I Just Couldn't Help Myself!

My neighbor across the street did a very nasty thing (but I forgive her)! You see, I only had one week off over the summer (I was used to 10!) and this job change came very suddenly. So I spent this particular week cleaning & sorting; the kind of stuff that I used to take all summer to do! I was on a roll....a mission. Organization before mommy is at work full-time.

No! Don't look! neighbor across the street is having a YARDSALE....

"move away from the window, mom"

"your getting RID of stuff, dear!"

So I go try to occupy myself in other ways. I'm really not a yardsale junkie, but what did me in was the fact that I spotted SHELVES across the street, just steps away!! Glass enclosed shelves.

They got me....my family laughs at me weakness, but I think they look pretty nice!

Boy do I love books, old & new!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

(I definitely favor the Dean Martin version for those who care!)Anywhooo, the temps up here have been hovering around zero and below for the last four days!!! Burrrr...and yes we all have to trudge out in it, even the schools stay open. And honestly I can't say that I've heard of any injuries due to the cold to either child or adult. It's just burn your nose, chill you to the bone for hours kind of cold! We had a good six inches of snow on top of what we had to start the week.
Honestly, the mornings have been gorgeous though; once you get past the pain! When it gets THIS cold the skies are generally crystal clear. That makes for some amazing sunrises and a beautifully colored sky.
I have a lovely country ride to work. After ooooing and ahhhing over the sky for three days I broke down Friday and left early with my camera to see what shots I could get. Yeah I was the geek in 4 degree weather daring to pull over and try to get some pictures!! I'll be sharing more of my pictures here: http://www.beemoosie-picture-diary.blogspot.com/ in the up coming week.

I'm doing the happy dance here because I have a three day weekend!! I warned both teenagers that Monday I will not be leaving this house to take you here there or anywhere!! I will not go pick up Joe, Betsey, Fred or Ethyl! They are welcome to come over and hang out, but it is my first day off that does not involve a family get together and I am being selfish with it!!! I have house work to do today, including to finish putting Christmas decor away, tomorrow will be church and whatnot, Monday is all about getting some creative time in(hopefully in my JAMMIES!) I joined a Valentine swap and had the MOST fun picking out new supplies last week so I believe I will work on that. I am not sure if my fabric is still speaking to me, it's been so long since I visited.

Well, to close I will show you my favorite find at that antique shop a few weeks back. I LOVE transferware of all colors, but I had not found any brown around here. Magazines have been big on featuring collections of brown the last few years and it called my name. I was so excited to find a few little trinkets of brown on my last stop.

I guess I should get today's chores started so I can play on Monday! Hope you are all keeping warm!

~Blessings

Looking Back

Here we are a week into 2009. Despite the what the media says, I feel good. I know God is in control. That doesn't mean I never fret, but when those times come, I batten down the hatches and draw closer to Him.



Many of you know there were many changes here in 2008. We started off the new year finding out our dear friend and companion of 11+ years had bone cancer. Jasmine, our dog, died in April. Mandi May came into our life in, well, May! By the end of June I had a full-time job. Big change for me. I hadn't worked full time in 14 years and I had really gotten into the habit of doing pretty much anything I wanted whenever I wanted. (wow, I sound like I was a spoiled brat!) But you know what I mean, while I was always busy, I had the flexibility to mostly get it all done and have plenty of time to spare. Life isn't like that any longer and that is ok. I am relearning how to prioritize and maybe even appreciate leisure a little more.



This summer we had time to visit one of my favorite places; a living history museum nearby. What a beautiful day it was and they were holding an old time country fair.




These veggies are real!!
Some fair entries

Well, I had a couple more but I can't seem to get them to come up now. Maybe another time!

Let us pray that 2009 is good...joy comes from within!
~Blessings

A Little Thriftin'

Few things please me more than having a quiet hour or so to browse around a thrift/antique shop. We have 4 or 5 right here in town so it is quite convenient for me to pop in when time avails. I have found myself picking up Nativities over the years, so I guess I would say I have a collection!

My mother had one similar to this that she always put a blue light through that hole in the back...



I loved this sleigh and reindeer, kind of that cutesy 50's look I think. Size wise I don't know that they go together~definitely be using some of that reindeer magic to pull THAT sleigh! But they were sold together!

I found some more goodies, but I'll save them for another day. It's quite cold here today so I think I'll snuggle down in front of the fire with a good book while the boys watch football!

~Blessings

Updates...

So what has been going on with all of you? You all know I am adjusting to the working world. Not that I didn't work before. The school cafeteria and the teacher's aide position were both real work, just not so many hours and lots of time off. MaryBeth made a funny comment about how my family must be fine b/c I mentioned new camera and computer! Gosh, that IS awful!! My daughter turned 16 two weeks ago. I didn't think it would bother me, but I have to put it right out of my mind, so I guess it does sorta make me blue. DH has been super dad being the one who works right in town and gets out right at 3:00. He picks up and drops off the kids to sports practices and has the meals started when I get home at 5:00. He is dreamy!

Mandi May is a comedy routine on four legs!!
We were told dogs love their crates...nobody told her. She will lay on top of it and watch out the window, but to get in it is a whole other story. She spreads all four legs out like a cat!!
Tomorrow we are going as a family to see Marley and Me. I know I am going to bawl at the end, but DH wants to see it and told me to bring the hankies. I let you know how I do!!

So good to hear from you all!
~Blessings