Making a List....

of things that family is (and others are) requesting for me to sew for them.
So far....
DD #1 has requested a scarf, hat and mittens in black
DD #2 has requested a scarf, hat and mittens in black or another color, some rice heat therapy bags for use with her massage therapy clients and a tote bag for her business.
SIL has requested some boxers "that don't fall apart as soon as you buy them like the ones from the store".
and I want to make for myself a fleece blanket, and a couple of jumpers for summer, and work on 2 different gd some matching outfits.....
and a gal at work is wanting me to make her a "Colts" purse.

I'm going to make a list and hang it on my wall, so I can check things off as I go along.

How do you all keep track of things you want to do?

Well, it's finished for another year....

Christmas, that is.
Although, I do have to admit that I have already been contemplating as to what I can get started on for next year! LOL!
The blankets were a hit, from Grandpas to grandchildren, Mom had her apron on before it was completely unwrapped, and the girls tried on their scarves and hats, right here in the house! So, yea, Christmas gift giving was a success. We also baked bread and gave out fresh loaves and jars of homemade apple butter.
I have the best gift of all.....
eternal life with Christ Jesus. He was (and always will be) the "Reason for the Season" around here!

Beessings to you all, and I pray your holidays are just as wonderful as they can be....

Julie :)

Brrr.... Baby it's C-O-L-D outside!

As I sit and write, it's a bone chilling -1 degrees with a wind chill of -21 degrees!
I took our son to work with me, and now that we're home, he's having an attitude because the girls won DVD players each yesterday at a Christmas party. What his little pouty self doesn't realize, is that dh and I had already decided to go and buy him one of his own this AM after we drop them off at school. I know he's only 11, and just isn't thinking that as a possibility, but I get so irritated at his hateful, mean grumpy attitude toward his sisters because they got something he didn't get.
*SIGH*
Anyhoo~ I came home this AM to a freezing house (dd didn't get up and tend to the fire like her Dad told her to, and it went out completely) and now the furnace is on, shooting up the gas bill... AND to top it off.... our alarm system is beeping telling us it needs a new battery, and now we have to do that today AND get grumpy butt his DVD player....before we can go to bed! (I worked last night, and DH had to run to Kentucky for his job).
Haha! And life goes on.....
I did however get two large boxes from work that I plan to start filling with heat packs and tote bags for dd in Colorado for her massage therapy clients, and spring/summer outfits for a beautiful granddaughter..... so that's a good point.
Not much else to chatter about, so I guess I'll run off and tend to the fire and try to get it brewing hot to warm up this house! LOL!
~Blessings~

December 19, 2008

Things here on the homefront have been fairly busy with preparations for the holiday and all. I've been busy wrapping, sending, sewing and sending some more....

Sent out 2 big boxes to Colorado just on Wednesday, and then another box on Thursday.

In the midst of all the hub-bub.... we had another blessing to add to the clan....

Welcome our grand daughter, Payton.... Born 12-17-08 at 5pm, she weighs in at 7 lbs.

Isn't she just simply beautiful?

We are so blessed to be able to add her to our circle of love in our family.

Now Grandma has to get busy making teeny dresses for a young lady! :)

Christmas crafting....

A little gal at work has talked about my purse I made for myself, and I decided to make her one for a gift exchange we're having. This was a different pattern, and I used the rest of the blue jean fabric from Abi's skirt, and the lining was from an old skirt that my oldest dd had torn the zipper out of when she was in high school (she's now 28... LOL!~ can you say "pack rat"?) but I really love how it turned out. I still need to find a closure for it, and get that on, but I just love it!

And the little jumper is for one of our granddaughters. Kyle (Grandma's Calliou) was promised this fabric before she was even born. A lady at a flea market gave it to me when I purchased just a few remnants from her, and she didn't want the rest.... yea!

December 10, 2008

Today my baby girl turns 23.

Where did time go? As I sit here and type, my mind reminisces to her birth, the hard labor that resulted in nothing moving, then an xray that determined she had her shoulder in the birth canal and her arm over her head. Ended up having a C section.

Always did things her own way, that one.

We stayed in the hospital for 5 days together, her and I. She nursed and slept, and I was amazed at her beauty and her gentle tiny features and the complete and total little girl looks.

Her Grandma and Grandpa showed up together, probably one of the last times I remember seeing them together, my parents  both arrived and held this tiny bundle, and marveled at her. How perfect she was (and is) and how precious she was (and is).

As she grew, she excelled in everything she put her hand to. Or should I say, her voice. A marvelous singer and budding actress, her antics began early in her school years. Always dubbed "the smart one" by her teachers, she proved it by bringing home good grades.

At age 14, she began to work at a retirement community in the dietary section.

Always did things her own way, that one.

In her High School years, she often took on more than she could chew, in the form of drama, choir, Devilettes... oh my... the list goes on and on. All while continuing to work and keep decent grades.

She was also very active in church. Singing was her passion, and she has such a lovely voice. She sang straight to the Lord, and I know He blessed her just a little more each time she opened her mouth to give Him praise.

Then, after High School, my baby girl joined the Army.

Always did things her own way, that one.

She knew she was bound for Iraq, and took that challenge without fear, for she always knew the Lord was with her.

But the Lord heard this Momma's cries when my baby's many years of dance had done something to her hips, and she was honorably discharged.

Although she met the man of her dreams while in the Army, and married him, and they live entirely TOO far away from me, I can live with that. Knowing that God has been with her every step of the way, and will continue to do so, makes a Mom feel better inside.

She realizes this now, being a Mom herself, of two of the most beautiful grandchildren in the universe, that sometimes you just have to give them back to god and let Him handle their lives.

My baby is also a college graduate, and is a licensed LMT as a profession.

I am so proud of her. She's a great Mom, LMT, and wife to a wonderful husband.

But most of all.... she's a perfect and wonderful daughter to me, and I love her more and more every day.

I just wanted to put this blog entry in as a Happy Birthday to my most precious little girl..... my princess..... my baby.....

I love you forever Amanda "Leeover".

Feeding my addiction....

I went to JoAnn's yesterday, trying to contain myself (did fairly well too... bought what I went for ~~~ this time), and ended up buying a pattern for skirts for the girls and a slacks and shirt pattern for our son.
We've decided to send them to a Christian school (after homeschooling for 2 years), and they will need "professional dress" as it states in the handbook.
I am going back to school myself in March and cannot think of any way possible to effectively teach the children while trying to learn things myself! LOL!
So... off I go to the sewing room to get busy today!

Oh... I guess I had better clarify.... Miss Amelia, the "I'm15goingon30" teenager (who, by the way is turning 16 today) had a decent "grown-up" conversation with her Dad and I, and has agreed to wear skirts or dresses at least 3 days a week, and we consented to allow slacks (of a decent sort) the other 2 days.

So, I guess compromise has reared its head once again in the world of raising teens. Guess that's what it's all about though, huh?

 

December 1, 2008

Well now.. this year is almost gone... slipping by as quietly as it came....

I finally got the tree up and running....had to go to the store twice for lights, but that was ok, cept they had the ones we wanted, and we had already bought the very last box! DH fixed em up for me though... he's good like that.

She's only partially finished in this pic.... and my camera just doesn't do it justice, but you get the gist, I think.

I've not slept at all today (and worked last night). Well, maybe a 15 minute catnap about 3pm. I've been trying to work on an apron for my mother in law for Christmas, but it is wanting to argue with me, so I set it off to the side, and told DH that I would try again after about 4 days sleep! LOL! I did finish more gingerbread men to hang on my tree though!

Here I am, don't I compliment the tree nicely? :)

Dh has to drive to Ky again tonight. I'll miss him, but I think I am going to crawl in bed and sleep the time away. He didn't get much rest today because we went and toured the christian school we are wanting the children to go to, and then I came home and started on the tree. He'll be a tired pup tonight.  Keep him in your prayers that he comes home safely, ok?

As I said, we went and checked out the school today, and Abi LOVED it! She is so excited! I had to fill out a scholarship paper to see if we qualify for financial assistance, and we do, but we just have to wait and see how much. I am going to turn in the paperwork tomorrow, and the lady that spoke with us and showed us around, told us it is a possibility that the children could be in before Christmas. How cool would that be?

Logan's really not that shy, but he wanted to say that he really loved the school too! Especially the part of getting to play basketball next year! Wa-Hoo! :) He saw the gym, and the outside play area. We think we may start him in 4th grade again this year, and if he gets ahead, well..... GREAT! But we feel that he needs the little extra help another year can give him. And truthfully, I don't even think he realizes it. He's just so excited! He's already asking for button down shirts and cargo pants (no jeans allowed!). So we'll see.....

Then we have Amelia. 15 going on 30. Miss "I-know-everything-and-you-can-tell-me-nothing". She doesn't want to go to this school BECAUSE she would have to wear dresses a few days a week. No negotiations, no talking, just instant storm cloud brewing. DH and I didn't feel that she would be able to contribute anything toward her education by grumping and fussing and having a general bad attitude every day, so we are keeping her home and letting her continue her studies as before. She'll be alright. Unfortunately, she thinks as so many children do these days, that her little $190 paycheck every two weeks is going to keep her in an apartment and food and clothes for the rest of her life....

And thus is the life and times of the Hatfield clan.

November 30, 2008

Wow. All I have to say is Wow... November 30, already.

We had our Thanksgiving yesterday, and it was ok. Not quite the same Thanksgivings I was used to as a child, but guests that come for 45 minutes (or less), do not speak to you (not kidding here!), and yell at children for no GOOD reason are not coming to any more holidays.

My point being, I have lived with this type of holiday for the past 10 years, and I do not intend to have another one here in this house.

Step children (to me) that I have always said were MY children and treated then as such, are finally grown up and now continue to treat me as if I don't exist, will still be told we are having our holidays, but I am not cooking for ones that pick and peck and say, "I don't like this" or "I don't like that". And belittle children that call me "Grandma", and leave within 45 minutes of arriving.... uhhh.... no.

I am too old to have to dread holidays and I am not going to do it anymore.

Home will be open for them to come and enjoy our company, if they choose, but there will be no more cooking for an Army in these here parts! Only to have our meal pieced and picked over and have a "Let's rush in and rush out attitude".

My table will be set so all can sit around together, we will have peaceful music in the background... it will be a meal of peace and joy.

My holiday meal from now on will consist of parents and children (here at home) and if in laws wish to come, they are more than welcome. We will visit, and eat around the table and pass dishes to one another....

After ward, we will talk and maybe play a game or two.

The day after will be meant for others to show up and get their "I want a present" way of thinking....

Holidays are meant to have a thankful attitude with family and friends, and that is what I intend to do in the future from now on.

Just my thoughts....

Thanksgiving Day!!!

WE aren't celebrating until Saturday due to work reasons, (I have a 6p-6a today and dh had a drive to Ky last night) but dh and the children are at Mamaw's and Papaw's enjoying dinner today while I get ready to go into work. And that's ok... I don't mind, cause I work with the elderly, so many of which do not have famiy of their own, so I have adopted those that I work with and they have adopted me. :)

Saturday will come soon enough, with time to bake and bake and bake some more! I stil have pies to do, and cookies for my grandchildren that will be here (only 2 of the older grandbabies will be here, and since Grandma doesn't get to see them all that much... heck yea they get cookies! LOL!)

So without further adieu.. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season, with full tummies and many blessings!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New news on the homefront is that dh and I are seriously considering sending the children back to school. *GASP!!* What's that I hear? Moaning and groaning? Pleading and begging from those die hard homeschooling fanatics (Of which I used to be one?)

No, seriously....Abby really wants to go back to school and actually wrote a paper as to the reasons why she believed that school in the "outside" realm would be better for her at this time. DH and I discussed it, and we came to the conclusion that IF we allowed our child to go to school, it could not, would not be public schools here in this town, So we found what may be an acceptable alternative. A Christian school right here in our own town. We all perused the website, looked at all the pictures, checked out the calander or events, and the curriculum, and we've decided that we will go and request a tour this coming Monday (or Tuesday- since I work a 12 Sunday night). The school does offer "need based scholarships" and our income is well below the required level.

DH and I believe that this may help Logan to succeed in his schooling too.

We will let you know as time progresses....

Homecleaning for the Holidays!!!

Been busy for a couple of days cleaning. I want my family to enjoy a clean clean clean home for the upcoming holidays... and so do I.

First room was our bedroom. I deep cleaned in here yesterday.

My bed skirt is in the laundry and you can see my water storage under the bed... but oh well! LOL!

The floor looks dirty, but it isn't really. DH and I like our wood floors, but haven't "finished" them, and don't plan to until the Great Dane has gone to heaven. It just wouldn't be a feasible idea right now.... so we sweep them and mop them and are content right now.

Here's the other side of the room. You can see the African Grey's cage toward the left hand side of the pic. He's a pain in my backend. Was bought for dh, but he doesn't even mess with him. I want to sell him, but people keep wanting to trade me dogs, horses and whatnot, or make payments.... Maybe after the holidays....

See me gate at the doorway? We have a ShihTzu that hikes his leg on whatever he feels the need to.... and I just didn't feel the need to have him in my room at this time. (I keep a gate up at my sewing room door too...)

The bedroom furniture belonged to my Momma before she passed, and she smoked, so it has years of yuk buildup on it. So I scrub with soap and water, then dry and polish. Someday, I'll get it all! LOL!

Yesterday, I also tackled the linen closet.

That is awesome compared to what it DID look like! I am taking about 15-20 towels to Goodwill... we just don't need that many. Unless someone can give me an idea on what to use them for....

Today, it's the bathroom's turn. Right now, the shower curtain and liner are in the wash. I've taken everything off the shelves and wiped them down, scoured the tub and pot, wiped down walls and woodwork, and did the floor on my hands and knees, so I could get behind the pot. I'll get a pic of that when it's completely finished.

Amelia is busy hanging Christmas lights outside, and Abby has been helping me in the house. She has washed all the knick-knacks in the kitchen and dining room, and dusted where need be....

Logan is just being Logan. Getting into whatever 11 year old boys get into....

Together, we shall finish and have a wonderfully clean house!

DH may have to drive to Kentucky tonight, we don't know yet, so he's in the bedroom laying down trying to nap.

Well, time to check laundry!

~Blessings~

November 25, 2008

Haven't blogged in quite sometime... lost track of myself, I guess. Things have been getting out of hand at work and here at home (more so at home). Time to settle back in to a Godly way of life... or should I say trying to be more like Him. I've missed church 2 weeks in a row, and I surely can tell the difference in myself and they way I carry things.

Yep, time to straighten up and fly right, as my Momma would say.

Anyhoo~ I've been working on Christmas gifts for the family. Almost complete except for the baking part. That'll come soon enough! I do need to get my dearest son in law his batch of goodies made up so I can get him a box sent off to Iraq. Christmas gifts for him, and lots of goodies for him to have and to share with the others who are there. (Love you Monkey King! LOL!)

Next on the list is for my Colorado crew. Gotta send the girls and my babies some homemade goodies.... I am so glad the two sisters are close enough together to give support to one another. Just wish they were both closer to me. I called the other night and heard one of my grandsons throwing a royal fit, and it just worried me all night long.... Grandmas are allowed to do that, you know... especially ones that live too many miles away to just jump in the car and run over there. (I would never do THAT.... )

I'm trying something new this year! Trying to go as homemade as possible, in all aspects of the holidays. Made some gingerbread ornaments to compliment our tree this year. I think they are adorable! They make me smile whenever I look at them.

I painted on a few of them.... so here they are drying and making my sewing room smell delicious!

I can barely even walk around in my sewing room these days.... guess that's what a person gets when they have as many children as we do and as many grandbabies! LOL!

(And the only thing I would wish different: that a few of my children would grow up and realize that they ARE adults now... please act accordingly.)

(And don't make me have to beg to see my grandchildren... grandparents shouldn't have to beg...)

SO what has everyone else been doing to prepare for the holiday and remembrance of our Christ's birth?

~Blessings~

November 19, 2008

Well... today I worked on getting my CPR recert done online. Hopefully, it'll fly with school, but according to quite a few folks on a nurses board I belong to, I don't know! I imagine it will for work purposes, and maybe tomorrow I can find out if it will with school.
I also need to get ahold of the gal at work to get a copy of my current PPD and HepB vaccines.
Tomorrow, dh has to go to Kentucky for his job, so I think I will be taking our son to work with me for the night. What else can I do? I cannot leave him here all night without an adult, and our 15 y/o is adult enough to tend to herself, but not to tend to an ADHD younger brother.
Doc started him on Concerta yesterday. I am really having high hopes that it'll work without too much difficulty. I need to let the doc know here in a couple of weeks how ds is acting.
Today I finished a few items for Christmas. Made up a lavender rice bag and 2 Peppermint ones for gifts (those bags you can heat up for sore muscles?), a purse for 13 y/o dd, a pair of pirate boxers for one gs and a pair of pirate pajama pants for another. It's been a busy sewing day, but I am falling in love with sewing all over again... I missed it for awhile, but am finally finding joy in a hobby I almost let go... and I am increasingly glad I didn't.

November 15, 2008

Not too many changes around here, but I am now an official 3rd shifter! I go in tomorrow night at 6pm and work till 6am. I don't much care for the hours, but it will work better with the family and our needs.

Amelia got herself in a bit of a bind last night when she asked if she could spend the night with another little gal from her work, and we said ok. The plan was to get a  bite to eat, come to our house and grab some clothes and go to the other little gal's house. We got her phone number and said ok.

Well, no one showed up to get clothes, and Amelia didn't answer her cell phone, so Dad called the girls house and spoke to HER Dad, who informed us that he had not given permission for anyone to stay the night. Huh. So, a certain 15 year old strolls in about 10:30pm with her version of the story (not too far from the truth) and ends up getting her cell phone taken (which SHE bought with her own paycheck a couple of weeks ago)  away, and is grounded for a while. Huh.

The other thing going on, is that I have Logan a doc appointment this coming Tuesday. Something has to be done, and if medication is the way to go for his ADHD or whatever it is, then I'm all for it. Poor kid can't concentrate enough to read a short story, much less anything involving more than 1 minute of his time.

I did go to JoAnn Fabrics and buy some fabric for my guy's some underbritches... I'm going to try and get them cut out today and maybe a couple of pair sewn up.

But right now, my blood sugar is high (I can feel it), so I am going to go take a short nap and wait this one out...

Blessings~

Let me tell you a story...

It begins with a busy family. Almost too busy, as matter of fact...as we were, just a mere two years ago.

I was in school full time and dh worked full time, and I also worked full time on the weekends.

It was discovered that my Momma had developed cancer during this time. I had a mere 2 semesters to go in nursing school to earn my Baccalaurate degree, but I was determined to push forward and be Superwoman.... so I would drive to Ohio (3.5 hrs) on Tuesday nights after clinicals at the hospital, stay with Mom , go to all doctors appointments, make doctor appointments, go to the hospitals, radiation,  check ups, buy supplies, make sure we had the nurse down the road come in and check for the next week,  and tend to all Mom's bills until Friday night, when I would drive home (3.5 hrs), andn go to work 6a-6p every Saturday and Sunday. Monday would be class all day, then Tuesday would start all over again.

But I felt it was my duty to give Mom the very best care I could, and I think I did, because Mom knew I cared so very much, and she looked forward ( I hope!) to me coming each week. One week, however, I came and Mom was sick, she slept alot and just wasn't herself. She wasn't trying to eat anything and wasn't trying to talk (Her cancer was in her throat). I made an appointment with her doctor, and Momma was prescribed Levaquin, and good all- purpose antibiotic. I promised Mom I would be back and tend to her in just a couple of days.... when I did, Mom was still sick, and she went to bed extremely early one night. Or should I say, tried to go to bed... she almost fell, when I grabbed her, she began to vomit. We went directly then and there to the hospital, and it was discovered that my Momma was a diabetic, and her blood sugar was 649, and probably had been there or even higher for the past couple of weeks.

DH and I decided to bring her home after that, and when Mom was released from the hospital, she had a nice cozy room here, made up with her own things from her house.

But on Thanksgiving Day, 2006, Mom began acting strangely, and couldn't talk. She could still walk, and was continent of bowel and bladder, but her words would come out mumbled and jumbled....

She began to go downhill from there, gave up on eating, the dementia kicked in full force (doc said she was probably 10 years ahead of what she normally would have been if she hadn't have had her urgery), and we had to start setting the alarms at night cause Mom would go outside, she would strip her clothes off in the day, or even try to hit one of the children.

I ended up failing Nursing school by 2 points, with 1 semester to go. I went to the college where I had earned my LPN from, took a test, and was called the very next day for a spot in the class! YEA! But reality struck... I couldn't possibly leave my Mom and go to school daily. And who was I to think that I could possibly graduate this class if I couldn't graduate the other? SO I turned it down, with a sad heart.

Although I was only a slight bit sad, because I had asked God numerous times what I should do, and in the end, He answered, didn't He? I was needed to take care of Mom, and she was to come first. I gladly accepted that position.

My Momma passed away in July of 2007.

Here comes nursing school again. I tried to get in twice, but was denied. Other people had higher scores than I. Guess that's what I get for being an old lady, eh? LOL!

Anyway, after the latest try, we found out my Dad had cancer too, and although his final times were much different than Mom's, I was still there, and wouldn't have changed it for anything. Dad needed me, just as Mom did. My Daddy passed away just this May 2008.

I had pretty much given up on getting back into nursing school, and was planning to work where I am now, till retirement, and being happy doing just that.

But the Lord always has another plan......

I got a phone call today from the admissions coordinator at the community college where I earned my LPN. She said there was a spot open in the March class and asked me if I want it......

What can I say..... YES!

So, the way I see it, God intervened and put me exactly where I was needed and at the right time.

If we all listened to Him, and accepted His ways without complaints or whining, wouldn't this world be so much better off?

So, I guess I'll be graduating in December of 2009!!!!! (I think?)

My very wise and beautiful daughter...

... has once again set the record straight for those who have picked at her and made fun of her and supposedly called her "ignorant" for using her own mind.

My daughter voted for the candidate of her choice, and while I didn't agree with her, it was HER choice and one that she researched to her satisfaction.

Why is it that when people differ, it makes others want to call names and act like the children we are supposed to be raising?

Does it mean that I will be hateful and disrespectful when talking to her because of her choice? No.

Does it mean that she will be disrespectful and hateful to me because of MY choice? Again, no.

So why is it, that people that should be pulling together at a time of crisis that America is in (and probably will be for awhile- NO ONE (except the Lord) could get us out as quickly as we need to be), are now verbally attacking each others right to speech and right to freedom? Aren't these rights that we have as American people? I do believe so.

Why can't we, as a group of people, all work together...

Once again, we can use the Bible as our guide...

In Romans 8:28, we see that...

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [His] purpose."

So now, instead of bickering amongst ourselves about who was right and who was wrong... let's pray for the man that God has chosen to be the head of this country. No one said we must agree with everything that is said or done, but keep faith in your hearts and know that God knows what He is doing.

God knows what He is doing.

~Blessings~

November 5, 2008

November 4, 2008

I know.. I know... we are all so tired of hearing about the election and the voting process and how thisone is going to do and that one is going to do.... I, for one, will be thrilled to get rid of all the commercials calling each other names and such! If a candidate was so wonderful and planned so many good things, why not tell about what his/her plans are for America instead of slamming this one or that one?

Anyhoo~ off my soapbox....

Things have been fairly calm around here, I guess. We're finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as finances go. Thank You God!

And, we've had a blessing... Dennis' boss had a huge "estate" sale for his Dad's things,and so much was sold, but there was so much left... we were given whatever we wanted, and the next day at church, a lady that bought a console piano for $10, told us that she didn't have room and asked if we knew anyone that wanted it... of course, I had to say, "Yes!"  And Dennis brought my new piano home to us yesterday.

I couldn't fit it in the room I wanted it in, so I made room in the living room.  I felt it later on in the evening cause I had to put it by the fireplace and it was warm.... terribly warm.....

DH wanted to try himself to get it in the room I wanted in the first place. (You know how them fellas of ours are...  ) I had gone into the other room (the personal room), and when I opened the door, my hercules dh had picked UP the piano and had it on it's side, maneuvering it into the room I wanted it in in the beginning of this adventure!

So now, I have a beautiful console piano in my sewing room beside my machine, where I can sew and children can be practicing! Life is good, and God even better!

Ain't she purty? A few bumps and dings here and there, but she's a 1951 Hobart M. Cable. I'm looking forward to alot of beautiful music coming from her!

~Blessings~

HIke Through the Woods

Today, we decided "no school" and took a hike through the woods. Dad was home from a long trip and I had today off, so we spent the day as a family.

As we begin our hike....

What lovely colors surround us! What smells! What treasures! What beauty! I see in the picture that it still looks green... but it wasn't. There were so many shades of greens, yellows, reds and even a bit of multicolored hues.

These were a beautiful combination of a yellowish green that just glowed.

These little fellas offered a striking display of red in contrast to everything around them! (Sorry my picture is a bit blurry...)

When we stopped to get a drink from a spring fed "fountain", I almost stepped on this little one. DH picked him up and talked to the children about him, and then sat him safely on a ledge, away from trampling feet.

High and low were visions of God's glory, from the lowest point to the ground...

to the highest point in the sky....

Lfe was good today, and we enjoyed ourselves. Just walking, talking, learning, and being silly.

Dad came home and made bows and arrows for all the children (even Amelia, who ASKED for one!) And they had a blast shooting them around the yard and down in the field.

We received another call from the realtor about a house she wanted to show us. Small house, on 7 acres of land. It was ok, and I think we will go look at it, but I don't think dh likes it...he always says "not enough trees".

God was so good to us today, as He is everyday, but sometimes it takes a simple little thing like a walk in the forest to see where we're going, and what we need to do in life to stay on the right path.

Today was good, and it brought us together, if even for a small amount of time, there was no bickering, no harsh words, and no yelling. Thank You, God, for showing us the way we need to go. In all things....

To You, always, be the glory.....

Amen.

28 October 2008~ I've gone and done it this time.....

I've changed my hours at work again!

I requested weekend shift again, working 6p-6a. So, come this next schedule, I will be working either Thursday, Friday and Sunday night 6p-6a, or Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights 6p-6a.

Not only due to the pressures of day shift and the insane amount of "he said- she said" and the bickering that goes on, but for my family.
Now hear me out before you think I have went off the deep end here....

Amelia, the 15 y/o is a fairly responsible "turning into young woman" type girl. She has a temper like her Mom though, and 11 year old little brothers with  hyperactivity issues, among other things, do not mesh well into this scene. We're having a bit of a clashing issue between the two of them. Her with authority and not knowing how to assert it correctly, and him having to listen to a sister he really doesn't like a this point in his life.

I thought I could trust the children to complete their schooling whilst I was working too, but that is also seeming to have failed miserably. They do not do certain parts of their work, and tell me that they have, so therefore things are falling behind.

So here's the plan....

When I go back to weekends, I will tend to their schooling and we will do 4 large days a week to catch up and get everything in, then the days I will be working and need to sleep, dh will be home, (except for one day) and we will maintain our household and children this way.

DH is upset and doesn't like the idea, but he understands. I don't think the children are overly thrilled with Mom being home during the day (can't skip out on chores and schooling anymore), but they'll be fine. I wish there were two of me... one to work and help support the family, and the other to tend to the children and household. Or at the least, for dh to be able to have a better job so he could maintain the bills and finances without me having to work!

Guess I'll just retire an ol' 3rd shifter.. that seems to be my forte these past few years anyway! LOL!

~~~Blessings~~~

October 27, 2008~ Thought I would try this today

Monday - 27 October 08

Outside My Window... It's still dark and the world still asleep. I am up and getting around for work today.

I am thinking... How I wish and pray we could live in the country.

I am thankful for... The home we live in and the warmth we have on cold, blustery mornings such as this!

From the kitchen... Coffee

I am wearing... My nightgown. I haven't showered yet!

I am creating... Christmas gifts for children and grandchildren.

I am going... To work, I "think" for a 12 hour day. The schedule is messed up...

I am reading... About homesteading and growing gardens.

I am hoping... to increase my knowledge in Bible, and in prayer.

I am hearing... the fridge humming, and keyboard clicking.

Around the house... So much needs done!

One of my favorite things... A roaring fire in the fireplace, fall days, fuzzy, warm puppies, and crocheting.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Work without grumbling, cook decent meals, prepare childrens schedules for the rest of the week, and work on more Christmas gifts!

Here is picture I thought of sharing...I would LOVE to live here!

Have a blessed day!

October 26, 2008

Today on my day off, I did a bit of Christmas crafting. The rag dolls I was trying to make were killing me and making me dream of ANY other holiday but Christmas, so I changed my mind. I decided to make fleece blankets for the grandchildren instead. These three are for my grandbabies that live in Colorado.

This one is for Isaiah. White blond hair and huge blue eyes, a true little boy through and through. He loves cars... so his has race cars on one side and a road to drive match box cars on on the other! He just got a new toddler bed, so I hope he likes it! I love you SaiSai!!!

Now here's Jacen's. He (for some reason) likes to call things "monkey-frog", and his Aunt Amber explained to Grandma a while ago just exactly WHAT a "monkey-frog' is... he is one smart little cookie and is really learning to talk up a storm!

Last but certainly not least is Kyle's blanket. What can I say? Definitely the Princess of Grandma's heart....

Anyhoo~ these were my craft projects for today, and while we watched a movie this evening, I finished a potholder for someone special too.....

How are you all doing with Christmas crafting so far?

~Blessings~

October 24, 2008

I have this weekend off.... yea yea yea!!!

2pm can't roll around fast enough for me!

Keep precious dh in your prayers as he has another Kentucky run tonight and the weather is calling for rain. He's an excellent driver, but that doesn't account for the others on the road with him.

I emailed the realtor about looking at the larger house today about 3:30p.

Maybe? Maybe not.

We'll see.

October 23, 2008

Nothing much going on here. Typical work stuff, people being hateful and mean, work causing headaches and high blood sugars, but I don't want to bring sadness and depression to my blog, so I won't discuss that.

Instead, Dennis and I have been house hunting again. We have one that we like, but the people won't come down in price enough for us, and we have another we want to look at tomorrow. We did find one that is absolutely possibly the most beautiful home we've ever seen, but there is to many neighbors around, and no where to store anything outside! LOL!

So this other one we want to look at is nice, maybe a little big for our tastes, but I think it would suit us. There are 3 outbuildings that we could use, and I would be able to have some chickens! And there are some lovely horses next door!

Between the two though, maybe we could come up in price for the smaller one with more land, and maybe the people with the larger one could come down in price a little?

Only the Lord knows....

October 19, 2008

~Hello~

This weekend has been fairly uneventful. Of course, I worked, so that made it even more so, but yesterday? Now there was something weird in my life.

First of all, I woke up late, due to re-setting my alarm clock, but forgetting to turn it on, so when I woke up, I was 1 hour later than usual. Had to jump in the shower, had no time to make coffee (Abby forgot to make it for me the night before), get to work on time (yea, me!), get my pills out late... don't know why.... residents getting irritated with me, a lady falls in the bathroom.... such was my day...

Then I spilled cranberry juice and Miralax (kind of like Metamucil) all over the top of my cart, and those of you who know what Miralax is, understand me when I say... Yuk! What a mess!

I am so tired when I get home, I am so tired, DH had fixed supper, I ate and sat on the couch for a few at 5p, only to wake up at 7:30p and go to bed.

How weird is that?

So today has been ok. I have finished another Christmas gift, so that's a good thing.

I am going to make a larger pattern from my rag doll pattern and make rag dolls with sewn on clothes. Easier and safer for litte ones, I think. And... we just found out another dd is pregnant with a little girl due in December!

Sorry that I have no pictures to share today.. hope to have some more soon!

WHEW!

Does life ever slow down enough to catch up? LOL!

~Blessings to you all!~

pppfffftttt....

I am concentrating on other aspects of my life in stead of like what I posted below.

I simply cannot allow the feelings and attitudes of others disrupt mine (or the children still at home) way of life.

We live a good life, a clean life, and if others do not appreciate what we do and how we live...

then fine.

Thank you to my friends that prayed for me and that lifted my spirit with their kind words.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Now that I am off my soap box for  a minute....

Here's the evening hours events to the day.

Went this eve and picked up Amelia from work. She goes out on her own tomorrow!  She'll be great, I just know it!

Abi is trying to strike a deal with us, to be able to go to public high school, she is willing to wear dresses all the time. I tried to explain to her that it isn't a matter of wearing dresses all the time, it's a matter of education, and that I believe she would be better served here at home. But I promised we would discuss it with her Dad tomorrow... (I know what he'll say though... is that sneaky of me?)

We are going to work on some schooling issues tomorrow starting early in the AM, because the children are not taking the initiative and doing their work as they are supposed to while I am at work. So, we are catching up this Saturday and Sunday and then we are going to work every evening when I get home from work! LOL! (Thought they could trick ol' Mom, eh?)

Well, I'm off... I hear that little dingy dog of mine barking, so I had better go to bed. It'll be a long night cause DH left for a driving trip tonight and won't be home till morning....

~Blessings~

October 16, 2008

I am embarrassed to admit that some of my children do not respect me as a person, much less their mother.

 I am not sure what I am to them, a jerk, an idiot, someplace to steal from,  or a toy  to be used and thrown away like a dirty rag, or what, but once again, my heart has been stomped on by a child that I gave birth to and loved and adored and raised in the best way I knew how...

My son, Jacob, left my house today without saying goodbye, see ya later or have a good life.... he called his brother in northern Ohio, who came to get him, and when asked if he had called me (I was at work), he said, "No, I have a phone..."

I took him in, spent money on gas (over $60 on a fill up)  and took a day off work to go and rescue him on Sunday (3.5 hours away), drove all over town yesterday after working 11 hours, so he could get some applications, put up with a demon video game in my home, put up with him sleeping till 1:30pm and staying up until 2-3am....

What have I truly done to deserve such hatred by these children? I must admit, as I read some of the other blogs, I am jealous of the way your children WANT to be around you, they WANT to come home, they WANT to hug their parents.... when I can't even get one to want to call me on my birthday or Mothers Day.

His older brother did this same thing to me a few years ago. We took him in, drove him back and forth all hours for jobs... not once asked for any money, but yet, he called and was picked up like 2 days before Thanksgiving, and didn't tell me good bye, Happy Thanksgiving, or kiss my patootie....It was to be my first Thanksgiving with him in 7 years.

I was so looking forward to it.

I was crushed.

More than one child has hurt me many times with words and actions, never once stopping to realize that I am NOT the person that they think I am. I AM NOT the cause of everything bad in their lives, and it hurts to have all of my faults pointed out to every person that peaks their interest.

It hurts to have my name (and every thing I have ever done) dragged through the mud even to people I DON'T know,  people I DO know, and knowing that my children.. my babies...my precious babies are the cause of all of it.

It hurts to know that my blood is coursing through their veins as they are stealing from me, and from family.

I was not raised to be this way, and my own Momma would literally cry her eyes out if she knew... if she knew the things that her grandchildren have done.

And she did know... some of it.

And she was ashamed.

I will admit, my older children didn't have the best upbringing in the world, but I tried. And I have asked the older children to please forgive me for their childhood.... now the ball is in their court. I can do no more. I have begged and pleaded and to no avail.... I guess they will always hate me.

When our 11 y/o asked if his brother was ever coming back to see us, guess what he told him? "No, I'm never coming back here to see you.. I'm coming back to see Zach but I'm not coming here!" (Talk about a heart of stone....?!?!?!?)

and now... I am ashamed.

But there is one that gives me unconditional love, and that is my Lord Jesus. Look what His "family" did to Him. They treated Him like dirt and made fun of Him and spit on Him.  (I feel like that... used and abused...) But the Lord tells me to "Cast all my burdens upon Him because He cares for ME!"

He never said life isn't going to hurt or that everything will be smooth sailing, but He did say I can always come to Him... and that is what I intend to do. I am going to curl up on my Lord's lap tonight and have a long talk with Him and maybe a good long cry to go along with it. (DH has to drive overnight again, so I don't have to be "strong" after the children go to bed.

If you think on it, would you send up a prayer to soften the hearts of children that treat their parents this way? No one deserves to be hurt like this...

No one.

October 13, 2008

Well yesterday was a day from dickens.... got a phone call from our 20 year old son in northern Ohio, and he was saying that he had run into some problems and now he had no where to live... so we went and picked him up, a 3 hour drive, waited while he finished up some business, and came home. We got home about 11:30pm.

All the children get one chance to come home, and if they do well, then Praise God... if not... next time around, they can figure out their own way (providing nothing horrible happens and they REALLY need us, you know..)

It was good to see our two boys that we hadn't seen in almost 3 years. It's blurry, I know, but you get the idea. The young lady to the extreme right of the picture is the Mother of my grandson.

I also got to see my grandson that I had never seen before.  I had seen pictures, but never in person...

This is Keegan Matthew.... and he has eyes like his Great Grandpa (my Daddy).

I called off work today and of course, got guff from a co-worker who  says, "I'll just give you Be**y's number and YOU can call HER, cause it looks like NO-ONE is coming in tomorrow!" I told her to just write it down, and hung up. I did my part, now let them do theirs.... *SIGH*

I finished up laundry today, had quite a time with 11 y/o disobedient child continuing to be disobedient, cooked supper, had the washer overflow, took 15 y/o to work, picked 15 y/o up from work, helped ds make appointments for tomorrow to look for work, and yes..... I am still alive! :)

Just finishing up putting 2 quarts beef broth up and 2 quarts of chicken broth up.

Made 4 loaves of bread today (2 white and 2 wheat).

Quite the busy past two days, I would say!

Life is good, and God even better.

Here's a quick pic of the 14 year old sister and the 25 year old brother.... she's climbed up him and is hanging on his back. He is way over 6 foot tall by the way! (She's barely 5 ft)

Can you see the love?

Too bad we don't live closer.

Good lookin' kids the good Lord gave me, eh?

~~Blessings~

October 12, 2008

Well, yesterday was a failrly productive day... you know those days when you have so much to do but you have no clue where to begin? I had one of those... so really, not a whole lot was accomplished.

DH went to our son's house to have some coffee in the AM with him, and brought back our beautiful little granddaughter... so that was a good thing... except when she started getting tired, and fussy....

She refused to lay in her little portable bed that Grandpa and I have here for all the grandchildren, so she made a little attempt at the couch....with Grandma rubbing her little face and hair, she finally went to sleep...At least until the rambuncious and loud Uncle Logan woke her up....

Amelia went to work for her first day yesterday... and boy! did she look spiffy in her uniform! She said all she did was serve coffee, but that's pretty good for her 1st day, eh? She was excited, and I hope and pray that this will help her understand finances a little better. She just doesn't understand the concept that money really doesn't grow on trees.... do any young ones really understand that though?

I am proud of her....

Here's after work....and with her neice that never leaves her side when she's home....

And of course, DH and I did some impromptu grocery shopping after we dropped Amelia off at work. Weren't going to, but they had some 10 for $10 sales going on that we couldn't resist! When we came home, we straightened up our pantry downstairs and took inventory, so we have a running list of what we have and don't have. DH did it, but I can think if certain things he missed, so I think I will double check today. It was in pretty big disarray down there, and he was cleaning up as he was going, so that's probaly why things were missed.... and that's ok. I'd like to have a list of what's in the freezer too...

I have started the $5 a Week Food Pantry List ( http://theideadoor.com/Preparedness/food_storage_for_5.htm)  and want to be prepared, so I need to see just what I have down there.

Hey! I did get 2 buckets from Meijers bakery yesterday! The ladies gave them to me! Now when I buy in bulk, I can put separate baggies into the buckets and keep critters out of my food! I'm washing them up real good today, and I have some wheat that needs to be stored, so I will accomplish that today.

And that was yesterday....

Today has already begun... at 3:30am as matter of fact... with a crying baby who didn't want to go back to sleep until 5am for her Grandma. But that's ok. It gives me time to read my Bible a bit, and make my family a good breakfast.

So see? Waking up early is a good thing... even when you DON'T have to work that day!!

~Blessings to you all~