided tape and both me and the mirror are happy!

And lastly, some highlights of Xander's room.  It's not done yet, but we're getting there.

 30x24 map from amazon.com ($1), thumbtacked to wall

1x3 (about $3), cut to fit and nailed to wall

 Lampshade recovered with burlap ($4)

Old plywood tabletop ($1), paint I already had

'A' from Hobby Lobby ($2), paint I already had

Used the leftover wood from the map frame to make these (inspired from Pinterest)

Gorilla glued the clips and hung up to hold 'masterpieces'

Whew, makes me tired just reading this.  Think I'll go relax now with some Diet Dew!

Saturday Shoutouts

$4 Gas, $1 Abortions

What You Can do to Help a Grieving Family

Saturday Shoutouts

7 Strategies For Coping With An Irritable Sweetheart Or Spouse

 

 

Saturday Shoutouts

Have We Come a Long Way, Baby?

When It Rains....

....it pours.  Thank you all so much for the kind words, prayers, and support for my family last week.  Darrell and I left Thursday morning for WV, arriving early in the evening.  We spent Friday at my mother's house just talking and catching up with relatives.  It's said there is a silver lining to every dark cloud and that's been proven to me over and over.  If anything good came from my daughter Shana's death, it was the mending of my relationship with my mother.  The past 5+ years have been so healing for my heart--and for hers, too, I like to think.  The silver lining last week was getting to know a brother I've never met before.  He went to live with his paternal grandparents before I was born and while we knew of each other, we've never had occasion to meet until now.  It was so wonderful!  I immediately loved him and his wife--not to mention their grandson Jake!  We had so much in common and I look forward to visiting with them again.

I'm sure you've heard of the tornadoes last week.  While we were at my mother's funeral Friday night, a huge storm came up.  We could hear the thunder, pouring rain, and hail outside.  Luckily, we never even lost electricity and the service proceeded as planned.  Darrell and I had planned to leave after the funeral and headed off in one direction while my sisters and their husbands headed in the other.  We didn't find out until Saturday morning what happened to them after we separated.

The closer they got to my mom's house, the more trees were down, until finally they couldn't go any further.  They parked the car and proceeded on foot, climbing over trees while wearing heels and dresses.  When they finally arrived at the house, it had been hit by a tornado and was almost completely gone.  Next door to my mother's is my sister's house--it was hardly damaged.  On the other side of that house is my other sister's--her house is gone, too.  Almost unimaginable.

Here's the news video that aired Saturday night.  This is my sweet sister Sharon.  Other family members can be seen in the background.  It's hard for me to believe that just a few hours before, I was sitting on that front porch.  Fortunately, their electricity was restored Sunday evening, as it snowed about 3 inches that night.  Please keep these people in your prayers, as well as so many others who have lost homes or family members recently.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/TORNADO_DAMAGE_141329303.html#.T1ONrkKyjCg.facebook

(click on "Woman Says Mother's Funeral Saved Her Life)

I Won't Say Goodbye

My mom died this morning.  She held on for a long time, but there was nothing the doctors could do.  Yesterday was a long, hard day--just waiting, waiting.  I wish I could have been there to hug her one more time and tell her I love her.  We didn't have enough time together.  We were just getting to know each other.  Sometimes life isn't fair.  But I'm so very thankful for the years we did have and the relationship we built in a short time.  You can read more about our story in this post, if you like.  Thanks for your prayers and support.

Prayers Needed

My mother had a stroke overnight and is not expected to make it.  Please keep all of us in your prayers.  Thank you.