Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
I'm looking forward to sharing more about these as they are put special places. Just hope sometime I will be able to see people's faces too!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Two feet of snow in a 24 hour period that is what we have had. It is amazing! So for me I am snowed in because my car is to low to the ground. No school for the kids today and tomorrow either so for them Christmas vacation started a couple of days early. Sure hope they didn't leave anything in their lockers that they needed. Bruce made it in to work only to turn around a couple of hours later to come home. It only stopped snowing this evening for enough time for Bruce and I to get some shoveling done. Never thought I would say this but in the spring when snow blowers go on sale, we are buying one.
Back to watching the snow fall, making Christmas presents that should have been out in the mail by now and waiting for morning. Michaela and I will get out the Christmas stuff and do a bit of decorating. At least I have snowmen that can stay up until spring or until I NEED spring.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas gifts are purchased and not wrapped. The ones that will be sent out in the mail won't get there in time of Christmas day. Our new family photo has been taken, just need to print here at home.(it is weird not having our girls in the picture) It is so cold, it was 8 degrees this morning. My sun roof in the kitchen has decided to leak onto my newly painted walls, lovely.
So far, the best part of this year(besides getting a new house) is we got an offer on our house in Yakima. With any luck we will be signing papers this week and at least that part of stuff is done. We have had a lot going on with this house, since we had the people move out that were staying there. It has been a total mess!!
There is still no sign of where my daughter and her family went. It leaves you sad but this is what she has wanted for a long time. To have us not be apart of her life. I understand needing to be on your own but to just leave your extended family behind is something I am not sure I will ever understand. As I've gotten older I have found value in my family, even when we don't see eye to eye and we haven't always had the best relationship. However, I still always made sure that somehow we were still connected, even just a little bit. I guess time will tell.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
It is that time of year that everyone is hustling around looking for that perfect gift, for that perfect someone. I honestly am having a hard time with it. I didn't have my summer job of taking care of our neighborhood community pool this year because of the move so that means less money for presents. I am thinking that isn't a bad thing but means the presents I do give must be well thought out. I'm not allowing myself to get caught up in the 'got to buy it' mode. What about you? What are you doing to make your dollar stretch?
One of the fun things I do love about this time of year are how much people are sharing themselves. I guess that is what this time of year should really be all about. So if you want to be in on some fun check out Tim Holtz, 12 tags of Christmas. He is even doing give aways everyday!! You will also want to head on over to Wilna's Christmas blog she has a special present for everyone. All I can say is you are going to LOVE it, well at least I do!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
If life ever takes you away from your current home and moves you to a better place. Don't EVER let anyone stay in your house, if you have to move before your house is sold! It can end up costing you thousands of dollars that you don't have. That is where we are today on the sale of the house in Yakima. We are just beside ourselves with frustration.
We had the people that were staying in the house move out. In there process of moving out they shampooed the carpet however they turned off the thermostat so it was 50 some degrees when Bruce got there. This left the carpets wet and spongy. Hopefully the moldy smell will go away if not.........sigh. If Bruce had not gone over yesterday and we had waited until next week......I can't even think about it! Oh and they turned off water inside the house. Hello, it is winter! You don't turn off your water! arrrgghhhh, I could go on but I won't.
So lesson learned, don't trust your home to anyone that you believe has your best interests at heart. That is what we did when we trusted the Home Caretakers of Yakima. God is going to have to show us what to do. After all He is the only one we can truly trust.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
We've lived here now for 4 months. This past Saturday we traveled to Yakima to check on the house, visit family and I got a chance to stop by to see my friend Brenda at Scrapbook Central. I've missed her so much! The reaction from my Grand daughter seeing me was priceless! I so loved every minute of hugging on both my Grand babies.
So driving home from Yakima back to Spokane I realized I was going home. So my new home finally feels like home! I feel like I belong and realized I do a pretty good job of keeping my house running. It just felt so good to feel it.
The only thing bad, is I woke up Sunday morning with the worst head cold. It is one of those that you sneeze, cough for what seems like hours and have so much sinus pressure that you think your head is going to come off. At least today I can take a deep breathe and not cough!!
Monday, November 03, 2008
This weekend has to have been the nicest we have had in months. No where to go, no agenda just sitting around enjoying each others company. I managed to start two CUTE card ideas, take two 3 hour naps, and start reading Brisingr by: Christopher Paolini, which I have had to make myself put down so I can do other things like feed my family. If you scroll down the page in the link there is a nice interview with him.
When I started reading his first book Eragon a couple of years ago, I really wasn't expecting to like it. I didn't have to wait to long until his 2nd book Eldest came out, but waiting for this book however proved to be a long. I've never been one to enjoy fantasy or magic but I will keep coming back to this this series of books.
I don't completely understand why I am so drawn to it. My step dad introduced me in my late elementary school years to the medieval times....Robin Hood, 3 Musketeers, along with Romeo and Juliet so maybe it is my love for that era. Back to chores so I can read another chapter today.......well, at least I have a goal.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
I have always loved to journal and telling my stories has been apart of me for a long time. As someone who only has a handful of photos to show for her life, it can be hard to tell a story. So over the years as I have a memory that I want to preserve I find away to scrapbook it. Most of the time being taking photos of just about anything.
This week I can across a class offered by Jessica Sprague. It is FREE which is the plus and I think it is going to help me to move past this blah feeling I have about the holidays. You can't beat FREE.
So I think you owe it to yourself and your family to tell your stories. Come on over here and join in on the FREE fun! It will be good for us all.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
My youngest daughter's birthday was this week. I made this banner for her and hung it in her bathroom so she could see it first thing in the morning. She was pretty excited. Then it was off to her school to decorate her locker. Compete with her favorite altoids. I love it when I surprise my children, it is so much fun!! Happy Birthday Sweetheart!! I know this year is different because of living in a new place. I still hope you had fun and enjoyed the lemon bars!! You are ALWAYS my JOY!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
I think I forgot how to scrapbook without a messy desk!! In my former scrapbook corner I had a 8ft long table that I could put some of my mess on while working. Now I'm down by 2ft and I think I have to relearn to do everything!!! arrrgghhh!!!
Promise I will be back soon with a few cute things I have been working on this week.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
It isn't for me to ask why things happen in my life. I know, it is a statement that some people just have to ask but I try very hard to stay away from. If I allow myself to go their sometimes it is easy for me to get caught up in it. I find myself wallowing in self pity and that doesn't make it all better. I don't want others to feel sorry for me and bringing that kind of attention to myself isn't what I want.
I however have been reflecting over the past 9 months and I just wish I could take some of it away. The BIGGEST thing that I KNOW is through all of this stuff......some I have shared here.....He is HIGHER!! Nothing else matters, the good, the bad and even the ugly. He knows what HE is doing........I don't need to worry He has my bases covered and He is taking care of me for, forever and always. Please take time today to listen to this from Hillsong, it may just change your life.
I have the awesome privilege to take Wilna's class. What a wonderful group of women I'm getting acquainted with from all over the world. There are 100 of us! I don't know what would happen if we all chatted at the same time though, scary thought......lol.
Well back to balancing I go, regular chores, shower, and sorting a pile of patterned paper mess. Then I will KNOW where it all is instead of being in 5 different places.
Friday, September 05, 2008
That is what seems to be happening around here! A whirlwind of happenings, we had out of town guests over the weekend. So much fun!! No agenda other than to just relax, enjoy each others company, play a few board games, and hit the Spokane's Pig Out in the Park. They city takes Riverfront park and divides it into sections, adding food booths and stages for music. I tell you what, going with a group of people is the way to go. You end up spending less on
food when you all are sharing what you buy!! The kids road the Carousel which they haven't done since we visited Spokane 4 years ago. I need to take them again before they close it down for the season, next year they will celebrate 100 years......amazing!! If you like Carousels their site is full of fun information and coloring pages.
The kids are back at school and adjusting to getting up early. Tonight we will be going to our first football game of the season, not because we enjoy football but because Ethen will be marching. It should be a good game as it is with the rival teams of the Mead district. I'm sure there will be a lot of energy!
I'm getting back into my mom routine and finding balance, it is so nice. The only thing I haven't been able to get back to, is my scrap booking. I've felt the pull to do things for months but other stuff has come first. I have plans to take a online class with Wilna, which I have done before and enjoyed so much. If you get a chance, go check it out and take her new class she will be offering soon. The information she gives is worth every penny.
Here's to routine, balance, fun and just living in the moment.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
It is nice to 'finally' be feeling better after my little knee mishap. It took over two weeks for the scap to completely come off and go figure that now that it is off, I have a bruise. Oh well, hopefully I will be more careful and not have something like this happen again.
The last couple of weeks has been busy with taking my son to marching band camp at his new school. They perform at football games and also several competitions throughout the season so it should be a lot of fun for him. It is wonderful to see him find his place. It is hard to believe that he is in High School now and registered for classes. He is taller than me now and more handsome than I ever could have imagined.
School starts in just over a week. I think everyone is anxious about getting life back to a little bit of normal, especially after this summer's move. After a couple of weeks of getting settled into a school routine my plan is to look for a part time job. I'm not exactly sure what I want to do but I want to like what I do. That is something that is extremely important to me, not that I'm going to be looking for the perfect job but just something fun.
Speaking of fun we will be having our first few visitors this weekend. It seems that a few have decided that they all wanted to come the same weekend. I sure don't mind! It is going to be so nice to see family and friends. I'm actually excited and I haven't been excited in months!!
Well, back to chores and finishing my scrapbook space! Yep, it is ALMOST done!! Can't wait to share.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
It seems in life that we all have our ups and downs. The last few months for me have been somewhere in between. Moving for me hasn't been the happiest of things, leaving somewhere that I lived for 19 years has just hurt. I KNOW that this move was the right thing for our family. It just doesn't make it any easier to leave what you have known, a place that you have become comfortable with....safe.
It has taken me six weeks to get comfortable with my new house and all the new surroundings. I've learned that it just takes time but time is what you make it. Working on different parts of the house can be draining but also very rewarding. The photos of my children are up on the wall, I'm now surrounded by pictures of family, and my Grand babies......who I miss terribly! The comfort that I was missing is coming into view for me and I am becoming happier because of it.
About the only thing that hasn't made me happy the last few weeks is falling down. I felt pretty silly about how it happened and quite embarrassed. I was on my way to meet a new friend, Stacy who happens to be a Close to my Heart consultant at a local Starbucks. I was so excited about meeting her AND seeing the new catalog that I wasn't paying any attention to where I was walking!! I fell down directly on top of my left knee. Quite embarrassing to have to hobble into Starbucks and ask for a wet towel because you have blood flowing down your leg! Not to mention sitting down and then seeing your new friend and introducing yourself while you are cleaning your bleeding knee! I can laugh now but it hurt so bad and for anyone that thinks hydrogen peroxide doesn't sting you are soooo wrong!! It has healed nicely in a week and the scab is starting to fall off.
Today marks a mile stone in my Granddaughter Piper's little life.....she is "2", time goes by so fast even more so now that I have Grandchildren!! Happy Birthday to Granny's little princess! I can't wait to hear about your reaction when you get your package in the mail at the end of the week. Hopefully you will enjoy what I've made for you! I love you more Piper!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
So stay tuned later this week for my finished scrapbook corner. I'm sure you will find it a happy place!! I know I do!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
We are alive, sore and all around tired. We have managed to get everything into 50% of its finally resting place. Washer, dryer have been hooked up and I've been doing laundry for a couple of days. We used a lot of bedding to wrap things, then had a few things leak.....yuck! All in all nothing was broken durning the move. That makes me happy.
I will share more about the move in the next few days. I'm finally getting settle enough that I can actually sit down without the guilt of having boxes to unpack. The only major place that hasn't even been touched is my corner of the familyroom, which is my scrapbook space. I'm getting the itch to be creative so I'm sure it will happen in due time.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Is there anyone in this world that really likes to move? To you I give you a high five! I've decided for me that moving just sucks.
My scrapbook room is 75% complete and these are most of my boxes. Okay, well maybe there are a few missing because they are housed in the garage.......lol. Yes, a lot of stuff but it will be time to do some serious sorting when I set up my new space. I just couldn't do it all before the move, so this just means I will have something big to do over the summer.
So it is official, we own our new home in Spokane, here's to owning two homes at once! Hope that doesn't last long. My step-mom was willing to drive the kids and I up to Spokane on Wednesday. I was just a little freaked out on driving by myself. I know, that I'm going to have to get use to driving it on my own so it was nice of her to be willing to do that. No sight seeing this time except for showing her the house. The kids love it and their rooms. The kids seemed mostly amazed about how green everything was and it really dawned on them that they are going to be 'real' city kids. I feel some ground rules coming on! Any advice?
This is our backyard, complete with trampoline left behind from the previous owners. Kids are voting to keep it, while dear hubby sees it as a emergency room visit waiting to happen. We shall see who wins out by next weekend.The official moving date starts this upcoming Monday with our first load and the second following on Wednesday. DH thinks I have more than him because I have smaller boxes........hhhhhmmmm, not sure about that one. I did tell him at closing that he doesn't have any room to talk about what I spend on my scrapbooking supplies because of his two BIG hobbies, photography and music.(big amplifiers, guitar toys and at least 5 cameras) I guess we all learn to bend over the years for each other. This is just half of his room!
I will update more when I can. We make the calls to hook up the utilities in the new house today plus get our phone transferred, which means I will more than likely loose my Internet connection for a few days. I just have to remind myself that this to shall pass. I'll be back catching everyone up soon!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Nothing new on the house. The weather around here has been weird which doesn't lend itself well to showing houses. sigh So we wait, mean while having to do everything we can to not get stressed out. It doesn't always work, it just gets to you not having a place to call your own. The kids are out of school offically Tuesday at 10am. So God if you are reading this.......please don't make us wait to much longer before an offer.
In trying to keep myself busy I am doing more sorting of things. This week the goal is to pack more boxes and my rolling scrapbook bag. That way when we do move, at least I can have a few projects to keep me creative at the new house. Speaking of being creative, I've been up to a few things and they have helped so much in keeping my stress level down. A few of the things I have been holding onto are dried flowers that belong to my oldest daughter from all of her dances. The decision was made to not take them with us when we move so I found these great frames with a felt background, mounted the flowers inside the frames then sent them on there way to my oldest daugther. Hope she enjoys them! The one to the right is a bouquet of flowers I gave to her for her 16th birthday. I had even found a teddy bear to match the coral colored roses. I think adding the picture of the bear was a nice touch.
At my local scrapbook store some wonderful paper came in! Well, most all of it is wonderful! My downfall beautiful and fun papers!! So here is to fun with some K&Company paper with the cutest mushrooms on it!! This is a stand up 5x7 arylic frame.
Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by for a visit.