our first real snow of the season

How wonderful the world looks around me, in the first snow to stick for this season! 

The trees look like they are carefully frosted. 

The night time is brighter in the white glow.

THINGS I AM LIKING TODAY:

• the fireplace heating up the brick kitchen wall
• watching old vhs movie favorites under a down-filled quilt
• ham leftovers for lunch and dinner
• all the glow of the Christmas tree lights  
• planning for bowling and ice skating with the kids
• my car which gets me safely around and stops well in the snow
• a warm bed to curl up in with soft blankets and cozy flowered pillow case
• a connection to a dear friend at just the right times 
• the newly organized pantry

THINGS I WANT TO DO:

• switch to my new computer desk area set-up
• continue weeding out Christmas decor
• sort more magazines that were hand-me-downs
• hear from a long not seen friend I have reached out to
• set up some clearance sale item listings in my Etsy shop

changes

I have been looking through my old posts about my home and collections.
I think it is a good thing to chronicle the every day things in one's life, it gives perspective.
I have changed.
A lot.
My priorities.
My tastes.
My interests.
My expectations.
Looking at past snapshots of my home tells me a lot more than what is seen in the photos.
It reveals a lot about me... to me!

But on the surface, and as far as what is in the photos, this is what I find--
I have eliminated lots of things in my life mostly by choice, but a tiny few by other circumstances.
For example:
1. Two ugly blue plaid love seats (always hated those), gone. Same for ugly red and blue plaid couch from other room, gone. Both were inherited and they provided a place to sit and no more than that as an attribute.
2. Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and related paraphernalia, also gone for the most part and what is left (about 5% of the original collection), packed away.

3. Dishes, dishes, and more dishes... all inherited and some dragged in the house by other means. Now given away, or donated to charity. Out of my life.

4. Teddy Bears and dolls, but SO much more to get rid of by a variety of means. Always hated the inherited Teddy Bears. Sorry. The dolls, well, way too many. and besides, the girls don't want all those when they are out on their own anyway. Both Teddies and dolls have a lot of emotional guilt attached to them as far as feeling obligated to retain. No more. The guilt curse must be broken. Saying is way more easy than doing. So much guilt of the money that was spent (not by me) on such a non-useful item.

5. Why is it that people ( some direct person in my family tree) felt that spending money on certain things was to be considered an investment for when the stuff came to be mine? I say it was foolish wasteful use of funds. There, I said it. The economy may have been different once upon a time, but I have 2 sayings to conclude this point.
First-- What things are supposedly worth and what people are willing to pay for them are two VERY different points of reality.
Secondly-- Having a lot of useless "valuable" things means you just have to leave more behind when you are homeless.
Don't get me wrong, I am not planning on being homeless. Just sayin'. Think about it, and I think you will agree. In the height of the foreclosure era do you ever drive through an unfamiliar neighborhood and see empty houses and lots of stuff out at the curb? Did they choose to move out of a rental situation and simply did not want all that to follow them to their new destination? Or was it that a well settled family who went through unforeseen unfortunate times and a home foreclosure and had to leave stuff they had (like the 4 kids' favorite games and trophies or family heirlooms from 3 generations ago) because they had just so long to pack what they could fit into their cousins' basement who was kindly enough to take in the family under their crowded roof until something better comes along? I think of this stuff. A lot of my kids' friends have faced this. It's sad.

6. In general, as I look at the past photos of my home, I see that I have lightened the load of thinking that everything that comes into my life, by means other than my choice, does NOT have to stay in my life...or home. I have begun to look at purchasing ANYTHING with a different mindset. I continue to struggle with lightening the load even more. Time is the main factor in this. Sorting is the process. Things need different categories, you know the drill... sell, donate, give away, keep, trash it. Sometimes I think it is easier to just bring in a dumpster like the ones they use when you get a new roof and grab a snow shovel and open a window, start scooping and chuck it all out. YES I AM EXAGGERATING... yet, you get my point.

7. There are many more specifics regarding changes about which items have been used, displayed, or stored within my environment, but the conclusion is... at this stage of my life, less is more. I am utterly and completely comfortable in other people's homes that have lots of furniture and knick-knacks (chatchkies), or paper build up (I will never be free from that myself!), or a lived in slightly untidy cluttered (yet clean) atmosphere. I am absolutely and completely 100% comfortable with that at other people's homes....just not mine...because to me it represents my own expectations with myself and what I want to accomplish for my life.

My family and friends all live somewhere in the middle between an episode of hoarders vs. a sterile surfaced, temperature controlled, air filtered bubble. I don't know anyone personally at either extreme end of that scale. I could never be comfortable anywhere that is an ultra minimalist-type home. I could never live that way nor could I feel cozy to sit for 5 minutes at a home that does live that way. You know the kind... 1)where there are no pictures anywhere, 2) no mail or bills sitting about needing attention, 3)no kid art gracing, maybe, the front of the refrigerator or displayed proudly somewhere prominently, 4) no blanket tossed over the end of the couch, 5) no dish or two waiting to be washed after Sunday brunch ( but if they sit one minute too long I go crazy), 6) no laundry waiting to be done, or 7)no trace of dust (temporarily!!)somewhere near the wood burning fireplace to write your name in along side a smiley face, or..... you get the idea, right?

Life takes me along

I have been so very busy that I find I have been away from the blog for almost a complete month. I needed to stop in and type up some words.

Some days I feel like this....
A stick in a stream being pulled along and trying desperately to avoid the rapids and rocks.

I thought of this example in the car one day when I was being the usual family taxi service, a responsibility I seem to be sentenced to for now. Don't get me wrong, I want to transport my children to the places they need to be and also want them to do some fun things too. I just feel like I am always last on the list of priorities.

I am my (now adult) special needs daughter's transportation when she cannot utilize the county's para-transport system bus. I hope to someday find a reliable person to take my place in this, if not all the time at least some of the time. It is a real tie down to my schedule and life. Please don't think I do not absolutely love her. Any parent of a special needs child knows what I mean.
Transportation is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to responsibilities of managing her day to day life. It all takes dedication of a lot of time to run an organized life of a special needs child, no matter their age or stage of life.

Lots of my so called friends have proved to be "fair weather friends" and have decided they just can't understand what it is like to be in my shoes. I don't ask that. I just ask for them to listen, as I listen to their joys as well as challenges and sorrows with their own children and their own lives too.


Lots has been going on in my own life and in our house too.
I have gone on strike (again) with some household duties--I am only one person, after all-- but most of them seem to be un-noticed anyway.
We have had to do a major home improvement project- not by voluntary choice, I may add, and the timing is pretty bad.
I have been without my job since July 31st, since my boss suddenly died.
I have been without my uncle since he died. He was my boss.
I cared for him 5-7 days per week in his home for 5 years, also including being his driver and companion for all his transportation needs, and doing all his shopping runs by myself, alone.
I will tell you this: It is hard to have a relative as an employer too.
My only other uncle died just 5 weeks after my boss uncle.
I spent some treasured quality time with him in his last few weeks.
I miss them both so much more than I had ever expected.

Now that the frost is covering the neighborhood each morning, I realize that I did not even have time to use my clothesline this summer. Now it's time to stack the firewood closer to the house. The clothesline will be there next summer, waiting.

I find I am not such a fun person these days. I think of all the creative thoughts I had and things I did.
I will get back to all that some day soon.
Just not now.
Life is taking me for a ride down that stream, at a very fast clip.

rough diamond

Finally got N's hair cut yesterday at one of those discount hair cutting places. I had been cutting it at home for several years, since he stopped going with my friend's dad, Mr. S., to the old style barber shop.

I used to help my friend's parents with transportation. Then Mr. S. passed away and Mrs. S. moved 3 hours north into Mi. to live nearer to her daughter, my school friend. I miss them both, I miss them all.

N. has fond memories of sitting with mostly senior men at the barber shop which was like a time capsule, frozen in time. N. had history there as well, being that his very first "real hair cut" as a toddler was done there by Mr. Larry, with Mr. S. looking on. N. was concerned that this new experience would be too girly. After all, there was no smell of that tonic stuff they put on your hair or the "tickle brush" the barber whisked your neck off with. Thankfully I saw his look of relief when another gentleman walked in to wait for his cut.

N. wanted his hair to be "cool". My definition of his current look- "homeless long"- so it was time for a compromise; I would not cut it at home this time since he swears I cut it too short. I was all for "cool" but not when I could not see his blue eyes. Not when he was constantly flinging his head to get it out of his eyes. Not when he was "parting the curtains" of his bangs...that was really not a cool look, I commented incessantly. Not when I truly wondered what the teacher must think of me and my obvious neglect. That's the one that escapes a 10 year old, but not the mother.

I am happy to report the young lady did a bang-up job (haha, bang...bangs!) and my boy looks "way cool"! Maybe it is alright after all to have a young lady cut your hair instead of a stodgy old barber... or your mom.

You can borrow the photo above for your crafting pleasure. Please play nice and don't sell as is. Click to enlarge then right click and save. I love these diamond shaped cards. This one has a slight irregularity in the photo cut on one side. Adds to the charm, I think. I also like the aged grunge on the border. 

friend

To A. H., my best friend through thick and thin since the first day of kindergarten back in 1968. Our last visit, when you were home, was the best in years. I treasure how each hour together was the creation of memories filled with laughter, tears and triumph over life and what it hands us. Your home now in the N.W. is the place you love, but your first home in the mid W. is where you are loved each and every minute.



I selfishly wish you could visit more often and for longer stretches of time. It is important to have at least one friend in your life who sticks with you. You are that kind of friend. We have different lives and responsibilities but we will always have the most important thing in common... we know most of each others flaws, history, family... and love each other in spite of it all, that's pretty special!!

party

(vintage milk glass dishes and aromatic White Pine cuttings from the yard -there are more pine cones but they didn't show in this pic )

The teenagers were here again the other evening, and so the snacks were set out. Snacks never last long with 6 hungry kids- they're always hungry. This was just the center piece and small sweets- white chocolate covered pretzel balls, Snowcaps, inside out Junior Mints, and Tootsie Rolls-, thank goodness for the dollar store! There were bigger bowls of other salty goodies too. Minutes before the party started, 2 huge trays of homemade cookies were sent over from the neighbors..."We heard you were having the teenagers over again!"
Remember when you could eat anything you wanted and never worry about calories?

Karaoke and Rock Band and of all things....they all curled up on the furniture under warm quilts near the crackling fire for a showing of Mary Poppins on video until about 1:30 am !! There was a loud sing along for each and every song. This is a very musical group.

Food and music and they are set!

teenage invasion

I am one of those moms that loves to have the kids (teenagers) gather at my house. That's what happened again over the weekend. Oh the roller coaster ride that is daily mom-to-teens life!

So this was the scene when the old gang was all back together again. Forget what you have heard about baby proofing a room, that's easy. The room that is teenager proofed is much more thought-filled on the part of a mom. You learn these things after the pop is spilled a few times. I wouldn't have it any other way though as I love the noise and laughter that comes with this group. First up was playing Rock Band. Loud. Is there any other way? It is fun to see them sing and play the songs from my teen age years which this Rock Band thing has made cool again! If not for that the teens would say, "Oh that old song. YUK!" But instead "my music" is on their good music list.


Amazingly A. even managed to get some reading time in, and Cali the cat and Jewel the bird looked on as the noise continued. Notice the covers on the furniture which were still trying to come off and have potential pop spill area revealed.

Throughout the night they ate and ate and ate. This goes along with teens and noise. I think teens have a missing switch which tells a brain and stomach "you are full". They went through 3 bags of pizza rolls, most of a 12 pack of pop, chips and salsa, snack mix, chips and a box of cream puffs. So good that the kids always show up with food to share. They have smart moms!! Actually they brought more food than that, and they would have easily eaten it all if it had just been put in front of them! It will be saved for some party to come soon at whichever house they gather. There are plenty of gatherings when food makes things more fun.

N. came home from a day at Scout camp and was thrilled the whole gang was there and stuff was in full swing.  N. loves to hang out with the teens --and what 9 year old little brother wouldn't? Luckily the teens happily allow him to hang out with them. No problem.

After Rock Band time was done it was time to bring out the karaoke machine and everyone got super silly!! And did I mention the noise level? Loud!

Friends hamming it up with the microphone.

Once again, a modern invention makes the old songs from my time seem cool!

It cracks me up when the teens think a song is new when it is used in a current movie or is done by a new artist as a remake. I always have to be a lame parent and say, "Hey that is actually from the 1970s and I was in (fill in the blank) grade in school during those years, and my friends were...Blah blah blah..."

Like I said- lame parent.

The singing continued until about 10:00 and then they settled in for some movie time.

And more food.

The gang all left about midnight and I sent the leftover and unopened food and pop back home with them, along with their imported entertainment devices (karaoke and Rock Band). I love that they have so much fun, and how lucky am I that all I have to provide is the home (with covered furniture) and the electricity (for all the loudness)!!

I hope they come back again next weekend. 

Paper posie surprise

I gave my friend, Sharon, some of my Paper Posies. She was so creative and surprised me with this...

She used my handmade brightly colored posies and embellished them with a spray glitter (which I love! *my brain gears are turning*) and then made them into this!!

 Maybe you could make some posie bouquets, I know where you can find some posies!

 I will continue to supply the Paper Posies.  I am wrapping my brain around the idea of glittering some of my posies!! After all, you can't go too wrong with glitter...on just about anything!

Thank you Sharon, for my posie creation. I smile each time I look at it!!

fabric magic

The story below was written by my best friend.

My very bestest friend, since 1968 !!

She lives by her sewing machine. I mean that figuratively and literally. For years now she has lived surrounded by mountains and next to a twisting turning river- in the N.W. - in a cozy little cabin house which allows her to say she is always within a few short steps from her sewing machines. She is a professional seamstress and fabric artist. Highest quality constructed clothing for adults and children, bags and quilts are a few of the items she has designed. She has sold many of her patchwork clothing creations to people around the world.
She is a firm believer in reusing fabric and trims and button and lace and other good things to put together one of a kind absolutely beautiful items to be cherished forever.

[ Some of my own fabric stash I scanned]

"Ever notice how when you drink a glass of (lots of ice) water that eventually it is gone? When you stick a straw in a milkshake and suck on the straw, eventually you RUN OUT of milkshake, no matter how much you love it? Well, then how come no matter how much I sew and sew and sew and sew and make skirt after skirt after top after hoodie, my fabric stash never shows a dent in it?
Am I living on top of a fabric geyser, like Yellowstone, and it just keeps replenishing itself from underneath somewhere? Is there a fabric river somewhere and my house is the eddie where all the fabric washes out like sand?
Is this just the area of my life where I have manifested abundance? Is fabric magic??? I'm thinking maybe "Yes" because all I want to do is sew this fabric and go to the thrift store and get more fabric and visit my storage to see what fabric is there. In other words, I am sure having fun sewing. (Good thing, 'cuz I have fabric to use up.)"
- A. H.

I was in the fabric store and I heard two elderly adorable old ladies saying,

"Will you ever use up ALL your fabric?"

"No way. Because every time I use one piece I get to buy 2 more!!"

That scene will be repeated between my friend and me some day.

ATCs for a special person

[You can click on the image above to enlarge it and see more detail.]

I have been terrible about getting birthday mail out to the post office for my dear ones BEFORE their birthdays.

I made these ATC's (which means artistic trading cards) and they are in the mail this very minute, but late. I need to get my butt in gear, in the future.

1968 and Thumbelina

I have been so impressed with all the beautiful Marigolds where ever I go this summer. It made me think of these pictures my Mom took in 1968. She always had big, beautiful, vigorously blooming Marigolds. I don't do well growing them. I know they are one of the less fussy flowers to grow. Still, they elude my thumb - green or otherwise.

Speaking of thumb-- my favorite childhood doll, Thumbelina, is in one of these pictures.  She was like a sweet friend and provided plenty of hugs!!

Me in 1968 in front of my house.
Me holding Thumbelina, my friend Joan that lived next door, my friend Becky from down the street. Joan moved after 6th grade. Becky moved after high school.

Thumbelina. Well, VERY well loved and played with. She was much more pretty before I cut off her hair thinking it would grow back...that's how you learn.

Generations Stitch Us Together

This is Mr. S. holding my boy N. at an honest to goodness old time barber shop.

They have had their hair cut together since N's first time.

Mr S. is my Friend's Dad. My friend and I met in 7th grade. You can see L. the barber and just a sliver of Mrs. S. in the reflection of the mirror.

Mr S. has Macular Degeneration (eyes) and Dementia. Since their daughter, my friend, lives about 3 hours away in Michigan. I help them by driving them around town to the barber, the store and doctor appointments. I take Mr. S. to/from respite daycare two days each week. I have even sat in the E.R. and hospital rooms with them. I am so very glad to be able to help them.

My kids are very good at adopting Grandparent figures, so they are often involved too.
My friend's sister recently moved to Michigan.

They would like their parents to be near them. To help them.
Mrs. S. is having a difficult time shifting gears as she has been in her home here for 50 some years. A huge life event to move everything you know as familiar. Everyone involved knows it is for the best. But, there sure are a lot of raw emotions floating in the air for everyone involved.

Over the years while I have spent time at appointments and such with Mr and Mrs S. I have carried along fabric scraps and have sewn yo-yo's to make into a quilt. {Click where "yo-yo's is underlined to learn the history of this type of quilt.}

You know "Idle hands..."
The project has always been a great conversation starter to be sure!!!

This is our cat lounging on the yo-yo quilt at home.

These are some sections that I flopped on the scanner to show you. The result of helping my friend's parents has yielded a yo-yo quilt the size of a double bed. ALL HAND STITCHED.

Generations do stitch us together.

I got a bonus far beyond a quilt ~~ No value can ever be placed on the relationship my kids and I share with Mr and Mrs S. -- my 7th grade friend's parents. It's priceless.

When they make the move North to be with their daughters, we will have forever all the memories ~~and a quilt that stitched us all together!!

Girls' Day Out

My friend Sharon and I had a wonderfully fun "girls day out" yesterday! We met at a restaurant and had a yummy lunch. When I go to any restaurant that has French onion soup with cheese melted on top I just have to order it. After we filled our tummies we went thrifting. We need to go back again soon because time seemed to race by.
We found some tiny clear glass bottles ( one for each of us ) for cheap - so we can do altered art bottles. We saw some awesome examples on the web and we want to try it. Is yours done yet Sharon? You've had a whole 24 hours; I expect great things!!
We found a vintage first grade book of sheet music to use for altered art. It is filled with illustrations and the scrawling handwriting of , I presume, the music teacher on many of the 50 pages! My scheming mind is filing away ideas for these perfectly yellowed pages. I promise I will not keep all the pages for myself. The potential of the printed music must be spread around to my fellow altered art friends.
The picture above is scanned from the book.
You know, they say that when girlfriends get together there are natural endorphins that are released for a kind of happy, high feeling. I was feeling pretty high; how 'bout you, Sharon?