Monday, October 31, 2011

31 Days End But Thankfulness Begins!

 As our 31 Days come to a close, our days of being Thankful are just beginning. Today my bits and pieces of bats and carved pumpkins give way to turkeys and scarecrows and harvest angels. I found these lights that look like candles at a gift store and I knew that I had to have them. They are electric and filled with glorious light.
 This time of year is such a struggle to know what decorations to leave up...but today I am doing the obvious and being satisfied with it.
 Today I am thankful that I am spending time with my youngest as she studies for a test. We are together and happy and healthy. She hit the deer and could have been injured but instead we are together and chatting about nothing. I am thankful for the children and husband. May you find blessings in your day today!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Two New Projects Started for Day 30

 I am starting a new project that I found on the internet.One Lucky Day has an interesting advent calendar and they are selling the parts and pieces if you want to make one on your own. Since it was my birthday a few days ago my dh said to pick something out that I wanted and my first thought was...this!
 Today my eldest decided to help me separate all the pieces into bags and I will tell you that it took us about 2 hours to get this task completed. We had a great time laughing and figuring it all out. I was so thankful for her help!
I had also decided to start to make the rosette wreath that I have been seeing all over the internet. I went looking for paper and I found my old childhood book that had lots of pages missing. I thought it might be fun to use it so I have just gotten started. All I can say is the paper is very brittle and this is going to be time consuming but then...who cares!!! It is started! Blessings to each of you..we are now on day 30!!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Friday, October 28, 2011

Not Another Deer!

  Not another deer!!!You have got to be kidding. A deer ran into the side of my daughters car...but she is not hurt. She was astounded how the deer seemed to come from nowhere but she put her things into another car and took off for work...lol Oh my!
This is my next project. I am going to start working on this advent calendar...I am nervous and I wish I was doing it with someone but I am going to try to start it this weekend. I will give you more detail then...It is amazing.
It has been a rough day and I have decided not to share all the bad...things that made me cry today but what I will share is that my daughter is not injured...the things that were broken can get fixed and I am headed to worship practice so my day should end on a good note. blessings.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Moving the Furniture Around..again. Day 27

 Well, the new furniture is starting to make an impact on our home. I have been wanting to get a new tv cabinet for quite some time but there was always something I didn't like about the new cabinets and I think the word I would say is that they lacked character. When I saw this stand on Craig's list I looked at if for a few days before I decided to go take a look. My dd helped me move all the equipment so that we did not have to unplug all those wires.
 I think I am loving the stand now. The decorations help, don't you think? This is what it looked like before I decided to spruce it up.
This is when we first carried it into our home...I think it is wonderful. I am starting to look at paint chips for this room. I have a couple chosen but before I decide I have to make a decision about which furniture I am going to keep in this room and the room beside it.
I also have to decide which dining room sets I am moving into our dining room and which I am moving to other areas of our home....have some more thinking to do. This is day 27  of Days of Whimsy and I have almost made through the most of daily posting. I think I am going to miss it.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

One amazing Tree

This is the tree in our front yard. I took this picture 2 days ago. I was going to put something in the mailbox and when I saw the tree I want back in to get the camera. The shadow you see is actually the house. It is really beautiful this year. As you can see the tree right beside it has already lost it's leaves.
There has been so much rain this fall that I was not sure we were going to get to enjoy it but I am amazed and the color of the leaves....Thanks for visiting!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

My new beautiful Furniture Finds!! Day 25

 Well Girls, the furniture has been unloaded into  my shed for safe-keeping! I am still in love with it!! It is more beautiful than the pictures show. All the pieces have been painted and refinished so all the work has been done for me!
 This little lady has the most beautiful legs!!
 And her seat is nice too!!
 Doesn't it look like you just want to take a seat and be so comfortable!!
 The other lady is beautiful too. I will be looking for some chairs to go with her.
 She has great legs too!
 I know this is difficult to see but this is the stand for my tv. I will be moving all the tv things to this little beauty. I think she is just the best thing to go in an eclectic home and you know I am moving that way..right?
 I think most anyone would love to have this stand! You could use it as a table too!



I am so excited to have found some pieces that I love and I found a new friend in the process. Thank you Laurie!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Small addition to my room

This is the small addition I added to my room make-over. It is a paper weight with a glam bird on it. The picture is not so good but I think you can kinda see it. I have not been working on much. I have so many ideas but so far not the energy to do them. I am being inspired by so many of your blogs so keep crafting!!!
I hope I have something more inspiring tomorrow!

A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge.
Thomas Carlyle

Blessings to each of you.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

A new Purchase for Day 22

 The store where i work had these delightful bowl on sale and for I thought that for Thanksgiving they would be a wonderful addition to our table. The spreaders came in a package of four so who could resist getting them as well. I am spending the day nesting. Cleaning, fluffing and quietly working on a few projects. Sometime quiet is so nice.

 I placed the napkins in a large bowl for easy access. They go well with my little pumpkin candles.
Here is another finish I forgot to show you two days I love this snowman and I will be framing him maybe even today. I am going to go and try to find some frames for a reasonable price!
I have so much nesting that I love to do. I have throws and slippers and new decorations for the season. I also have another craft that I am working on so stay with me and see if it is something you want to try! Day 22 is officially blogged...but my day is just beginning. Off to the store for supplies...so excited.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Rambling

Day 21 has been so busy. I started the day off with a trip to my daughter's school so she could put some long layers in my hair. Once that was complete I drove to Hobby Lobby to see about getting something framed. It was a difficult decision when choosing the frame and mat. Some of you might remember that I was stitching a piece for my Mom while she was sick. She did get to see it before she took a turn for the worse and she loved it. I had stitched it in her honor. If you don't remember then I will have it back in about 2 weeks and I will share a picture then.
It has been such a difficult week for me. I have had a hard time shaking the gloom off my days. I will have a thought about Mom and then I can't stop the tears. I am exhausted from the stress of it and yet I know that for now this is just the way things are.
I spent the evening with my eldest  daughter at her apartment watching tv and ordering pizza. We talked and laughed and had a great time together...such a nice break in my week.
We have a renter rehab going on and that will consume some of my time next week and that might be okay too.
Isn't it so amazing how quickly things can change in our lives. How truth becomes clouded by those who can't or won't listen. But the truth doesn't change just because there is no listening...truth is truth...period. I stand on who I am and what I have done because in the end I have done the best that I can...no one can ask for more than that.  Lord, help us.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

More finishes for day 20

 Today I thought I would try to get some organizing done before the weekend and somehow I started going through some of my cross stitch bags. I am going to Hobby Lobby tomorrow to have something framed and for some reason I started rummaging through my bags like a crazy person. These are just a few of the ones that I found completed and ready to be framed. This set is Twas the Night Before Christmas.
 I had not be cross stitching very long when my sisters and I each decided to stitch a set and then trade some so we would have each others work. Well. I don't know if they ever finished but these are the ones I did and they will be hanging this year for the first time. I have had them done for years.
 Sometimes when you stuff things in a bag you forget that you have them done and they get mixed in with other things and before long, well...not this year.The stockings have my girls names on them.
 I am sure if I look them over closely I will find things that I would change but they are finished and I am not working on them anymore. I hope that some day one of my children will want them in their home.
 The I found so many more this is another finished piece.
 And one I should have up right now.
 And another for the next holiday. Sorry for the wrinkles but remember they were in a bag.
 I even found some punch needle that I had finished a while back. I had just started to teach my Mom to punch needle before she got sick.
I actually had more to show you that were in the bag but there are so many I will wait for another day.
Do you believe we are on day 20....? Amazing. So what are you working on?

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Day 19 Redecorating a lttle

 I have been doing a little rearranging and so far I am pretty happy with the results but the only problem I seem to be having is that I have more "stuff" and no place to sit it...lol These two little items have been displaced and I have been searching for somewhere else for them to go. The white drawers usually hang on the wall. If you look you will see some subway art on the wall...ya..that is where it usually hangs. The little urn is a new purchase from the clearance racks so it has never had a home. I think they both can go into the other living room but until after the holidays there is no space for them. Right now they are sitting on top of our radiator and that is fine until we turn the furnace on then it will be to warm for them there...I think!
I also wanted to share a picture of my new necklace. I purchased it at the French Hen Barn sale.  It did not come with a chain so I bought a long piece of suede and made one myself. I love it. I didn't have any kids  home today  to model it for me so the urn had to stand in for them!
I am planning on meeting my daughter for dinner tonight so I do hope all the rain stops but if not I guess she is worth the drive. I miss her..Hope your day is free of tear drops.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Day 18 Yesteryear

How could my babies be so grown up??? This is a picture from yesteryear. The babies are now 23, 19 and 18. How could that be? I miss having little ones in our home. But I know there will be a day when our family will increase and the babies will come but until then I will enjoy them just as they are now. Remembering them is such sweet memories...love you girls!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Day 17 Giving Thanks

Feeling sad. Feeling like it is so much work to figure out what happens next. I know that losing my Mother has been life-changing for me and my children. What I don't know is how to start to move forward. This weekend was sobering and this set of holidays will be another reminder of what I don't have any longer. I know that I must find things to be thankful for and that I have been doing...praising even in the pain.
  I know that worship isn't based on just feeling good...you have to worship no matter what is happening in your life. So I am thankful that I had my Mother for so long.  I am thankful that she was loving and kind and supportive. I am thankful for all the things she gave me...her time and her talents...her love and encouragement. I know that she has now passed the torch to me but the burden is just so heavy...so I will honor her in the ways that I can and I will pray for what is to come.
  Tomorrow I will be posting something a little more light-hearted! Thanks for being there for me!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

day 16 is quiet

Today, I am quiet. I am still. I am choosing to rest and try to curb this roller coaster of emotions that I have been having for the last few days. Today...I am quiet.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Day 14...I am boring today!

    I am sorry dear friends but no pictures today. I spent the day visiting little shops and enjoying the wonderful weather. Tomorrow is my birthday and I spent the day with some special people. We spent it laughing and chatting and enjoying a light lunch.
    There were pumpkins and decorations everywhere and then my eyes started to spy the most beautiful Christmas decorations I have ever seen...I was happy and sad to see them...ya know...I just can not face Christmas just yet. I am not ready for Holiday Cheer. I will get there but I am not there just yet. So for tomorrow I am going to spend the day with our youngest daughter who is celebrating her last homecoming. She has the day planned out. Getting her hair done at 10 am...and the lunch with me before her friends come over for pictures and laughs...it will be bittersweet.
   We will be busy and I will pretend that I don't notice that Mom is gone...I will spend the day with my children and dh and that will be fine.
   I did pick up a little treasure for myself and I will share a picture tomorrow. For tonight I am going to put my feet up and relax...and wait for hubby to get home. 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Grief...

  I am going to be more honest than you probably want me to be. Yesterday,  after I posted a picture about my redecorating I had a meltdown. It was my own fault. They say waves of grief come at unexpected times and yesterday that is what happened.
  I had most everything done when I realized that I wanted to move one of the paintings that my Mom had painted for me. I took it off the nail and when I turned around her signature was right at eye level. And that is all it took. It was like a thief in the night, the realization that Mom is gone in a way that seems like forever. The panic of my heart, the tears the sobbing. A meltdown.
  Our youngest daughter was right there in the room and she just started trying to comfort me. I just needed to cry and so I did. I has been such a long 7 weeks without her. How many times I have picked up the phone to call her where something funny has turned sad...a very long 7 weeks. When a waive of grief attacks you it is almost unbearable. Mom has always been my best friend and without her I have become lost.  I continue to move and do but my heart is burdened with pain.
  Now I don't want you to get me wrong. This has nothing to do with faith. I have powerful Lord who is loving and kind and will continue to support me and encourage me. No, I am talking about the selfish part of me who wasn't ready, would never be ready to give her up. The child in me who looks for my Mom because she was always there and always the first to encourage. She was unconditional love and all the things I now strive to be. Yesterday was not a good day. Today my body is tired and I feel alone but I will continue to do what I need to do. To be a Mom who is getting her daughter ready of homecoming...to be a Mom to another who is struggling to find her place in the college world and to be the Mom my daughter needs as she starts her first job in her career and faces a possible move. I will do all these things because that is what Mom would have wanted, that is what she taught me to do. I know that this wave of grief will subside but for today...it is overwhelming.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Whimsical day 12...Redecorating!

 Well today was so dreary and rainy that I decided to brighten things up by rearranging the furniture and putting up some of my new decorations. Now the shelf was already there and I think I am going to paint it white but for today I decided to just decorate.
Sorry the pictures are so dark but I just could not get them to come out better. This room is on the north side of our home so not much light today. I will be painting this room within the next week!
This is what was on the shelf when I started..more country with a wool wall hanging. I love those birds but for now I will try to find a new spot for them.

I found a spot for my white pumpkin in this room too!
Here is a little sneak peak of  what I am working on but just when I was getting so inspired my dh came home and said some of our renters had moved out without a notice which means I will be spending the next week painting and working there so this project is now on hold...I will show you more when I get back to it.
Hope all is well with you!