Good Morning

Yesterday was my first full day home in I don't know HOW long! It felt so good...even if I did have clean! I have a bunch of pictures to share from the last few days, so let's see what was happening...


We had DH's family over for Christmas on Saturday...I think there were 30 of us! We pack into the livingroom to open presents. This is the room we took the carpet out from, can you see the floors?








Sunday, my son got to use his birthday present; tickets to the Buffalo Bills vs NY Giants football game. He's a Giants fan. It was DH, DS, and Grandma and Grandpa...they should have took the Ark! Nancy Jo, do you recall the the weather in the Buffalo area Sunday? For those of you who missed it, it was about 30 degrees, raining BUCKETS of ice cold water and the wind was howling at a hefty 50 mph! DS LOVED the game! So sad to have missed all the fun (?), but DD and I stayed home to finish Christmas gifts that will be shown later. Yes, I seem to always be working at the last minute.

Christmas Eve was spent at my mom and dad's. It is a small little gathering as I am an only child. I may be partial to those two lovely people I am blessed to have as my parents, but it is my favorite gathering as they know with all their hearts the true meaning of Christmas. I have only an inkling of how they cried and prayed and labored until I knew the true meaning also.
We make a whole day out of Christmas Eve when the men don't have to work, and that was the case this year. The kids love grandma's stockings...and the goodies...



I even got ma's present finished; my first appliqued wall hanging:

My dad has the best sense of humor, I should find my prom pictures when he's wearing the funky painters hi-tech breathing mask!

Mom and dad floored me though with my gift: What a suprise...I did get some sewing in yesterday afternoon...it's dreamy!

DD got us up at 5:30 Christmas morning! DH loves his fleece tie blanket we made the Sunday he was freezing at the football game!

I think Jazzy had a good time too; she opened her gift Christmas Eve. She does look ready for the hustle and bustle to die down! I hope you all had as lovely and loving of a Christmas as we did. Now I must go visit my new baby...there are goodies to be made!
~Blessings!

A Gift of Love

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, I surely did. Lots of family and love and food and fun. I want to back up and show you a lovely quilt that was made for a lady that has worked in our school kitchen for 30 years. She is retiring as of Christmas vacation so another co-worker wanted to make her a quilt. I made some of the blocks, and Cathy made the rest and put it together. I loved how it came out and Lynda, our retiree, seemed to love it.

Ornaments

I thought it would be fun to show each other some of our ornaments on the tree. I can't necessarily say these are my favorites, I have so many, but they made nice pictures.

This is Linus from Charlie Brown Christmas...he quotes the Bible and tells about when Jesus is born like in the show...it totally melted my heart and had to come home with me this year.

This was a gift from a friend last year. I think it beautiful, especailly as it is lit up by putting a bulb in the back.

Yes, the moose find their way into the tree also!
Quite a few to remind me of when the children were small...



And bulbs to fill in every space in between!

We've had a good 6 to 8 inches of snow in the last 6 hours; but I suspect it will all be cleaned up by tomorrow and there will be school. A big storm coming in Sunday could change our plans for traveling to a family Christmas party.

Hope you are all warm and safe!
~Blessings

Beginning to Feel Like Christmas

We are having our first Christmas Party today... my BFF from high school, her hubby and 4 month old little guy. I went shopping for all the goodies last night. Traffic wasn't too bad, and the weather was good which is the most important for this gal! I made this stocking for my friend since this is her first Christmas as a "mom", and being a mom is something she has had her heart set on for as long as I can remember.

I filled her stocking with lotions, a little chocolate,cookie cutters and some scrap booking supplies. Having a new little one, a dog who thinks she's really baby #1 and a full-time job, she doesn't really have a lot of time to scrapbook. I know though she enjoys it, so I bought a baby album that has most everything laid out for her. Quick and easy, but still adorable.
We'll be having ham, mashed potatoes, corn, crescent rolls and a chocolate peanut butter pie tonight. YUM!

Here is the crayon bag finished! I really love how it turned out. I just need a couple of "Dora" coloring books and probably another box of crayons to finish it off. It goes with the Dora quilt I made...binding still has to be completed by next Sunday...I am starting to realize I DETEST binding.

And for those who need a snow fix....



Well, I best get going...I have to pick up DD from basketball practice and transport her to a snowmobilers course! Also have to drill her to find out where my IPOD cord is. I always leave in the computer and when she needs to plug hers in she should just switch cords, leaving mine nearby. I was going to fill my IPOD with Christmas music this morning and of course, no cord. She will say "I don't know", and ultimately, it's my fault, because apparantly, I'm not good with cords either. Between the camera and the IPod....I guess I'm just half a techy!!

Have a wonderful weekend!
~Blessings!

PS ~ Ok, So I'm a dork sometimes, I'll admit it! I pick up DD and ask her about above mentioned cord.
"Mom, you hook your Ipod directly to the computer; you don't HAVE a cord!" (as eyes roll!)
Does this mean I'm old?

Snow Day

Wow, here I am again! It's a snowday...yippee! I took this picture at 5:30 this morning. We got about six inches of snow with more to come. The worst of it is the 20 mph winds; makes for nasty driving. I have to sheepishly admit that I prayed for this last night..."God PLAAALLEEESEE (that's please in a winey NY accent!) I need a free day to get the house together and projects finished for Christmas." Now, I can't exactly say He did this for me, but I sure gave Him alot of praise this morning! I am having guests over ever weekend from now until after New Years! When did I become the hostess with the mostess? I do enjoy it, immensely, but I am no Martha Stewart! I do frantic power cleaning at last minute because I have been out at soccer/football/basketball games for weeks; or I chose the sewing machine over the vacuum cleaner!




So I started bright and early...cleaned the bathroom, dustmopped the floors...probably shouldn't waste time wet mopping til Friday night! And do some fine tuning on my decorating. I've got Denver and the Mile High Orchestra Christmas tunes jamming in the CD player and I am good to go! If you like Big Band high energy music, find this CD! It is fantastic.

Can you see my Christmas post cards on the shelf? The big one with Santa is from Nancy Jo last Christmas and the others are from the antique shop. I bought a handful last week along with a bag of old Christmas cards. I love them. I haven't quite decided what to do with them all yet, so if any of you paper experts have any ideas, please share.


Here is the top of the bureau I have in the kitchen. It came out a little dark, but I have some of my green glass out for Christmas. I love the Nativity; it was a gift to myself last year from Gooseberry Patch. And of course...the Moose are on the loose.

Speaking of Moose, here are a few more sharing the Christmas Spirit. They are joined by Snoopy this year...I fell madly in love with him at Hallmark...he plays Linus and Lucy and I have to hear it every time I pass him!! Gosh, I'm such a child sometimes!

Well, I think I'll go work on some mail art and figure out what I'm doing for a gift I need for Saturday.
~Blessings!

Happy December

Yes, it's December 2nd all ready! I am officially an adult saying, "my, my doesn't time fly?", cause it sure does! And busy....shoot we have sports banquets this Sunday and next, basketball games a couple nights a week, Christmas get togethers starting next Saturday and every weekend following. And yes, through in a few birthdays! I need to eat my Wheaties!!

I did get a lot accomplished yesterday. I sewed and sewed to my hearts content AND made some cards. I am not making all my Christmas cards, but I make a few to satisfy the need in me. I have to get some pictures taken of my projects because the little coloring book bag I made my cousin's little girl is TOO sweet.Here is the quilt I made, minus the binding.

Oh yes, I also have to show you what we did last weekend. Friday DH and I took the carpet out to the living room. I think the floor looks great, he likes it too. Then Saturday I put up the tree and started decorating. Sunday I could barely move!!! So I must get the camera out and start snapping some shots again. I think I get out of the habit b/c it's sort of a pain to get them on the computer. But it's time!!!

We have snow this morning. Probably about four or five inches. They've called for a storm warning through Monday. The teachers were even whispering about a snowday Monday! Can you imagine? I thought they were supposed to be the adults! LOL! Ah they are human too...and probably like me, looking at the calendar wondering how to get "it" all done between now and Christmas without any time off! A snow day would be grand!

We visited Grandma on Thanksgiving. It was a bittersweet day. A lot of chaos going on in her house on a daily basis. She's still tired and has lost a lot of weight. She's quiet too. I think she's ready to see Jesus. I hope we can give her a nice Christmas.

Well, I promise to get my camera out...let's show each other how we decorate for Christmas.

Until next time....~Blessings

Happy Thanksgiving

To all my dear, dear Blogging friends, I pray that you will all have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving. I hope that it is filled with the love and the company of those you hold dear, and that many happy memories are made.

No, my little chef is not cooking this year. We are traveling to Grandma's. I am Thankful she is spending another holiday season with us.

I am off today, and though there is much to do, I am relaxing with my coffee and visiting friends!! When my daughter gets home from basketball practice (do they EVER stop?) she wants to bake an apple pie with me. Yippee! She has never been totally into cooking so I am glad at the interest!

And I'll admit, I am listening to Christmas music. Yes I do know that "it is not even Thanksgiving yet!", but Christmas music is some of the most worshipful music there is! And joyful, I can and do listen to it straight for the next month!!!

Well, I really do need to get to work. The sewing projects are coming along nicely, I do need to take pictures and share. I've been quite lax at that lately.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

BOOKS! Glorious Books!

I LLLLLLLOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE books!!! Not just to read, although that is the best part; but even their physical characteristics. The covers, the papers, the artwork on the dust covers. I love it all. ALOT.

I've have tried utilizing the public library. Get a book out, read it, take it back...ahha! There is the catch, I hate taking it back. When I read a book, it becomes part of me and I feel it should be with me forever. So I buy 99% of the books I read. (The other 1% my mother buys) Fortunately, I am not a speedy, book a day type of person, and I do have other hobbies/obsessions to take up my time. But I do ALWAYS have a book going.

Have I spent too much on books over the years? Probably. In my defense I have learned to use book clubs to my advantage so I have not spent as much as you may think. I have also bought my children many wonderful books over the years and it is appearing as if they have inherited my love of reading. Not a bad thing to pass down to your kids. Of course, second hand books are always a treat.

I love old books too. The covers are just incredibly beautiful. Few goodies stir my heart more than a 18 something another copy of Little Women. I usually don't read the old versions of the books I pick up. They may be too delicate, or when opened they usually have a musty smell that my sinuses will not contend with. But the old beauties are wonderful for decorating. To my surprise they are very cheap to pick up at an antique shop.

Why have I chosen now to explain this part of my personality to you? Well, you see, I've just stocked up again, and I wanted to share my winter reading list with you!

The first book that I had to start right away last night is Jan Karon's Home to Holly Springs. Have you read the Mitford Series? If you haven't you must. It is just a sparkling, back your bags and move to Mitford type of series. And if you have read it - Hurrah, Ms. Karon has started a series based on Father Tim's hometown and his growing up years there!

Next on the list, as I gently list it out of the shipment box; is An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash by John Carter Cash. I love a biography and I am a fan of both June and Johnny Cash.

Book number three I probably will read last, but I have more to say about the other books on the list so I stick this one here. It's a novel entitled Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. I have never read a John Grisham novel before, but this caught my eye. When ordering my books I sort of had that "I'm in a new house(3 yrs), a new church, a new job, let's get crazy and find a new author to read!" So that's how this book found it's way to my book shelves.

I'm actually quite anxious to read the Grisham novel, but oh, my friends Christmas is i the air! Again, I have never read a book by either of the next two authors, but the Christmas themes were just to much for me to resist. I'd be reading them now if it weren't for my need for a Father Tim fix. My first Christmas read is Where Angels Go by Debbie Macomber. The Angels names are Shirley, Goodness and Mercy! How cute is that? Has anyone read any books by Debbie Macomber before? Might this book be part of a series?

My next Christmas read is an anthology of four Christmas stories, the most well known author being Fern Michaels; who I did not know...but it looked like a nice warm and fuzzy Christmas read.

I got really sappy last year over a book entitled The Great Christmas Stories Ever;http://beequilting.blogspot.com/2007/01/wonderful-book.html it starts right out with Luke 2 and includes authors such as O'Henry and Dickens and other I had never heard of but their stories are well worth the time. I've gotten it out already this year and have delved into more of those precious stories. I have also found another compilation that is just as beautiful and varied. A Family Christmas with works selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy. If you love tradition, poetry, lovely stories and even a bit of humor you will love this book. It is 323 pages long and filled with every thing from Shakespeare to Groucho Marx. There are short stories, poetry, carols and letters. I have to admit I almost passed this one over because of the Kennedy name. Not because I don't like the Kennedy's, I don't happen to know them, but because I don't care for "celebrities" putting out books they have nothing to do with. That fake, "Have yourself a Merry Christmas, Dahling" thing. I don't know if I'm explaining that well or not, but obviously I did buy the book and Ms Kennedy's introduction is heartwarming, real and intelligent. She was raised well. (I'm sure she is SO relieved I think so! :) The book is a treasure.

So the bibliophile in me should be satisfied for a while. I pray you are all doing well. Hopefully I do have time to read this three day weekend. I have Christmas presents to sew, an early Thanksgiving feast to attend tonight and a couple of teenagers to keep up with!

~Blessings

It's Beginning to...

feel alot like...yeah, well you know the rest! I'm sorry, I just can't help it! After October 31st passes I go into Thanksgiving/Christmas mode. I don't mind seeing the Christmas decorations up or even a hint of Christmas music in the air. I am really good at ignoring the commercialism, I just soak up the Spirit. I start planning menus and presents and reading Christmas stories. I am a SAP! And the weatherman even said snow will be in the air soon. Can't you just feel that cozy snuggly feeling? (Snow is not fun after January 1st, but it's tolerable at this point!)

So I ignore the "Bah Hum Bugs" and do my best to soak up and give away every good feeling of the season!

~Blessings

True Friends

Yes, I've been busy, Yes, I've been tired, but it is oh so fulfilling. Aggravating too, some days. You know the days, when you are talking to or watching a child or sometimes even other adults, and they just don't realize the opportunities and potential they have. They look at their past circumstances and don't see any possibility for change in the future. That just breaks my heart the most about some of these kids. They have no hope. My prayer is that somehow I can help them see things differently.

I've been on line blogging and visiting MaryJane's Farm for about a year now. I can't believe I haven't looked up my exact anniversary, but I guess I'm just too tired. I never expected it all to be so life-changing. I have had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful, talented, inspiring women. Friends that encourage and care. I've also found an unlimited outlet for the part of me that likes, no NEEDS, to create and give. I have questioned myself over the last year about why my on-line friends seem to appreciate that part of me more than most of my friends here at home. The best answer I can come up with is because we came here looking for each other. We are like-minded women who were blessed to find something more.
A particular situation has touched me this week. I won't name names and I hope this story is ok to post. Those involved have the ability to let me know immediately if it's a problem. A friend that I met here in cyber space about a year ago has been dealing with an illness. She has touched many lives with her generousity and caring, so another friend went to work and collected quilt squares from those of us who sew and know friend #1. You should all see the beautiful quilt that was borne from this love. And now it wraps our dear friend with our love and prayers. I can't get over that. I know that other gals that aren't quilters have sent lots of cards and other goodies. We've all never met, but we care that much.
I really, truly thank you all for being a part of my life. With my new schedule, I don't get to visit as often, but I find that my friends here are still important to me.
~Blessings

A Tale of Two Lives

Hello Friends! I have to say I miss you all! The transition to working full-time has gone pretty smooth, and I am getting to the point that when I get home I am getting more done, not just collapsing on the couch!

I still love the children I work with. We're a small school, so it's not a big class so that is good for me. I have to say I was shocked with the trust and responsibility I receive as a teacher's aide. But I guess there is more work to do than the teacher alone can handle, so he has to rely on someone else. I'm just plugging along, learning all I can and getting blessed along the way. Like the day I had to take a painfully shy 11th grade girl to the Library to pick out a book for independent reading. She hates to read, she can barely do it. As we walked to the Library I tried to find out what may interest her. She really couldn't think of anything. Do you ever get those "God inspired" ideas? Well I must have at that point, because as we reached out destination, I thought...poetry!

"T, how about poetry? We can find a book with short poems, something you can get through quickly."

She wasn't really sure, but I think the short part sounded good to her. So we found the poetry section and I sat right on the floor and started opening up books. I knew it had to be something modern, no "thees or thous" and the perfect book popped out. T flipped through it, there were pictures...Falling Up by Shel Silverstein. You know what she did? She read one to me! She couldn't even look at me for the first week or so, let alone speak to me, and now she was trying her best to read me a poem. I thought I was going to have a good cry fest right there.

I really have no clue what I'm doing. It's all God. I go to an algebra class and take notes so I can teach it to two students in the afternoon. I was not a good math student, but now I understand everything I need to, and seem to be able to teach it my students and help them with the homework. That is SO God. I'm not trained to work with the students I do, but it's working. I enjoy being with them, and they seem to enjoy being with me. And so far I'm keeping up with everything the teacher needs me to. Thank YOU, God!!

I wasn't even going to write all that. I've actually been thinking about two deaths in my family this week, and the stark differences in two women's lives.

First my GREAT, Great Aunt passed away after a battle with cancer. This woman loved the Lord and loved people. She had hardships but always gave to others. Always had time for others. She always had the coffee pot going and a cake made and company to entertain. I'm sure she had things in her life she could have been bitter about, but she chose not to. Instead she chose to make the most out of every breath she had in her. This was reflected in the multitudes that came out to say goodbye.

My Great Aunt also passed away. She died alone and she lived a lonely life. She was part of a big family and had a family all her own, but by the end she had pushed them all away. Few of us came to say goodbye. She had closed her heart many years ago, to the Lord, to her family and to anyone else. I don't know why. To my knowledge there was no one monumental event in her life to crush her spirit. Maybe there was, but maybe instead of choosing to make the best of life's hurts she chose to let them build up and fester until it poisoned her whole world.

It struck me to see the difference in these two lives as represented in the calling hours after their deaths. It's certainly not the whole story of either one of those women, but it does illustrate to me at least how important it is the way we treat people and face life.

~Blessings

Thank you all so much for your well wishes and congratulations! I just wanted to pop in before DD's jv soccer game this afternoon. (we had a modified football game this AM!)

I still love my job! A gift from God! I even love doing homework. Most of all I've been very careful to listen to the students. I am in a room with 8 children in the afternoon. I usually work with the 3 ninth graders on vocabulary, but occasionally I get to work with the older students too. Most of them like to share little bits and pieces of themselves if you'll listen.

I went to my first pep rally in 17 years on Friday....quite the experience! I was covered with silly string by the end of it! No wonder the teachers don't sit with the students!

Well I have to run! Hope you are all doing well!

~Blessings!

What a Week!

As I mentioned before, I started my new job as a teacher's aide Wednesday. After 3 days, I can't tell you how much I love my job. I start my day in the Health office taking attendance for 6-12 grades, listing the early dismissals and that sort of thing. That takes about an hour and a half. Then I go to Algebra!! Two of my students are in that class and need me there to take notes and occasionally give them further explanations on certain concepts. I was never a math wiz, but I was not asked and I never told! And Praise God, I actually get it!! I am actually having a ball taking notes and figuring problems and stretching the ol' gray matter between the ears!!

Now, after this class, I am bopping down back to my old job in the cafeteria and doing as much of my old duties as I can in my dress clothes. This will only happen for two more weeks, but after the first day I was so exhausted I didn't know how I'd make it. It got easier as the week went on though. After two more weeks that time will be filled with possibly lunchroom or study hall monitoring and helping my math kids with their homework.

Next comes my favorite part of the day. The teacher I work with teaches a 9-12 Lifeskills class. This includes what is called consumer math; filling out and understanding time cards, pay scales, shopping lists etc.; English and vocab and a bit of social studies. Usually I get to help the 9th graders with their vocabulary. They have worksheets and games that they play. I am excited because they seem to have let me right in and we have a lot of fun together.

Things are never the same and I am always learning. I know, it's only been three days, but you should see this big ol' smile on my face!

Ah, but my feet are a bit achy from my maybe not so sensible shoes, so I am glad it's Friday!

Have a blessed weekend!

Chchchchanges...

I am not big on change. I like things to stay pretty much the same and expected all the time. Even when there is a change I want and pray for, I often go through quite the period of adjustment. But, when summer break came around, I knew God was preparing me for change. Time for a job change. For the past seven years I have worked in the school cafeteria. Glamorous? No, not at all; but ever so convenient for raising two children. I also see it was a great transition job. I started there pretty shy and unsure of myself. Having had my first child at 20 and then staying home full-time when baby #2 came along; at 28 I was a little shaky on my big people real world skills! So as He often does, God used my circumstances to prepare me for life a little further down the line. In June when school let out, I was not sure where I was going to turn. I had in the back of my mind to figure out this civil service stuff. While on vacation, I really had time to think about what I wanted to do. To be honest, nothing was crystal clear, but I knew God was again preparing me to take some steps out of my comfort zone. When I got home I answered an add for a teacher's aide position at our school, filled out some applications for civil service exams and left the rest in God's hands.

It's funny, but the job I thought I wanted the least, was the first offered to me and turns out to be such a perfect match I am just still in awe. The teacher's aide for HS special ed. It's not a coveted job apparently.

There can be some tough days with some tough kids.

You can explain a subject, be totally convinced they have it, and then find the next day they lost all the information you taught them.

They speak what they hear at home and that is not always what I deem appropriate.

These were a few of the warnings I received from the Superintendent of schools before he hired me. (Yes, I went to TWO interviews and you just can not imagine how far out of my comfort zone I was at that point!) I found the more they tried to warn me the more excited I got about the job. I want to be in these kids lives and make a difference. I know that I will rarely see the results, but I know I can make a difference.

So that is my big change. What a good one! I can't wait to share more with you!

~Blessings

A Quick Meme

Found this at Aunt Jenny's http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/


1. Accent? : probably a little NY nasally
2. alcohol?: nope
3. Chore I hate: cleaning the bathroom
4. Pets?: one dog
5. Essential electronics: home pc, DVD player
6. Perfume?: not usually,
7. Gold or silver? Silver
8. Insomnia? no, I could sleep through a hurricane
9. Job title?: school food service
10. Most admired trait?: laid back
11. Kids?: 2 children, DD 14, and DS is 12
12. Phobia?; not that I can think of
13. Religion?: born again Christian
14. Siblings?: none
15. Time I wake up?:6:00am
16. Unusual talent/skill?: hmmm
17. Vegetable love/hate?: I love veggies, except for beets and lima beans
Worst habit?: procrastination
18. X-Rays?: dental, right arm when I was 9 (yup, I broke it!)
19. Favorite meal?: Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and fresh broccoli
okay...now how about some of you post your answers??? We may have alot in common!!

<

Well, we are getting into the swing of things here. Back to work, back to school! DD starts her first day of HS today..."I will not think about that today!"-Scarlett O'Hara

Before we headed back, I had some last ditch fun! Found a great yardsale Saturday on a beautiful old farm! I just knew there had to be some good stuff there.

I also made a back to school Joann's stop on Monday! I even remembered my coupons! Got some lovely fat quarters for the "Turning Twenty" quilt pattern and I bought some great buttons. Whew! I hope I got everything I needed for back to school!!!
I am finishing this table runner for a co-worker of my mom's. I have never met her, but she always passes along bags of fabric she finds to me. So I thought I needed to make a little something for her.
Also been quilting on a wall hanging! See those gloves? They are an absolute necessity for quilting on your machine at home!!


Well, my coffee is cold and my oatmeal is gone, so I guess it's time to head out the door!
~Blessings!

Tying up loose ends...

Yup that's right, almost time to go back to work. Our school has one of those electronic message boards and they have a countdown til the first day of school going on it! We see it every morning when I take DD to soccer practice. I get to subtract one day because being in the cafeteria we go in to set up a day ahead. So sweet of them to count down for us!

Ah, but the weather is still fine, and time is what I make of it...working or not. The house is in order after last weeks mad dash, so I've been taking time to get much sewing in. This was supposed to be a table topper....

but my, it turned out big! The center was 18 x 21, fat quarter size and I measured and remeasured....but it looks more like a wall hanging!

Those are my binding strips to the side, can you tell I wasn't in the mood for small binding. Haven't folded and pressed them yet, so they are not THAT big. I do love the fabric though...

I think it will go on my dresser in the dining room for fall. The gals at MaryJanes farm got me on an apron kick again. I've only made a few that I have given away...I have bought and inherited most of mine. I started browsing through a topic on aprons and I was just blown away by everyone's talent and imagination! Time to get sewing says I!! Right after I make this table topper:

Kinda a dark, but let me assure you, there are moose involved!!! Hehe...

I'm happy to report that I am happy with the wood floor under the carpet! Let me assure you that I lifted corners of carpet to make sure that I at least had an idea of what I was getting into. That and the fact that the dining area, hall and my bedroom are all hardwood gave me the security to start this project! DH said this weekend we'll take the carpet out of the livingroom together. Let me tell you, that is BIG brownie points right there! He does alot around here, and works hard all day, so when I get myself into one of THESE kinds of projects, I try to keep him out of it. We purposely bought a house that didn't need immediate work because we are really not knowledgeable do-it-yourselfers, and we're not at a point where we want to spend alot of money on it either. But that carpet was just bugging me and the project seemed safe enough, and so far so good.

Most of what you see on the floor is fuzzy from the carpet from where it is cut on the right side. That is coming out this weekend, and he'll also show me how to get those tack strips up. I'm sure some people would immediately have to sand and redo, but with two kids and a dog, I'm not too worried about marks on the floor.

So this week I'm taking the time to soak in summer. I guess I'm a big kid in alot of ways. Gotta walk barefoot in the grass, drink my sun tea, even lay down and smell the earth under the apple trees. Next week will be busy enough.

~Blessings