Lots On My Mind

First, I have decided to take the plunge and tackle one of the things on my "bucket list" now...well, not now, as in right this minute but now as in sometime this week. I went and bought a book on how to quilt and since I already had some squares that I bought on Ebay, I think I'm going to make a throw for my youngest. She's pretty forgiving if things don't turn out perfect, and she's kinda outgrown her "barney".

Her "barney" is a toddler sized comforter with Barney on it that is well-worn and well-loved. When she was very little, "My barney" referred to the actual blanket, not who was on it. The color purple was also "barney", as were purple paint chips in the store. We used to find them everywhere in our house because every time we went to a store that had paint, she wanted some "barneys".

The youngest loves the size of her "barney", but has outgrown the material. Barney just isn't cool for an 11 year old. So, I think it's time for something new and comfy and definitely more cool. ;) The squares that I have are bright oranges and pinks and greens, very girly and very cute! Nothing fancy for the first one, despite the wild ideas I got from going through the book, a simple square pattern. I will post a pic when I get it done.

My other endeavor this next week is to paint my living room and dining room. I'm going to try doing something with texture to cover the major imperfections, and try to save some money. I'll definitely post pics of the progress on this huge project! My mom gave me 5 gallons of a tan-beige-sandy type color, which will really brighten up the room. It's a dark wood paneling now, and since we keep the curtains drawn to cut down on the heating/cooling bill, it can use some lightening up! The hubby will be gone, so it's the perfect time to do this.

Now something fun....tea. I forgot how much I love tea. Here in the South we usually have our tea iced and in a glass, but I like mine hot and in a mug also. My mother-in-law and I had tea over the Christmas holidays and it was a wonderful experience. I got my grandmother's tea pot out of the china hutch and we had "High Tea" even though with all of the events of the day it was almost supper time. We had Biscotti that Mom brought to share and discussed all kinds of topics like faith, family, and travel. It was a great way to unwind from the activities of the day/season and really made me appreciate our relationship again.

I gave my youngest a porcelain tea set that I found on sale at a local book store. It came with rhymes and poems about tea. One in particular I really enjoyed.

A Cup of Tea

When the world is all at odds

And the mind is all at sea

Then cease the useless tedium

And brew a cup of tea.

There is magic in its fragrance,

There is solace in its taste;

And the laden moments vanish

Somehow into space.

And the world becomes a lovely thing!

There's beauty as you'll see;

All because you briefly stopped

To brew a cup of tea.

-Traditional

Isn't that a lovely sentiment that there is peace and solace lying at the bottom of a tea cup?

The final topic for now is how blessed I feel in my life. I have been thinking about this a lot lately. We have our problems just like any normal family. Money is always a concern, but we always manage to find a way through to the tunnel, and so far the light wasn't attached to a train. ;) I have a wonderful loving husband, and the fact that he loves me so much makes up for the little things that tend to get under my skin. I have great children. We have a small place out in the country, where we can find peace and quiet. Through it all, I have been truly blessed!

Happy New Year, everyone! May you all find your own kind of peace this year!

Free

Free...it's one of my favorite words. We have received quite a few things recently "free". Basically, we let our friends and family know that if anything is going to be given away, we might be interested.

In the last couple of weeks, we've gotten a 11 foot x 14 foot rug. The people who originally bought it paid about $2200 for it on sale. The best part about it is that the rug actually matches the colors that I'm doing in the livingroom.

I also got several loads of mulch for the flower bed free, courtesy of our county. It was a great early Christmas gift, especially since part of it was ground up cedar and it just made everything smell wonderfully! I'm thinking about calling them and letting them know that if they ever need to dump more, I'd be willing to take it!

Our barn was basically free. We had to buy a few 2x4's, some screws, and a couple of other odds and ends, but other than that it was all donated material.

Yes, free is one of my favorite words!

My Bucket List

I've seen the previews for a movie called "The Bucket List" (I think) with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The basic concept is these two old guys have a list of things they want to do before they kick the bucket. It got me to thinking, even though I'm still young what is my bucket list?
So, here goes....in no particular order

1. Travel outside of the US (anywhere as long as it's not here!)
2. Travel to Ireland
3. travel to Australia
4. see the Great Wall of China
5. Go to Germany on a genealogy trip
6. go fossil hunting
7. go on an archaeological dig
8. go to the grand canyon
9. go to Washington DC
10. go back to Disney World
11. go to Montana
12. have a white Christmas in a cabin in the mountains
13. go scuba diving in the ocean
14. swim with dolphins, preferably in the wild
15. see a bear and elk in the wild...not up close mind you! Thru binoculars would be fine.
16. learn to quilt
17. learn to fly a plane
18. see California
19. see cave writings/ rock art
20. volunteer at a living history farm

That's all I can think of for now. What's your bucket list?

Adrenaline Crash

I have been running on pure adrenaline the last couple of weeks, trying to make Christmas perfect for everyone, that the last couple of days I can barely move. I've slept late, stayed in my robe all day, and haven't done much more than keeping the kitchen straightened up.

The youngest has a head cold, so that's been a good excuse not to have to go anywhere.

I've been debating about something. I put an application for a job, and ever since then, I've been wondering if it's the right thing to do. I'm not sure if my debating is me trying to let myself down easy in case I don't get it or if I'm really torn about the whole thing. The money would be nice, and the benefits are good. The kids are going back to public school next year, so we'd only have a few more months of worrying about that. I'm just not sure if I want it or not. I do but I don't...does that make sense? It is going to be a huge inconvenience for the family in the beginning, because I'll be gone a lot for training. I may be worrying for nothing, because they're supposedly going to have the position filled by Jan. 15th and I haven't been called for an interview yet.

All God's Creatures, Great and Small

Our latest adventure on the farm is a sick chicken. My youngest and my mother-in-law discovered her lying in the chicken pen. The other chickens were attacking her. My mother-in-law (the self-professed "city girl") rushes in to protect her until I can get there. It didn't look good for the poor soul, but the looks on the two hero's faces sets me to action. I ask Mom if she can hand her out to me, as the poor hen was in a difficult spot. Mom gives me this "you've got to be kidding" look, but with sheer determination, picks her up and hands her to me over the fence.

I took the poor thing into the kitchen where I mix up some antibiotic water and literally spoon feed the mixture to the hen. I've never force fed a chicken before, nor have I seen it done, but we managed just the same. I added a little sugar to the mixture, and in short time she's a little perkier. My youngest heats some left-over mashed potatoes in the microwave and the hen really perks up. She manages to stand and eat most of the potatoes. Mom and the youngest were on chicken guard duty while I went and prepared a cage.

We set her up in isolation in our mud room in a wire cage with table scraps and medicated water. She did ok for a couple of days, when back down she goes. By this time all of the extended family had gone back home. I sit most of the day yesterday with her wrapped in a towel in my lap, spoon feeding her sugar/ medicated water. She is now living in the kitchen in our make-shift brooder with a small space heater, table scraps and medicated sugar water. She's standing on her own two feet, has managed to eat a bit and is very interested in the water.

I'll keep you updated on her progress.

Christmas is over....

...and we survived! The kids woke up about 5:30. The got all the grandparents up before they came to knock on our door. The hubby put them off to about 6 a.m., but then we went ahead and got up. The hubby wanted to slow the present opening down just a bit, so that we could get pictures of everyone, so it was a good thing we got up that early. We just finished breakfast and got the turkey on when more family started to arrive. All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas, as I knew it would be.
The homemade gifts were a big hit. I don't think my daughter has put the doll down since she opened it. The ponchos were oohed and ahhed over as well. My mother-in-law got me a box of horseshoes for the hubby to make things out of. One of the things she put on the card was a beautiful cross, so I think that's the first one I'm going to ask for.
The family has now all left, most of the mess is cleaned up. And there's now time to breathe again! I hope everyone else's Christmas was just as wonderful as ours!

Look at my dolly

This is going to be a quick post. I still have a lot of little things to get done today before family gets here.

I wanted to post a picture of the doll that I crocheted for my youngest.

I haven't given her a name yet. I thought I'd leave that to her new mommy. ; )

The hubby just called, asking if I've started on my list of to-do's. He said that he saw the cutest sign. A clean house is a sign of a broken computer. Ain't it so, ain't it so! ; )

I think I might start making dolls. I've seen some of the cutest little things, and apparently there is a book available. Too bad my girls are outgrowing toys. I could still make one or two for them to put on their shelves. My youngest and my mother-in-law collect dolls. After Christmas, I may just have to check out that book!

Well, I really need to go get things done! It would be a shame for all that work over the last couple of weeks go to waste just because I can't get motivated today!

Merry Christmas everyone!

They're coming!

Just one more day before family descends upon us. We're ready...mostly. I still have to clean the frig out, do laundry (I've always got to do laundry!!!) and go to the grocery store. Not bad for a list that started as a full page long. I've even got 98% of the presents wrapped.

We watched A Christmas Carol last night. It kinda reminds you of what's important in life....friends, family, etc.

Well, today is going to be a short post. Here's another picture from our trip to the Dickens festival.

Merry Christmas to all, if I don't get a chance to post again!

Nothing too heavy today. I'm in a light-hearted mood. My shopping is done, most of the presents are wrapped, and there are just a few more things on my to do list. I feel good about the gift choices I made this year. I love the Ebay commercial that says don't just give a gift, give a gift that says "I get you." I think I accomplished that this year. ; )

Here are some of my favorite photos from a trip we took to a Dickens era holiday festival.

I just thought this was such an interesting picture. They were taking wreaths made from rope to a stall to sell.

This one I call "Playing for the Crowd." The two older boys in the background had been playing all morning. It was finally the little one's turn. He was quite good, by the way.

And here they were tying off the rigging. They started at the very top and climbed their way down. It made my stomach do flip-flops just watching them!

We had a great day and are already looking forward to going back next year. We've also planned some camping trips for this spring. I forgot how much I love the coast!

Some ideas to make it go further

We've all had those years where for some reason or another funds were tight. Maybe there was illness, or an unexpected loss of a job, or more recently the price of gas. Here are some things that I've done in the past to make my dollar go further.

1. Dollar Stores - We've bought some really good things at the dollar store (the ones where everything's a dollar or less). I've even found some good items for the adults on my list. My mother-in-law loves classical music and I've found her some CDs there. Journals, calendars, pens, jewelry, books, candles, etc. all make good "filler" gifts. I also buy my wrapping paper and gift bags there.

2. We don't put out any gifts until Santa comes. That way the kids don't have time to count how many things there are. They go from nothing under the tree to BOOM! The surprise factor really helps.

3. I make as many gifts as possible. Crafts aren't always cheap, but a little creativity can go a long way. My mom collects oil lamps. One year I found some at the dollar store. I put beads inside and tied raffia around the necks. It really dressed them up, especially since she wasn't going to burn them anyway. We've also made decorative stepping stones. I type "cheap crafts" or "cheap gift ideas" in a search engine and then choose the best gift for the person I'm making it for.

4. Have Christmas with someone else. We've done Christmas morning with grandparents or aunts and uncles. Then there's gifts from you, from Santa, and from the grandparents, etc. all under the tree at once.

5. My hubby and I have waited to exchange gifts after the first of the year when we get our income tax refund. We still have stuff to open because our parents give us gifts.

6. Clearance shopping. I've hit the mother lode this year with things on clearance. The hubby and my dad are both hunters. Stores have started marking things down because deer season is almost over. The other thing is my middle daughter like camo.....BINGO!

7. Here's one of my favorites. Once the kids got a little older, we included them in the gift giving tradition. We make a list of who's going to be at our house on Christmas morning. Then we give them the money and everyone piles into the van to go shopping at the Dollar Store. Adults are available to help, but the kids choose the gifts, pay for the gifts and then wrap the gifts. My kids don't get an allowance throughout the year, even though they are expected to do chores, so this is another way of rewarding them. They do a pretty good job at picking out things they know the recipient will love. It's more gifts under the tree, and it allows them to focus more on giving than receiving.

8. My mom used to (and probably still does) buy things all year. If she finds a good price on something she picks it up and puts it away for Christmas. I'm not that disciplined, but it might work for someone else. ; )

9. I always try to buy at least one thing on the kids' lists that they really want. Then they're so excited about that that they forget about the other things. Make sure to collect the lists so they can't go back and compare! ; )

10. More is better. We buy one big gift and bunch of little gifts. By big, I don't mean expensive, I mean size. The more they have to open the bigger they remember Christmas being. Again...Dollar stores! Also, something I learned from my mom, I wrap everything individually. Instead of a box of makeup, I wrap the eyeshadow, the blush, etc.

God answered our prayers and Christmas worked itself out this year. I hope he answers yours too!

It's not all about me

I've been watching Joyce Meyers and the last couple of teachings that she's done is entitled "It's Not All About Me". Her basic message is that God has His own timetable and His own plan, and that us worry worts need to sit back more and enjoy the ride. HMMMM.... that one really hits home. She talks about selfish people, but she also talks about people who love to give...well, that really got me to thinking.

I consider myself a giving person. I pattern (as best I can) my life after my grandfather who I really admired. My grandparents didn't have much, but whatever they had they were willing to give away. All you had to do was mention that you needed something and it was going home with you. This is a good trait, but what got me thinking is that sometimes I give so much it takes away from others trying to give to me.

Let me explain. Money has been really tight the last couple of years. Not as tight as in the past, but there's not a lot for extras. This year, I'm so worried about the hubby and kids and extended family, and their happiness, that I told the hubby not to worry too much about spending money on me. I wasn't trying to be a martyr, I just worry about other people's happiness first. But, what got me thinking is that I'm taking away his joy because he loves giving too. I had good intentions but was just a bit misguided.

So, my early New Year's resolution is to put more in God's hands. I worry so much, and it's really starting to show on my health, and worrying doesn't change much anyway. It's hard, but I'm working on it.

Now my next promise to myself is to try to enjoy the season more. I just haven't been able to get in the mood, between money and cleaning for company to come and...don't laugh... the cats. Yes, I said the cats. They are DESTROYING my Christmas tree. Right now we have 4 cats. The kitten goes to her new home this weekend. Another cat goes to her new home Christmas day. One more cat goes as soon as we find her a good home. And one stays here. I finally compromised with the cats and took all of the breakable ornaments off of the tree. Me, getting old and set in my ways, I'm not really happy about the situation. Of course, the breakable ornaments are my favorites, so the tree doesn't look the same. I keep telling myself to get over it, that I'm a creative person who'll come up with something just as good, but I'm not really convinced. Isn't it funny that the kitten sleeping in the tree is cute, but the cat sleeping in the tree is infuriating? ; )

We get paid tomorrow, so I'm going to go finish the Christmas shopping. I've done quite a bit of dollar store shopping and I've picked up some deals on clearance. I got some really cute purses on clearance for a $1. I even got a matching hat for one of the girls off of the same clearance rack. We try to make the kids each a homemade gift each year. My youngest is still clinging to childhood desperately, and she asked for a doll. I found the cutest doll crochet pattern that I was able to make for $2 for the fiberfill. I used yarn that I had from previous projects. The doll turned out beautifully. I know she'll love it, even just as an addition to her doll collection, whether she plays with it or not. For the older two, I making ponchos. The oldest one's was free (saving yarn pays off), which is good because I have to buy all of the yarn for the middle one's.

This weekend we're going to a local park that decorates for Christmas, and it's all free to the public. On the weekends they have hot cocoa and cookies, hayrides, and entertainment. We're all really looking forward to it!

Well, I guess I better get started if I want to get finished with the heavy cleaning by this weekend. I want to spend next week wrapping gifts so that can be done before my parents get here Thursday. (Yep, she's moved the time table up.) I usually spend most of my time wrapping while they're here and this year I want to focus more on the holiday.

Christmas Present

Our kitten taking a nap in our tree.






Are you as tired of all the commercials for the "perfect" Christmas gifts as I am? You can't escape them! Retailers want us to believe that the only way to show our love is to go into quadruple digit debt for each member of your family. The ads really bother me the years that money is extremely tight and I'm already on edge about the family's happiness.



I wish I could be more secure about the whole thing. I know I have wonderful children and they're going to love whatever we give them. I know that our children's love isn't attached to a price tag. Things always work out...so why do I have this knot in my stomach? I think i'm going to make that a New Year's resolution, worry less and leave more in God's hands.


We only have about a week before the family starts flocking to our house. I have sooooo much to do before they get here. Isn't it funny how we try to go out of our way to make your house perfect for people you see every day just because it's the holidays? I haven't decorated as much this year as I usually do. I love Christmas and decorating, but hate taking it all down! This year we decided to make things a little more simple and decorate less.

Christmas Past

I've been scanning photos to share our collection with our oldest, who's moved away from home. I came across these old photos of past Christmas seasons.

Things have changed quite a bit in the past 30 something years!