Monday

Outside my window: it is grey and dreary but there is a pretty red cardinal looking for food.
I am thinking: you don't know how much stuff you have until you think about packing it up and putting it in a smaller house (yikes)
I am thankful for: this past weekend. so much fun to paint/create with my besties and then relax with them and have someone else cook dinner
I am wearing: black sweats and a grey and black tshirt
I am remembering: how my Mom would sit drinking coffee with her feet up...thinking about "how things are and how they would be if they were different"
I am hearing: the hum of the dishwasher, washer, and dryer...the sound of something being accomplished
I am going: to the grocery store (whoo hoo)
I am reading: just finished Bill O'Reilly's Killing Lincoln and ready to start Killing Kennedy.
From the learning rooms: He is still working on me.
I am hoping: that my mustard seed of faith is growing
On my mind: having to keep the house ready to show ready each day
Pondering these words: should I stay or should I go now
From the kitchen: not much. haven't been in the mood to cook.
Around the house: the to do list is long
One of my favorite things: seeing the first signs of spring
Photo memory: from Sacramento, CA

Buddy

Preview of Buddy's senior pic. I am glad it is about over. It has been a long hard battle with the Mad Co school system. Although it is not all their fault. The crazy gov't can't make up its mind whether special needs kids should be in a centralized location or their home school. This means that Ryan has been shuffled in and out of 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools. Not exactly easy for kids who have difficulty with change!

Tattoo

Oh no. Not me. I would be done at the smell of the rubbing alcohol. Then add in pain and blood. Ugh. This is Tdawg's tat.

Vases

A friend of mine gave this vase for Christmas. It is a hand dripped melted crayons. Really cool effect.

From Pinterest...I took a plain vase and glue glass beads to it and glazed it. I used Christmas lights and it is a great night light!

Panic Attack

Anxiety my old friend. You take away my joy and my rest. My devotional today quoted Corrie Ten Boom: "Worries carry responsibilities that belong to God, not you. Worry does not enable us to escape evil; it makes us unfit to cope with it when it comes." So true. Some days, I am trusting and good to take life one day at a time. But other days, I start stressing about the future to the point of panic attacks. I am reminded of my Dad. He once asked me: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. He was trying to tell me to concentrate on the now of the goal and the results will follow.

Bag of Junk

What to do with a bag of broken tiles left over from some long ago project? Well I ran across these small trays at HL. I stained them.

And then arranged the tiles:

And then grout:

And then seal the grout:

Now they are trays for my makeup and perfume. Pretty cool and really easy. Just a bit time consuming.

Boots 2

I love boots! This is the other pair, also about $20. I don't know why I get excited about boots. I just like flip flops, tennies and boots. What else could you possibly need? Well, fuzzy slippers too.

Be Still

Thursday was one of those " Be Still" days. I had a list of things to accomplish. But after breakfast, I felt like I ran into a brick wall. I went back to bed and stayed there all day. I had the wildest dreams. In one of them, the doorbell rang. I knew that it wasn't real...we don't have a doorbell! Each dream ended abruptly and another started, so it felt like I was dream surfing. Thankfully I feel much better today.

Wandering in the Rain

Wandering in the rain. It sound like fun. But 65S to the Ham yesterday was a test of my driving ability and strength of my nerves. It wasn't a sprinkle...it was a torrential downpour! The big trucks sprayed water and crazy drivers with bald tires made it Mr. Toad's wild ride. Riding the Chipmunk as a kid at at Lakeside Amusement park wasn't this scary! Don't believe me? I saw three cars hydroplane and sail off the interstate. I calmed my nerves by shopping at Target. Then a nice long leisurely BBQ lunch with Tdawg. Thankfully, the drive home was not as nerve wracking. I am happily watching it rain, knowing that I do not have to drive anywhere today.

Earring Project

This is such a simple idea...but a great one. It is a screen attached to the back of a frame. Not only can you see all of your earrings (and get to wear them all)...but with my wide variety of earrings, it is a work of art! Thanks so much DDM for a great Christmas gift!!

Positive Week 1

This has been such a good week. I was diligent on my positive decisions. Minimized my negative choices. Had a great day of wandering. I have pared down my wardrobe quite a bit. Got rid of piece that don't fit, I don't wear, I don't like. I noticed that I need to replace some of the worn out basics. (still in search of the perfect bra) I was trying for the 30 pieces challenge. Still can't quite figure which 30 pieces to have/keep. Also picked up some project finishers. I got the yarn and finished the blue/green scarf. Hooray! Maybe this year will be the year of completions!! I am so completion oriented. That would probably make me feel in sync.

Boots

I found some boots. With the coupon and waiting until they were on clearance...less than $40! that's for two pairs!!

Scarf project

Well, I think this scarf is going to stay with me.

Six Million Dollar Man

My buddy, GH (age 71) has degeneration disease. So far he has had both knees and one hip replaced. Yesterday, he had his right shoulder replaced. Of course, he had to be there at 8am. The surgery got started at noon...two hours late. And then he was in recovery twice as long as they originally said. So he didn't get to a room until after 3pm. Sometimes I wonder if hospital folks have any concept of time. I know it isn't their fault. Just seems that time passes oh so slow when you are concerned about a loved ones well-being. One odd thing happened as I was going in. A man in a wheelchair with the hospital gown, bandages and all asked me how I was doing. Really? Well, obviously, I think I am doing better than you are. But he was just happy as could be. It struck me that it is all about an attitude of gratitude! Maybe he was actually the one doing well.

Itchy Scarf Probz Solved

Red Heart yarn is inexpensive but scratchy. Thanks to SK and Pinterest for this helpful hint. Soak the scarf in baby shampoo and hot water. Rinse. Then soak in hair conditioner and hot water. Rinse and dry. It made the scarf a lot softer and smells great!

Crazy for Crochet?

I have been crocheting as well. I saw this cool bracelet on Pinterest. It is a basic single crochet (about 7 times around your wrist). And then braid it in a wobble knot pattern. Looked hard at first, but then I remembered that I did this exact same knot in girl scouts. Once a girl scout...always a girl scout! The color variation of the yarn makes it look better than it really is.

Knit Whit

I hate watching tv without something to do. So, I have been knitting. I originally made one for myself...and it ended up being a Christmas present. So I picked another color and knitted another one, with the same result. I really liked this one, but I gave it to my sister. I will just have to knit another one (do I sense a pattern?)

2013

I don't make resolutions. But I do set goals and persevere to change a bad behavior long enough for it to become a good habit. 2013 is my year of sowing seeds of faith, love and hope in my garden of joy. A year of gratitude. A year of doing more, with less. For leaving baggage behind. Saying goodbye to drama. I'm glad to see 2012 in the rear view mirror... time to move on. Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.

2012 Reflections

It has been an interesting year. Every weekend in January and part of February I was in a different motel in a different state looking at colleges with Tdawg. Some good, some not so good. It was definitely emotionally draining. But nice to spend some time with Tdawg. By March, he had made his decision: Birmingham Southern College. It is a very prestigious college...one of the best in the nation. He was awarded a partial academic scholarship and welcomed onto the football team. New Years' day, Cletus broke his foot and was not able to travel with us. And about the time he got his cast off, the doctor finally decided that my foot (heel) was broken. Many weeks in a boot and a lot of pain later, I was pronounced cured (not so sure about that). So, the spring was just a blur of activity...mostly leading up to graduation. Tdawg graduated in May and I got out of the boot(in July) And the summer went by even faster. Buddy and I managed a short trip to the beach with a work friend and her daughter. She had the room, we just had to drive down and sleep on the sofa bed. Well worth it. The weather was gorgeous and it was ultra relaxing. By the time we got back, it was time for Tdawg to pack for college. It was a Herculean task. But he moved in early August and started football practice. To keep me calm, after we dropped Tdawg in Birmingham, we headed down to the beach. I cried about halfway to the beach. Tough to have them so dependent on you and then not. I did better than I thought I would. This trip to the beach, I checked parasailing off of my bucket list. It was awesome. I have always wanted to fly like a bird and this is probably the closest I'll ever get. Of course, I am a little afraid of heights (and falling from a long way up) but it was so much fun! The fall went by faster than the summer. We spent almost every weekend on the road watching Tdawg play football. He eventually made the varsity squad and they won their conference. So, he will be getting a ring. I'll definitely take pics when he gets it. Despite all of the traveling. I did a lot of projects around the house. I painted every room (except over the stairs). I retiled a table that was my mother's. And of course did a lot of small art projects. And Bible studies. Good to keep grounded in this crazy mixed up world! Being unemployed all year has been tough...but all in all, not a bad year. It will be interesting to see what 2013 holds. Buddy graduates this year. And we may move to a smaller place. Other than that...who knows.

Wandering

Wandering is one of my favorite pasttimes. All who wander are not lost and you never know what you might find.  We ventured up to Lynchburg for fun.  I was searching for boots.  Hubby found tshirts...or they found him.  We came back by Fayetteville and stopped at Castaways.  A good Southern restaurant has tea...

Happy New Year

Happy 2013! Can't say I'm going to miss 2012.

No resolutions for me. Just need to trust Him more and worry less.

I will try to do-better and blog more often.