Sad Day

We unexpectedly lost my dad last Monday. Words cannot express my sadness; but I know with all my heart "absent of the body, present with the Lord"

Lovely Weekend

We've been blessed this weekend with sunshiny 50 degree weather. Now I know this is cold to some of you, but up here, in March, we are bordering on a heat wave. You can literally hear the collective sigh of contentedness as the majority of us housebound, hibernating humans come out of our caves and stretch and yawn feeling the life giving warmth of the sun. DH & I took the baby for a walk today. She is an okay walker; she pulls quite abit still, which

I can't stand because her neck shrinks down to nothing and I worry that she will slip out of her collar. She is learning though. This picture was taken at a nature trail that was carved out of some land in our town a few years ago. It was too wet and muddy to go back in there today.
I love this next picture; it is recycling at it's best!When the land was being prepared for the trails, this old wreck was found. It sits now at the entrance of the trail with a lovely flower box behind it. All that water is not usually there, it's overflow from a nearby creek.
I guess this post is going backwards! Earlier in the day, DS and I stopped at a local antique shop to help out the economy! ( we visited a different one last weekend!) Today was apron jackpot day! I found 3 adorable half aprons! Some to keep and some to share I think...

I am totally in love with the white & green crocheted apron; definitely my find of the day. I guess it is the uniqueness of it that draws me. I think it's cute. I also like to visit this particular shop b/c she always has old post cards that represent the holidays. I think I'll research it a bit, but it seems that people sent post cards often in the early to mid 19oo's and they were made for every holiday. So far I have found Christmas, New Years, Easter & St Patty's day. The prints are so nostalgic and beautiful!

I visited a lovely little farmgirl etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5338774

and fell in love with a tea towel that I just HAD to have!! Isn't it darling?

To back up a little more, we had an awesome dinner to celebrate my MIL's 70th Birthday. DH wanted to take her out for something special, so we took her to our extra special once a year type of place. We even took the kiddos and learned, "yes, we can clean 'em up and take them out!" I love seeing children with their grandparents.
Well the fresh air seems to have made me long winded!!! Hope you are able to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine too!
~Blessings!

I am so excited to be writing you from my new laptop! Dude, I got a Dell!! and boy do I love it! Probably don't even know half of what's on here but I am having fun. I know my family thinks I got it to blog & facebook more, and that is partially true. But I love to write and I am hoping that the mobility of the laptop will get me writing again. I love to blog too, and enjoy reading blogs so I hope to have more time to enjoy that pasttime. Our computer is upstairs and when I was home alone before working full time, it didn't bother me to be up there. Now though, I am the last one home at night and I don't like to pull myself out of the family room to go on line.
I had my first full day off (non-holiday) since starting my new job last July. I took the kids for a consultation with an orthodontist. They are both getting braces in about six weeks. I had them back to school and was home by 11:00 am. It was SO nice. I got some things done I needed to and just relaxed!! I feel awful for not feeling like sewing. I just don't have those big blocks of time I used to and sewing is just not something I can rush. I have a couple embroidery projects I have been workng on. They are much easier to pick up here and there and work on a little at a time. I've enjoyed making cards lately too. I have to do something creative...I just have to find my niche of the moment I guess. Mostly I've been reading when I can keep my eyes open. I've been kind of bad at that lately too. Starting a bunch!! I'm reading Roots, Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Womens Rights Movement, and another book I keep at work about faith and Founding Fathers.
Isn't the teacup above adorable? I found it Sunday on a quick stop on the way home from church! Brown is my favorite and I love the bits of color added to it!! My moosie thought it was a nice place to nestle into.
Boy, it's been hard to keep up with the changes around here. DD got her permit last week!! Both mom and dad have been willing and patient driving instructors!!
DH is starting a new job next Monday. He had been at the same factory here in town for 25 years. Unfortunately, it has been downsizing for the last few years. He has been keeping his eyes open for something more promising and decided two weeks ago to put an application in at the new Barilla plant in the neighboring town. Everything happened quite quickly and he will be starting his orientation next week. By all accounts, it is a great place to work. He will be working 12 hour night shifts which will be quite the change for us all, but he has been wonderful helping us adjust to MY new schedule so it's my turn to step up and help him.
Well that is about all for now! Please take time to say hello!

~Blessings!

Just Can't Beat This!

On the way home tonight I had the radio on and the traffic guy was talking about backups on this expressway and an accident on this street and oh yes, expect delays if you are headed in that direction. And look, HERE is my ride home!! My ride now is about 20 to 25 minutes depended on how heavy my foot is that day. I used to be 5 minutes from work, 10 if there was traffic confusion at the monument. So yeah, my drive is a bit longer, I've decided that it has actually been a blessing. I see things I haven't taken the time to look at in many years.

Fields, blue skies, sunrises & sunsets, animals; Gods awesome creation that is there for our enjoyment. He's reminded me to be grateful for it and take the time to take it in.


My hope for you whether you stay at home, have a beautiful drive or even an aggravating bumper to bumper drive, is that you find the beauty and peace that God offers us each day!

~Blessings