Home Simple Home

Different Directions

2010-01-28T08:31:00.001-05:00

Hi all!

Home Simple Home is coming to a end…..

I’m testing out the new template over at “Life is in the details”. Still have some tweaking to do, but I think I like this a bit better. What do you think? You will find that I have rearranged things a bit, so take a look around. Still have more to add, but not alot. As mentioned before, I was wanting to take this blog in a different direction but I wanted/needed to incorporate my “Life in the Details” and “Home Simple Home” blog together. It has gotten so hard for me to post to one blog much less two…but I still want to be able to write and share my home projects and other home related things, as well as those spiritual and Christian inspiration that I thrive on.

So if you were a follower at “Home Simple Home” I hope you will add yourself to my list of friends in the sidebar at Life in the Details.

I’ve spent to much time on this chore today so I am going to post this, and hope to get back to you all in the AM. Not to mention I have some blog reading to do.

Hugs,

Ephesians 6:12-13“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil inthe heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

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The weekend and some great giveaways

2010-01-25T09:02:00.001-05:00

Wow, I can’t believe it is Monday already. Where did the weekend go. I had a very busy weekend and the weather Saturday was perfect with the sun shining after so many cold dreary days. It was still cold but the sun somehow made it bearable. Sunday was another story, lots of rain, and the temperature we still cold. This morning, it is dreary and rainy again but with temps almost 60. But I hear there is a cold front heading our way. Oh goodie!

Saturday was a day spent doing one of my favorite things in the the whole world, scouring Antique shops with Michael and friends. We hit three Antique malls. I will try to share my finds with you later this week. We started out in Emmitsburg at the antique mall and I found a couple of little things. Then we headed over to Hanover Pa, and hit two more.

Me and my friend walked away with some goodies. After seeing all the prices in these places, it made me long for spring and yard sales. I am gearing up for Yard Sale season. How bout you? After all that fun, we headed to dinner. We hadn’t taken the time all day to eat and so at 7:00 or so we were famished. Afterwards we had a little Christmas celebration. We normally exchange gifts with this couple but due to all our schedules we hadn’t been able to fit it in until now. So it was fun to still have a little bit of Christmas. Now I can officially say that it over until next year.

Yesterday, was spent rearranging my furniture in my family room. I will try to get a few pictures soon to share. I need some help with one particular area. So would like your comments and advice.

Also, hubby finally got our elliptical machine put together, so now I have NO excuses for not exercising. Need to get this body into shape before my son’s May 1 wedding. I still need to shop for that mother of the groom dress. Don’t have a clue what to even look for. Help!

Since I was home yesterday I actually had a chance to cook and make a wonderful Chicken and Rice casserole, with enough leftovers for another meal. Not sure if we will eat that tonight or tomorrow. Tuesdays are normally hectic here in the evenings, no one is around until after 9 or so…so it’s always nice to have something you can pop in the microwave. K..guess I just talked myself into having it tomorrow…so will have to plan something for tonight.

Today will be a bit busy, Tori needs to do some shopping, so I am going to take her to look for some new clothes for work. She has a interview tomorrow for a new hair salon and they have a dress code, so she needs to pick up a few things. Plus while I am in town I think I will make a run to JoAnnes.

Now for the fun stuff…

Giveaways 3 of them. Woo Hoo!

For the first stop…you have to stop in at Sarah Mae’s and register to win her “flirty apron”. Too adorable. All I will say, if you don’t you will be sorry. Her little video is so sweet too. She shares with us where we can actually purchase these aprons, and there are some sweet, flirty ones available.Thinking I might have to have one of these on my Valentines Day list. Way better than chocolate. I like to spend time with Sarah Mae every morning. She has the most insightful and inspiring blog for me. Love her!

Now for the second giveaway…head over to Kim’s for a great Valentine Giveaway. I love all the goodies in this little treasure too. Plus check out her blog. And now for the next giveaway, you heard me right. The next one. Check out Donna at One Simple Country Girl

Whew, all those giveaways wore me out. Now, don’t just dwaddle your way over there RUN…before time runs out.

Hugs and Blessings

Philippians 4:8“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

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The Three Little Pigs & What’s a Christain

2010-01-24T08:01:00.001-05:00

Happy Sunday

Ladies, if you have been visiting me either here or at “Life is in the Details”, then you know I really love to listen to Chonda with her southern voice and all. I hope you will enjoy listening to her as well.

Chonda has such a powerful message in this little video.

What’s a Christian?

Maya Angelou

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

I think this poem pretty much says it all for me as to what it truly means to be a Christian. I think when we say we are a Christian, people expect us to be perfect and not make a mistakes, but that is unrealistic and impossible. But because I am a Christian and a sinner, I make many mistakes but I know where and who holds the answers.

Ladies, I let myself stress out over stuff like this. See, I told you I wasn’t perfect. Which brought me to search out some ways that I can reduce my stress at times. I found this little list at “Turn back to God”.

An Angel says, “Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn’t happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.”

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. KMS (Keep Mouth Shut); this single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small Problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you Jesus.”
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before.

GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

I hope this little tips will encourage you to “turn it over to God and become stress free.

Galatians 6:1“[Doing Good to All] Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”

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Happy Saturday all

2010-01-23T08:44:00.001-05:00

Quote of the Day:
I was so hungry I could have eaten a horse. But only pigs were available.
--Anonymous

Good Saturday Morning

Even thought the temps are cold, my morning looks like this

bright and sunny outside with deep blue skies. Beautiful!

Even though I have tons of things on my “to do” list here at home….like sort and purge the basement. Ditto for the garage, and reorganize my bedroom closet and coat closet and kitchen cabinets, and…oh you get the picture….

I I think I would rather be doing this today. I haven’t been antiquing since before the holidays and I think I need to enjoy some of this sunshine and get outside, even it is only 30 degrees.

Hope you have a blessed Saturday!

James 1:5“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

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This is me this morning

2010-01-22T13:05:00.001-05:00

Need I say more!

UGH!

Plus woke up to this…

One icy deck with ice still coming down.

What a day!

Happy Friday!

My house looks like this

2010-01-21T08:18:00.001-05:00

today. Tissues everywhere in sight. I’m feeling a bit under the weather . Although it is easy to give into this and I am going to rely on this.

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me"

Philippians 4:13

Hugs!

Galatians 6:7-8“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that naturewill reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

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Blogger Labels: Tissues,Christ,Philippians

Racing but not getting anywhere

2010-01-20T09:55:00.001-05:00

Have you ever done this? Seems lately I am doing more of this than normal for even me. My mind is racing and running through all kinds of scenarios, and I seem to not be getting anything accomplished. I hate that. This is foreign to me.

I’m starting to get back into blogging a bit, but really need my blog to take a new direction, and not sure how to do it, or where to start! HELP!!!! Seems the older I get, my interest and style changes, so I am left with the dilemma of where to go now. Stick with things I know, or the unknown and make it a journey to a new place. Of course, I am speaking in regards to my home. I love my home and it has been a sanctuary for me all my life, but my home as I have known it is no more.

As most of you know we are in the selling market of our home, so much of my things are in storage, and I feel as though I am living in a shell of a house. It’s hard to get motivated and energetic about decorating a house that you can’t hang drapes because you don’t want to put nails in the freshly painted walls, you can’t hang pictures for the same reason, and you have illuminated all furniture in the house that isn’t a necessity, all to make the house look bigger. So of course there is no extra places to display vignettes. So what’s a girl suppose to do. Since that is a scenario most of my knick-knacks have been stored away. And I miss them.

Which brings me to another dilemma, most of my little treasures have a “country’ rustic theme to theme, although I have been playing around with a more refined themes. Most of me is wanting to steer away from the “all country” primitive theme which I have loved for so long, and move into a more vintage and refined decorating style. Have any of you come across this problem with your styles? If so, how and what did you do about it?

I’m literally at a crossroads it seems and not sure how to proceed. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate your insight and help. Thanks!

Hugs to all and I hope you have a blessed Wednesday!

Cindy

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James 1:2-3“[Trials and Temptations] Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

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Check it out

2010-01-19T17:41:00.001-05:00

I have posted over at "Life is in the Details” about one of our stops one the cruise. Check it out!

Beautiful Monday

2010-01-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

today. Wow, the sun is shining and it’s so pretty outside, I really shouldn’t be cooped up in this house today, but the house is quiet and all my chores are done, and thought I would take this opportunity to get caught up on my blog and blogging. I can’t believe I haven’t posted since the beginning of the year….but it has taken me awhile to get settled in after the holidays and such.

As most of you know Michael and I spent the holidays on a cruise, and I promise to share some pictures with you…maybe I will get that done tomorrow…but since getting home, I have had to put all my decorations away. That is one heck of a job. Not sure why it takes me so much longer now than it use too, but it was a three day process and then the weekend came and we had to declutter and organize our garage to get the crates back on the shelves. So glad that is done, and the garage is looking much better now. You can ALMOST get a car in there again. Hopefully soon we will be able too.

Also since getting home we have had some deaths to deal with. Last week we had three special people to us pass away. Needless to say it has been a tough week. Certainly hope we don’t have to go through that again anytime soon. It is so hard to say goodbye to those we love but even harder for those left behind. My prayers are with these women because they all lost their husbands.

I have also been trying to put myself on some kind of a schedule and working towards getting myself better organized. Seems this is always a January chore for me. Last year I diligently put together my Homemakers Journal,so that I could stay on top of all the things that I want to do.

Below photo is of me sorting through folders, magazine, calendars, charts, etc.

Getting pages ready to put into my binders

Saving pictures for my ideas folder

Deciding which magazines to keep and grab ideas from

My little binder that can easily be dropped in my handbag to jot down ideas

Now the finished product….

All this to tell you after all that work, guess what? It is in storage in a box far away from me and I can’t even use it. UGH! But I am sure once I can get my little hands on it in the future, I will be so ecstatic.

I have also been trying to get myself back on track with studying the WORD!

So as you can see I have been busy since getting back home. I am hoping to get better at my blogging. I always feel so overwhelmed at the start of a new year. I always have great plans to do better, but always get sidetracked. I hope you will hang in there with me, as I have lots of things that I want to do now that I am no longer working. I’m so excited and feel blessed to have this time to do all those things that I have wanted to do.

Hope you have a blessed day!

Hugs,
Cindy

Happy New Year (a little late and from the cruise ship)

2010-01-03T19:07:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to say howdy and hope y0u all had a wonderful New Years Eve/Day! I will say that I did…spent New Years Eve in Costa Maya Mexico and News Years Day in Cozumel, where the temps were a whopping 95 degrees and believe me I have the sunburn to prove it.

At this moment I am sitting here in my cabin on the Royal Caribbean “Voyager of the Seas” cruise line, and thought while I had a few minutes would let you all know that I am still alive, just have so busy since the holidays started. We dock in Galveston tomorrow (Sunday) and will post this, don’t have access to the at the moment….but will post pictures soon, hopefully in the next few days….Monday will be a day of traveling from Texas, to Nashville to pick up our vehicle and then we have a nice long 12 hour drive home…so it might be middle of the week before I get them up…play to share some of fun in the sun….more to come….

Snowflakes

2009-12-13T08:22:00.001-05:00

How cute are these snowflakes? I think they are so lovely? Not to say SIMPLE. I am all about simple these days.

This project calls for textile, paper, and glassine doilies. You can find them at crafts stores and flea markets. As is the case with snowflakes, variety is welcome.

Stiffened Doilies How-To
1. Lay textile doilies on a covered surface. With a foam brush or roller, coat both sides of doilies with undiluted fabric stiffener until just saturated. Let dry overnight.

2. Press with an iron. Hang from thread or monofilament.

Give it a try….

Another giveaway

2009-12-12T22:15:00.001-05:00

Karen at The Bearly There Primitive Bear is having a giveaway, and if you like kitcheny gadgets and Christmas goodies, then you will like this giveaway, it’s all rolled up into one. Take a peek at what the winner will get. Is this the cutest little arrangement for your country kitchen. Simply adorable.

Now scoot on over to see the rules to enter and the deadline.

Go on now, skidaddle on over to visit with Karen.

Christmas hugs,

Cindy

A wonderful giveaway

2009-12-12T09:37:00.001-05:00

Oh my, I have just seen the cutest apron that Melissa Marie is giving away. You have to take a peek and get entered.

Could you imagine baking in this little cutie. I would love too. She has a adorable site as well…check it out.

Entries will be closed on Sunday, December 13th at midnight PST.

Christmas Hugs,

Cindy

A sneak peek at our Country Christmas

2009-12-07T10:59:00.001-05:00

Thought I would share some of my holiday decorating in my family room today. I hope you enjoy your little peek.

This is a little cabinet that I purchase last year at a Antique Shop in town, for Christmas I added some vintage tin toys and trees. I wish I had a better shot of this cabinet because it is so adorable. And I didn’t have to purchase one thing to put it together.

This cabinet is one of my favorite country pieces, and it’s alot of fun to decorate. But since this picture I have made several changes to it. (Note: update this picture with the latest addition)

This is my grapevine tree that I purchased this summer. I love it. I have clear lights on it with my popcorn and cranberry garland. It’s simple but so pretty. The little snowman tree skirt, I won as a door prize at a antique shop Christmas open house, it is quilted in old tattered fabric and it’s adorable. It couldn’t be more perfect since I collect snowmen…

This is one of my newest additions this year. I usually have this window frame out in my herb garden throughout the year, but decided to bring it in and clean it up and add my wreath. Just added a few of my rusty jingle bells and created a window sill scene and this sits atop my little cabinet with the vintage toys.

Sitting on my coffee table I have a tray nestled with some greenery and such. Nothing fancy about it, but I have a “thing” for pitchers…..and love displaying them throughout the house. Added a few candy kisses in a antique mason jar.

Wooden candy canes stuffed in another antique mason jar.

Atop my TV cabinet, I have sprinkled it with a few snowmen from my collection. Don’t you love my Christmas sign with the snowman. It was a gift from my son several years ago. The frame is trimmed in a plaid fabric with a felt tattered snowman appliquéd to it. Another favorite!

Now for my tree….I wish I had a better shot, to depict just how pretty it is….but I am not a photographer, I would like to get a shot at night when it is all light. My tree is all aglow with gold lights, as they put the illusion of old-fashioned candles on the tree. I get LOTS of compliments on it. Buried deep in the limbs I have placed my handmade Santa Claus’ from my collection as well as my bears. The ornaments on my tree are all hand sewn, or wooden, sprinkled with some old antique Brite balls.

Well these are a few of the vignettes' that I have sprinkled around the room. What do you think? If you missed the earlier post on my decorations in the kitchen, scross down a couple of post.

Warmest holiday

hugs,

Cindy

Visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads

2009-12-06T20:17:00.001-05:00

Christmas has come to my kitchen….it dances with candy canes, gumdrops, and gingerbread men…….and it just cozy to me.

Just a few of the vignettes that I have throughout my kitchen….this isn’t a great picture, but I put my little four foot tree in a antique red wooden bucket. My garland on this tree is a hard candy garland, and I have accented the tree with little gingerbread men, and little kitchen goodies. Although it isn’t very visible it is sprinkled with multi colored lights and it is placed next to my sink.

How cute is this next picture….my mom loved this while she was here. It was so simple and you probably have everything you need to do it. Note my tray, it is a yard sale find from this summer, a old cabinet door panel or something that they placed handles on. Grabbed it for a whopping $1. Don’t let anyone say I am NOT a big spender. ( I digress) Anyway, added tons of color by adding a candy garland, candy canes, and glass balls into different style and types of clear jars. Love them…and with my brown jar lamp shining on them it puts off the perfect effect. I added my little gingerbread house that I have had for many years…would love to have a bigger one….guess I will be on the lookout during yard sale season for that. Aren’t my little cinnamon candles the cutest thing you ever saw”? Not to mention “Sprinkles” my bear. Silly bear has batter on him…

This is what I look at when I clean my kitchen and do the dishes. It makes washing up the kitchen not a bad thing. I just tied some simple gingham/plaid fabric that I ripped to make pretty bows for my glass canisters. So simple, but oh so country looking.

Did you see my little prim tree with the gingerbread goodies on it with the rag bows. It is placed in a ANTIQUE Maxwell house coffee can. See you can use anything you already have to put together.

Next, we have my stove area, I just have my bread board sitting on top with my dough tray filled with greens and cranberry garland. I have tucked some of my gingerbread men in the greens and added another antique green handled small hand sifter. I think it looks sweet. I decided to add my little Cookie Cutter sign that I bought from Gooseberry patch years ago. Tied a ripped and ragged bow to my antique white pitcher. One of my favorite pieces. Last but not least, I added my Paula Deen candle on my little bread board.

Just a thought, I have found you can add a few springs to your shelves and crocks, etc, and add a instant holiday touch.

Now for the centerpiece on my table in the kitchen. I love old crates and have a ton of them….so I decided to fill one with greens and sprigs of snow-covered pine,and sprigs with candy , accented with snowballs, and wooden candy canes. And after everything was in the crate, I added “Ginger”, she is simply adorable with her little bow on her head.

So now you have gotten a peek into my kitchen. What did you think?

Pictures as promised over Thanksgiving

2009-12-05T18:36:00.001-05:00

I’m finally back…wow what a week…I spent the first part of the week finishing up my decorating for Christmas. That took me two days, but I had lots of things that I decided at the last minute that I was going to do. Originally I had decided I was only going to put out a few things, since the house was on the market, but I decided that I still wanted more out. Granted, I still have over 1/2 to 3/4 still in the garage…but I am now pleased. But before I get into my Christmas pictures…I decided to share some of my folks visit when they were here for Thanksgiving.

Tori and Mark

Derek just hanging out!

This is my sick boy Wesley. He had the swine flue and he didn’t feel all that well during Thanksgiving. Thank Goodness he is much better now.

My parents with the kids. Love this picture of them all.

While my mom and dad are here of course Mema and PopPop have to take care of their grandchildren and their needs…Right?

Well here is my mom making my son Derek, his favorite….Biscuits and gravy for breakfast….although in here she is actually making sausage.

And no trip to visit would be complete without my parents making my kids several batches of Sausage Balls…he is my dad working up the batch.

We truly had a wonderful visit with my parents and it was awesome having all my kids at home for 4 days instead of overnight. I loved every minute of it.

No Pictures Tuesday!

2009-12-01T12:17:00.001-05:00

Sitting here taking a break from cleaning my house.....you wouldn't believe the list I have for myself this week. Got lots that I need to do. But this morning, I got up and cleaned my kitchen and swept my floors, I really need to mop and vaccum but think I will wait until tomorrow to do that, because the weather is telling me that we are in for two days of rain. Anyway, I finally got caught up on some blog hopping and it was great to see what everyone is doing to ready themselves for Christmas. Giving me more ideas for projects to make and do...does it ever end.

As of yesterday I was laid off, with the prospect of going back to work sometime in January, but nothing for sure. Anyway, so I am enjoying this time at home. This is my favorite time of the year, when you have to be cooped up at home, watching Christmas movies, playing Christmas carols, and wrapping presents, plus adorning the house with the smells of Christmas.

I did take alot of pictures over the Thanksgiving holiday and will try to post some throughout the next several days/weeks. I decked most of house out for Christmas before Thanksgiving (which I usually never do) but this year things were going to be tight as far as time went...so thought it best to get ahead of the game. Did anyone go shopping on Black Friday? I did with my mom, but I didn't get much, nor did she....but we had a good time. I really don't like spending alot of time in lines. I love to go out during the season,because I just love the atmosphere but don't want to have to get anything. So looks like most of my shopping is going to be done via the computer. How bout you?

This past Sunday night, me and my mom and daughter and future dil worked on a little project and I will have to post some pictures of our time creating....so easy and we had a blast. We are planning another crafting session again this Sunday afternoon....so be on the lookout of our projects pics.

Hope you all have a blessed Tuesday!
Christmas Blessings to you!!!
Hugs,
Me

Kitchen Saga

2009-11-25T08:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Day before Thanksgiving!!! Hopefully it isn't as dreary where you are as it is here. This is the third day in a row of rain, and it is suppose to rain again tomorrow. The temps aren't all that bad, but with the rain it makes them feel much colder than it is. Can I say I am ready for warmer weather, even before we start hearing Christmas music?

My broken refrigerator saga continues, last night we went and purchased a new refrigerator and it can't be delivered until Friday, so that means we will be having Thanksgiving without my fridge. We have coolers sitting everwhere to house our food....plus my son is bringing some more over for any leftovers that will need to be kept cold. I feel like I am living in a episode of " Little House on the Praire" But through all this disturbance I am feeling very blessed. My parents are coming in today to share the holiday with us. I am looking forward to it. Should be a good time. Who knows we may even tackle some Black Friday sales. We are brave souls or silly some may say.

Just wanted to pop on and say hi and wish all my friends and their families a Very Happy Thanksgiving. Most likely I will not be posting until next week.

Many Blessings to you all!
Me

A Giveway

2009-11-15T08:51:00.001-05:00

Who doesn't love a giveaway, I know I do. Check out this great blog and wonderful lady, Traci, you'll fall in love with her. Her blog is just great, and full of crafty inspiration. If you stop in to sign up for the giveaway which the winner is drawn tomorrow the 16th...tell her I sent ya.

Hugs, and Blessing!
Cindy

in reference to:

"I am also celebrating becausethis is my 100th post!"
- Beneath My Heart: Let’s celebrate!!! Guest blogging and 100th post Giveaway! (view on Google Sidewiki)

Need a laugh

2009-11-14T09:33:00.001-05:00

She cracks me up. You will love her.

Hugs,

Cindy

On my Christmas list

2009-11-13T08:55:00.001-05:00

Every year I get a Gooseberry Patch calendar for Christmas for the next year. I have been getting one for years. Love them! Love all the colors and the cozy and “hominess” of them. Take a sneak peek.

Hugs,

A million different directions

2009-11-12T12:12:00.001-05:00

is what is going on with me today. I feel torn in all kinds of directions. Do you ever feel this way? Today I have a multitude of task that I really should take care of. I have started my ongoing list for all my holiday preparations and I am so glad. Let me share with you a wonderful blog for organization that I have run across, it is one of the best I have seen in a long time. Jill is so creative and she has such wonderful ideas to help you. Check her out at Controlling my Chaos. Since I am a advocate of list, she has the ultimate ideas of organizing Christmas, recipes, and blogs. Who knew? Check her out and I think you will love her ideas. Oh yeah, check out her recipes cards for download. To cute, and something on my to do list now.

I spent some time last night adding some new recipes to my cooking blog , most have the main ingredient PUMPKIN. For some good and yummy recipes to bring in Thanksgiving, check them out. Just click here.

This morning I have been puttering around in my house, moving things around….ever so often I get the itch to change things up a bit. But in all honesty, I really am ready to put the Fall decorations away and bring out the Christmas, which I may actually do this weekend. Bring on the holiday movies and Christmas movies. Speaking of holiday movies, I also posted over at Country Christmas a listing of all the holiday movies coming up soon. Care to take a look? Mosey on over here.

Guess I really should get back to work….just didn’t want the day to get by me without saying hi and sharing some neat places with you. Enjoy!

Hugs and Blessings,

where do I start

2009-11-09T11:09:00.001-05:00

seems like it has been forever since I have posted to this blog….no excuses really, except I haven’t been real motivated to do any house or home projects with everything else that has been going on in my life. But lately I am feel very motivated to get into doing some small projects again and with Christmas coming that inspires me to decorate and play more in my house. I do have a Christmas blog that I will be adding things to on a regular basis so if you don’t want to miss anything, please stop over and follow me on it. You can visit Country Christmas by clicking here.

There is so many neat things going on here in blogland and I am loving reading everyone's post. So many creative women out there. With my house still on the market it is really hard to do alot in the house without it looking cluttered. I think that has been one of my biggest problems with wanting to do anything in my house because you have to keep it “show” ready. And of course, the realtors tell you that make it look as big as possible so we have moved most of the big furniture out of the house and are only down to the bare essentials, and quite frankly I hate it. It doesn’t feel like my home anymore. :( But I am willing to do whatever it takes to make the house sell.

I do have a decorating dilemma though, I have a sliding glass door in my family room and at the moment it doesn’t have anything covering it. In the summer months that is fine and I like the sunlight peeking in, but in the winter, it needs to be covered so that the house has that warm and cozy feeling I love so much. Here is my dilemma, what can I cover my doors with, without putting rods up. Hubby doesn’t want to, in case the buyers don’t like them, or wants to put something else up. So I am stuck. I can’t think of anything I can do? What would you do?

K…guess I need to scoot, so I can start on my day…I think it might be productive.

Hope you have a blessed Monday!

Hugs!

Cindy

My day has been busy

2009-11-05T21:37:00.001-05:00

and I am just now getting a chance to get to my blog today. As you can see, one thing I did today was updated my theme. I have been wanting to do this for awhile now. But while I was in the mist of updating all my files, I decided to do this now, and get it done. Now I just need to do a couple of the others. One thing that I really had wanted to do today was start with updates on my Christmas site, but didn’t get around to it. Maybe tomorrow. Although I have a feeling I will have some errands to run because we are having family in town this weekend. I might just make a another list to work on next week and work on it then. And take tomorrow to get everything ready for guest. This has been one computer packed week for me. And quite frankly I am getting tired of it. :)

My day started out with me picking up the house and putting things away. I also needed to change the sheets on the bed and wash them. So the bed still awaits me upstairs to be put back together. (want to get hubby to help me flip the mattress). After starting the laundry, I got some dusting done, and actually brought out a few more fall decorations. Took down some of the halloween goodies. Once the housework was behind me I started working on the files on the computers. I am almost finished with all the transferring. WooHoo!!

Tomorrow I have a few things to do to get ready for the kids arrival.. The only thing that I really have to do in the house is clean their bathroom. I also need to run out and get some groceries, and possibly get some baking done.

So as you can see I have alot going on, but will try to get back tomorrow. So what do you think about the new look….What do you think it needs?

Gotta scoot, it is 9:30 PM and I need to find something to eat, plus going to watch the San Antonio Spurs with the hubby.

Hope you had a blessed night.

Hugs,

Cindy

Wow, how time flies

2009-09-05T08:50:00.001-04:00

My question is wow where does the time go? I can't believe it has been over 1 1/2 months since I wrote anything on my blog. Life has really been busy for me over the last month or so...it naturally is but for some reason this year it has been particularly busy.

As you see from the last post, we got our house on the market, and that is a experience all in itself. As any of you that have done this knows, it is alot of work to keep your home "show ready". So that has taken up some of my time, not to mention having to leave the house each time someone wants to come and look at it. Oh well, that is part of the process I guess. Everyone keeps asking....nothing has happened yet with the house, but we have had a abundance of second and third time lookers. Guess people are being cautious about spending that kind of money so they want to get the biggest bang for their buck. Can't say I blame them. So if and when it sells, you will be one of the first to know.

I also have started back to work full time and that has taken a adjustment...the early hours and early nights....so therefore my evenings are more structured and blogging doesn't always fit into the plan.

This is the first weekend we have been home in a month. Three weekends we had a unexpected trip to Missouri for my dil's mothers funeral. It was such a shock and sad time. She was only 52. I think our dil was glad we came down, just wish there had been more we could have done for her. She is such a sweetie and glad to have her as a part of our family.

The next two weekends were spent in Williamsport Pa, for the Little League World Series. It just so happened that both my hometown team, Russellville, Ky....the Logan County team made it as well as hubby's team from San Antonio...so of course we had to go and root our boys on. We had a great time, seeing old friends and making new ones. Although neither of our teams won the title we were so proud of them and the way they represented us. Our hats off to the parents and coach's of these young men. What a wonderful experience for them to carry into adulthood.

Our weather here has turn almost fall like, and I welcome it. It is by far my favorite season. It has my mind reeling with all kinds of things I want to cook and bake....I love the days spent out going to craft fairs, fall festivals, apple picking, hayrides, shopping for the perfect pumpkin. Is there anything about the fall NOT to like. God blesses us with wonderful warm and cozy colors to set the perfect backdrop for this time of year. Simply gorgeous!

I have also been reading like a mad woman...I have read some wonderful books written about the Amish...my favorite...and have a list of about 6 more to buy...both Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter have new ones out. Woo Hoo! So might try to hit a bookstore over the weekend to pick them up, if not...here I come Amazon.

Well that is a brief snippet of what has been going on with me...with alot of little mundane sprinkled in there...but overall just real busy and feeling real blessed. God is so good!

Heading out this morning to get me a manicure which is in great need as lately typing has become a major chore....so going to take care of that before much else gets done.

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Happy Labor Day, spent with those you love and capturing sweet moments that will linger as wonderful memories with your family and friends.

Till next time,

Hugs to all!

You asked for it

2009-07-14T10:35:00.001-04:00

So thought I should deliver. As most of you already know my hubby and I have been remodeling in our home over the last little bit. Seems like forever, and even though we aren't completely done with the decluttering in the garage and basement, the two main floors are completely finished. We put the house on the market a few weeks ago and have had several showings. But this weekend, is our first and I hope only OPEN HOUSE!

Although the house has been redone top to bottom, and looks great, in alot of ways it doesn't feel like home. All my little country touches are boxed away, as well as all my kids belongings. They have been moved out of the house. It makes me a little sad that my stuff isn't out, but I have to remember that this house is someone else's future home and no longer mine. I know whenever I get to unpack those boxes and see my goodies again, it will be like Christmas . So if you want to take a look at what we have done please feel free to visit our webpage at www.407taney.com and you can take a little tour.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think....

Hugs!

She comes today

2009-07-02T09:47:00.001-04:00

the realtor that is. She is suppose to be here around 2 or 2:30 today so I have a ton of stuff I should be doing. We had her by on Sunday and she gave us all the preliminaries and so now that that stuff is out of the way, she will be coming by today to take some prelim- pictures and measurements of the rooms. It's finally feeling real. She will have a professional photographer come by next week to make the pictures that will go on the website. I'm very excited but have to be honest and say that nerves are starting to kick in. We still have a few things left to do that Michael will work on over the fourth and while I am away in Branson for my dad's surprise birthday gathering.

My boys will be over tonight after work to help Michael move more boxes to storage from the basement. That was her only suggestion for us with the house, is continue to empty out that space. (She said we could continue to work on it while the house was on the market) We have been using it as a storage area since starting all the renovations and we just want to show it as usable/livable space. BTW, it is a great space, but during all this process you have to have a dumping ground so to speak. So for the last several months, that is what it has been. Although it is pretty organized now, it still has LOTS of boxes down there. I still want to mop the floors today and get my suitcase packed. I'm leaving early tomorrow morning on a jet plane to Nashville to meet up with my sister and nephew Caleb. Then we will drive from there to Branson. I am looking forward to this getaway, just wish Michael was going. We always have such a great time when we travel.

As I mentioned the other day in my last post, I was suppose to start work on Wednesday...well that didn't happen. Still more paperwork hangups...so hopefully when I get back I will be able to get back into the groove.

Well other than house and work stuff there isn't alot else going on. But guess I should scoot...got to grab a shower, find a book to take on my trip and pack up my suitcase and get that out of the way before she arrives. If you think about it, please keep us in prayer over this house, and me for safe travels. Thanks!

Not sure I will get back to this before the big holiday weekend, so if not...

Hugs!
Cindy

Original posted at Life is in the Details earlier this morning.

The time has come

2009-07-02T09:44:00.001-04:00

for me to go back to work...starting tomorrow I will be back in the rat race. Starting a new job and a little anxious about it. I have really enjoyed my time at home over the last several weeks awaiting all the paperwork to be completed. During this time off I have gotten alot accomplished at home. We finally had a realtor come to the house on Sunday and we should have the house on the market by the end of the week. Woo Hoo!

Today will be full of running errands and taking care of a few last minute things. Got to try to get myself back on my schedule of going to bed early and getting up early. UGH! I have really liked staying up late and getting up a bit later.

Gonna grab some lunch with my best bud, Donna. We have such a good time together. And we don't get the opportunity to "do" lunch when I am working so going to take this opportunity before our schedules change again to do just that.

Wanted to share a few pictures that were made at Tori's graduation cookout. Better late than never huh?

Tori and I

Me and my girl

Michael,Tori, and Me

Derek, Tori, and Wesley

Don, Tori, and Stepmom Colleen

Me, Tori and Don

Tori's cake and cap

Well now I need to scoot..hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Hugs to all!

Cindy

Originally posted at Life is in the Details earlier this week.

Let the weekend begin

2009-06-19T17:56:00.001-04:00

well here it is Friday and the start of another weekend. I love weekends. This week has been filled with a little of this and that, but didn't get nearly all done that I wanted to do. Two days this week I suffered from horrible headaches and it really slowed me down. Hoping that I can make up for some lost time over the weekend.

I did a little shopping this morning. All because I needed to go to wal-mart. I've had a little running list and had to pick up a few things, most importantly a rod and some curtains for my sliding glass doors. Granted I am not thrilled with what I got, but think I can make it work. Michael plans to build me a box to put over my door, and I am going to insert a tension rod with some curtains that I can pull to the side during the days. He doesn't want to put holes in the walls for rods since he just incased them all with molding. So it has left me with a bit of a dilemma of how to "dress them". Hopefully my plan will work.

Whilst I was out and about, I stopped by the local goodwill store and found me some goodies. I found me a set of 4 little white plates ($3.00) that will be adorable with ribbons weaved through them. Kinda like these. I am looking for some cake stands like these too. (Photo images from Layla Grayce) The thrill of a hunt. Let's see what else did I pick up. I got bunches of decorative lemons that I added to my glass jar. But when I was looking for some inspiration I found this great shot and didn't realize you could do so much with lemons. (Photo image from No Fuss Fabulous) Wow is there some neat things at this site.

After a quick stop in the GW store, I ran to Marshall's. I found the greatest little read there. What I have read so far is fabulous. I think it is one of those books I will want to have a few of to pass out to friends. It's called

" nesting it's a Chick Thing"

. Can't wait to read it tips, hints, and stories. As I was searching for this book on Amazon, I noticed they have another one that I am definitely going to put on my "wish list". It's a Chick Thing: Celebrating the Wild Side of Women's Friendship. Looks like some good reading.

Guess I need to scoot, hubby just got home and now this little chick is going to get him to take her to dinner.

Hope everyone has a awesome "Father's Day Weekend".

Hugs,

Cindy

More house news, and some goodie finds

2009-06-16T11:55:00.002-04:00

Hey ladies, Were do I start. Over the last several weeks so much has been going on, and I have just been to tired to post. Mainly because I couldn't put two sentences together to make any sense. Not sure if this one will either but I just wanted to let you know what has been going on and what I been up too.
Things are coming along quite nicely on the house. I just wish it was finished. We are down to the little things now, but that seems to be taking forever, mainly because we are tired and just don't want to spend anymore time doing it. We finally got our new doors hung, and I love the front door. It is so pretty, and it lets in so much light into a area that really has no light. This is not a actual picture, but it is this style. I need to paint the door and we have to paint all the trim on the inside and out. We used a Ventician bronze hardware on the door and I am very pleased with it. I can't wait until it is finished. We also replaced our sliding doors in the family room. Nothing fancy, just a typical slider.
We also had our carpet laid upstairs and on the stairs. Wow what a difference that made. Ours was so bad, it was almost embarrassing. That took alot of work to get it ready for the carpet layers. We moved all the furniture and also took up the old carpet. Then of course, had to make loads of trips to the storage unit.
This past weekend was the first weekend antiquing that we got away from the house and spent the day . We had a blast. I got several goodies. We traveled over to Hagerstown Md. this weekend and scouted out "Crossroads Antique Mall". Boy did we have fun. This is a huge place even though the picture doesn't look that large. There is also two other stores, one being a mall next door...but I had already been there. Anyhow, a few things I picked up were...
Jade-ite Fire King Pitcher-5 dollars, I also got a nice little saucer for 1.00 that matches this.

Vintage wooden checkers for 5dollars. I have a collection of old toys, and these were awesome. In great shape.

I also have a extensive collection of Wexford Crystal and I found 4 of these wine goblets for 5.50. Woo Hoo!

Well those are just a few of the goodies I got. I also picked up some books, one was a Gooseberry Patch cookbook for 4.00. And you know how I love cookbooks.
I hope to add some shots of the house soon. Keep your eyes peeled.
Happy Tuesday!

Moving right along

2009-06-01T10:51:00.001-04:00

with each new day. Ladies, I am so tired, but can't stop now. Since my last post, so much has been happening. My house is nearing completion and I am so happy about that. Although this is going to be a very hectic and busy week. In the last week we have gotten alot done.

I had a little problem with the outdoor spiket on Wednesday and so we had to have the plumbers here on Thursday. When I was leaving to go to Tori's graduation for the tech center on Wednesday afternoon, my tire got tangled in our garden house, and my car pulled it down the driveway causing the spiket to pull away from the house. I had a gusher flooding my garage. Now picture me, in dress slacks and heels running down to the neighbors house to find someone to help me. I was beside myself. My house was flooding and I was going to be late to my daughters graduation. I wasn't real happy. Needless to say, a gentleman from down the street came to my rescue, my hubby flew home from work and all was taken care of. We had no water Wednesday afternoon/evening, but we weren't going to be here for the main part, so the plumbers came first thing on Thursday morning and replaced the damage I did and showers were had by all in time for Michael to go to work. ;)

My dear daughter graduated from Career Technologies on Wednesday evening. She has been taking cosmetology classes for the last 18 months and working in a salon part time. She took her board certification test a week before and last Monday we found out she passed. So now she is a certified stylist. She was thrilled beyond words. This next Saturday night she graduates from HS. I know this will be a sad day for me, my last child graduating from High School. Seems like only yesterday she was starting school. Anyhow, my folks are coming up from Kentucky on Thursday to share the joy with us. I am hosting a celebration cook out on Saturday before graduation for some family and friends. Should be fun. Although I think I must be a bit crazy since my house still isn't finished yet.

On Thursday and Friday my new doors were hung. I purchased a new front door and a new slider for the family room. Boy what a difference that make. Now I have to decide what kind of window treatment to put on the slider. I just don't know what to do? Please if you have any ideas I would love to hear them. I need help and fast with this one.

This morning I had a man from Lowe's out taking measurements of all our rooms for the new carpet. As it stands now they are coming out on Wednesday to install it. Woo Hoo...after that, with the exception of a few little touch up projects that house will be finished. It'll be time to put it on the market.

Over the weekend, we finished up some more yard work and powerwashing we wanted to do, plus my daughter had 4 softball games, one of which was a ALL STAR game which she played in and they won. Just another busy week and weekend. But this week I have to kick it into high gear.

This morning I spent time in the workshop and garage sorting and organizing some of Michael's tools and such. When you are remodeling you don't seem to have time between jobs to organize your mess, and before you know it, YOU CAN'T FIND ANYTHING! So you go buy doubles and triples.

Tonight looks like a night that we will try to get some things back on our walls and tomorrow we will moving everything around upstairs to get ready for the carpet folks on Wednesday. Believe me when I say I will be glad when this time next week rolls around.

Need to scoot, got lots to do today...so need to get started. :)

Hope your having a blessed day!

Hugs!

I'm totally beat

2009-05-24T11:33:00.001-04:00

And I mean that with every sense of the word. I haven't had any computer time since Thursday afternoon, so haven't gotten to post. I have been working like a mad woman on a mission in this house. Thursday night when I got home from work, I started gathering and boxing miscellaneous ideas in Tori's room and worked on this most of the evening. On Friday, Wesley came over to help his momma out. He and I gathered all the things for goodwill into the back of his truck and headed out. Either they are loving me or hating at Goodwill. I don't have any idea how much "junk" I have taken there. After dropping all that off, we swung by our local senior center. I have a piano that I have been trying to get rid of, no one plays it here, takes lots of room, and it just too heavy to move again. So anyway, I stopped in to see if they might be interested. Unfortunately they didn't need it but one of the seniors there was a piano teacher and she said maybe one of her students could use one. Also the director of the center wanted my phone number and name and said she might know of some people, within a few hours, she called me and said she wanted it. SCORE! So she is suppose to call on Tuesday to set up a pick up time. WOO HOO!

Once we got back home from that little errand, Wesley and I loaded up our vehicles with all the things from Tori's room and headed to her dads. It felt good getting that stuff out of the house. Let me tell you. This took the better part of the day. By the end of the day I was famish and sore. So Michael and I headed out to dinner and done some grocery shopping. I wanted to pick up some things, because the kids are coming over on Monday for a BBQ.

Yesterday morning Michael and I got out EARLY in the yard and were there all day. I really got nothing done in the house except for washing the linens off Tori's bed, and ours. We spent the day working on planting flower beds. After that, we had 3 yds. of mulch delivered and we got that all out too. Do you know how much 3 yds of mulch is? Let me tell you it's ALOT! 2 yards wouldn't have been enough and 3 was too much, but we decided to put the extra in our veg. garden to keep the weeds down. So needless to say my flower beds look great. I mowed the back yard while Michael was working on other yard work. Finally at 8 last night we called it a night. We ordered dinner to be delivered and then we vegged in front of the TV for a couple hours, and it was all I could do to stay awake. So hit the hay, just to get up and start all over today.

We have LOTS of little piddly jobs that that have to be done upstairs and we have divided those up to conquer them. So while Michael is taking a break from inside work, by going outside...I decided to post to my blog, and update ya. He is power washing the front of the house,porch, driveway and the one sides of our house. He has already done the back when he redid the deck. Anyway, we want the front to look nice before the guys bring in my doors. My new front door and slider is going to be installed on Thursday and I can hardly wait. We also plan to call the carpet guys either tomorrow or Tuesday, and get that oredered and installed. So as you can see there hasn't been alot of time for the weary here. Just pushing forward. I can see the light!!!

Gotta scoot...really do have things I should be doing...feeling guilty sitting here when I know he is hard at work.

Can you say random?

2009-05-19T17:20:00.001-04:00

Hi friends, Just wanted to say hello and wish you all a great day. It is a sunny pretty day here in Maryland. Albeit a bit breezy for my taste, but sunny and pretty all the same. Looking forward to June because maybe the temps will be more consistent. Last night it got down to freezing here. can you believe that? Fortunately I don't think any of the flowers or veggies we put over the weekend suffered.

We don't usually do a big garden but we do put a few things out each year. Several different type of tomatoes. We both love them. I like the little cherry ones for my salads, and the beef steak ones, I use mainly for burgers and such, plus I like to use fresh ones for my pico de gallo. Boy do we love that stuff. We also put out several types of peppers. We like sweet peppers, but Michael has to have his hot peppers, so I always do some jalapeno's for him. I also like to put out cucumbers, because that is something I just like to snack on or use in salads too. My mom use to make pickles, but I never have tried that...but one of these years I am going to try it. I also put out two kinds of squash, I love fried squash and Michael makes them great. Mine aren't usually all that good, I think I cook them to fast, but his are always perfect. Usually I put out zucchini but couldn't find any...that is until today on my lunch hour. I ran out and found a couple of slips so I am sure they will be in the ground later today. :) Squash is such a favorite for us. We like to cook it in foil on the grill and add some peppers, onions and some seasonings...mmmmmmmmm yummy. I am ready for garden produce to start coming in, and cooking out on the grill. Nothing says summer to me like a big cookout.

So tell me, what are some things that you put in your garden?
Other than typical stuff there is really nothing going on with me. Mainly house projects but hopefully that is going to be over soon. Tomorrow afternoon, we have a guy coming over to show us samples of doors, and we are hoping we will be able to order them and get them installed next week. That is one of our major jobs still left to do. Of course our other major job is replacing the carpet on the stairs and upstairs. Hoping to do that in the next week or so. I will be so happy when those things are done. It will feel like such a huge accomplishment.

This weekend ( I have a three day weekend) I plan to go through my kitchen with a fine tooth comb, and clean out the cupboards. That will be a chore. But again, it will be a nice feeling knowing it is all behind us. It isn't exactly how I wanted to spend my Memorial Day, but hopefully I can get out at some point and do something fun.
Yesterday I went to the salon and got my hair cut and highlighted. Let me tell you girls, it is BLONDE! It is taking getting used too. But now I feel ready for summer. Well almost, I could of/should of tried to lose a couple of pounds but that didn't happen. Oh well, I'm hopeful I will drop of little weigh with the hot months upon us.

I will try to get Michael to get a picture of me in the next few days and post my hair. Be prepared to be shocked.
Well ladies, I need to scoot...got things to do.
Have a blessed Tuesday.
Hugs,
Cindy

More house ramblings

2009-05-18T17:07:00.001-04:00

Hi blogging buddies, hope your having a great start to your week. I am sitting here thinking about my day and all that I want to do, I have a list to make for this week...cause I know I need to get ALOT of things accomplished this week. Probably more than is feasibly possible.
Michael and I gave ourselves a deadline of the first part of June, because we have family coming in for Tori's graduation and we want to have the house finished by then. We are getting down to the home stretch and I am starting to get anxious. Of course, I'm thinking everything will not be done. I really don't want that to happen. So I really need to work on a detailed list. Seems like that is the only way I get anything accomplished.
Over the weekend, we planted some flowers in our front flower bed, but I still have about 2 flats to plant. Before we could plant, Michael wanted to redo the flowerbed border, then we decided to transplant some perennials that I had because they are getting huge. So after doing all that, we didn't get everything else done that we wanted too. Of course, I thought we were just going to plant flowers, but Michael had other things on his agenda, like redoing the wall and moving things around, etc.....seems like all our projects start out as something small and end up being a major undertaking with the time we have allotted. Alot of times it can be frustrating for me...because we don't always see eye to eye on what needs to be done. I tease him, that if anyone decides to buy this house, they want have anything to do, because everything will be done. In all likelihood, they will probably come in and change everything he has done. Anyhow, I am hoping we are nearing the end. He also spent time putting a second coat of paint on the 20ft foyer. That was a chore, but he ran out of paint before he finished it.
Two major things left to do are the carpets and doors. We are replacing the front doors and the slider in the FR. What a difference both of those things will make. WooHoo! We've contacted the man about the doors to set up a appointment to choose style and get them ordered but he hasn't returned our call. Poo! I really want to get this done so I hope he calls back today. We can't do the carpets unless we finish in Tori's room. We have some odd pieces of furniture that we want to take to goodwill from her room. Desk or dresser anyone?
I plan to make some pictures of the progress so far, maybe I can do that later today and post a few pictures.
Need to scoot so that I can get started on my DETAILED TO DO LIST!
Have a blessed Monday.
Hugs!

10 tips for creating a cozy interior

2009-05-17T14:19:00.001-04:00

Hi ya'll, as you know I have been trying to get my house organized and ready to sell. So lately my post have been about how to do just that. So after hours and hours of searching for practical solutions and then some of my own, I have been posting them here. I don't believe you can have to many "easy" solutions to help us as well as free up some of our time for other things we enjoying doing. Right?

I find it really hard to make a house cozy and warm and inviting with over half your belonging packed away in a box. So I ran across this article and will be implementing some of them on making a cozy interior.

Sharing some pictures from model homes...

We asked Anne Côté, style director for Chocolat magazine, to give us the inside scoop on how to make a home feel warmer. Here are 10 amazingly simple ways to create a snug and intimate space.

By Text: Mélanie Pratte

1. Accessorize your foyer.
A welcoming entranceway makes visitors feel at home as soon as they set foot inside the door. Space a bit cramped? Even a small shelf for keys and mail will add a touch of comfort. According to our expert "It's as though your home is holding out its hand to help you take off your shoes and hang up your coat."

2. Bring the outside in.
You know that empty corner you glance at every day? Côté suggests brightening it up with flowers, or maybe berries and greenery bought at the market; even the supermarket may have something fresh and green.

3. Install dimmer switches.
To create an intimate ambiance, the interior design guru recommends installing a dimmer function on your light switches. It's a simple way to vary the lighting in a room according to your mood.

4. Scatter a few rugs around.
You can have cozy toes, eat your breakfast picnic style, even read the newspapers on the living room floor if you throw down some soft rugs down.

5. Create an elegant table setting.
Goodbye stained tablecloths and scratched plates! Our home decor expert invites us to go all out, even if it's just you eating: Cover the table with a length of tasteful fabric and get out your best dishes.

6. Become a candle collector.
Nothing creates a warmer ambiance than soft candlelight - The more candles, the better," claims Côté. Create arrangements you can vary depending on your mood or the season.

7. Make your couch a soft and cozy sanctuary.
A nice wooly blanket or throw draped casually over your favorite couch will add a touch of softness to your decor - and you can wrap it around yourself when you're watching TV. Kick up the comfort factor with big, comfy cushions. You can find them anywhere and they come in an infinite number of colours and styles.

8. Brighten up your walls with travel photos.
Fight against the dying of the light by hanging framed prints of your best travel photos in rooms or along the hallway. Our expert says that not only will they bring back fond memories, they will also act as an original conversation piece.

9. Play music, sweet music, music everywhere . . .
Make your home more welcoming by replacing TV sound with soothing music. If you have a laptop and portable speakers, you can tap into the Web's infinite resources to create your own personal playlist.

10. Stimulate your scents of smell.
"Everyone knows aromas can take you far away," says our expert. Her first suggestion is to burn incense or put a log on the fireplace for a quick cocooning effect. If you don't have a fireplace, you can burn some Papier d'Arménie, an old-fashioned air purifier scented with vanilla and resin, originally from the Middle East. Slip in a DVD that shows a crackling fire and glance at it from time to time when you look up from your book. "It sounds kitschy, but it really works," Côté claims.

Have fun decorating!

TGIF

2009-05-15T13:16:00.000-04:00

Hi ya friends, Hope this finds you all having a great Friday. Mine has been so far. I am so excited that the weekend is upon us though. I had great plans for my yard this weekend, but looks like our weather has changed and we are suppose to get lots of rain. So hoping between rain storms I can get a few flowers in the ground.
Last night I worked in my room and boxed up all the books I had on my shelf. I also packed up some knickknacks that I had out that could go into storage. I have quite a bit more in there to back. I ran out of boxes so didn't get everything boxed that I wanted/needed to. But will continue to work on that throughout the weekend.
Michael also got our foyer painted. He thinks it needs another coat so he might give it another once over sometime this weekend. We have several little piddly jobs that we are going to try to finish up. Seems like all of our chores have been big projects and I think he and I need some time to just take care of some of the little things and start sorting our boxes for storage/goodwill/toss.

I think tonight is going to be a busy night as we have several activities going on, several groups of friends want us to do things, we just have to chose what we are going to do.It'll be nice to get out for awhile. And tomorrow my daughter has her prom, so I have to make sure we get to her dad's to get pictures, so I can post some for you.

Not sure if I will be around this weekend...but hopefully I will have some pictures soon to show you of my daughter and all the hard work we have been doing around our house.

Hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Hugs!

More to do...

2009-05-14T15:46:00.003-04:00

The first portion of this post was also posted at my "Life in the Details", but added some tips for you at the bottom of this post.
How ya'll doin? Can you believe that this month is half way over? I'm not sure where the time is going but it is moving, I think the older we get the faster time travels. Before long, instead of getting ahead, I am going to be falling way behind. So glad Michael got the yard work done last night, because the rain set in this morning. It rained all the way into work on me. Word has it, it isn't suppose to rain all day. We will see. Right now the clouds look grab and drab. Poo! But that makes it a good day to work in the house..huh? So back to my list.

Last night I finally got my main floor cleaned completely up with the exception of a few boxes that we need to move to the garage for storage. They are just to heavy for me to lift alone...but other than that..I finally feel like I can breathe again. I hate when my house is in a state of chaos'. My plans for today are to start on my room upstairs. I have a antique cabinet in there that has all my collection of books (that I want to keep), so I need to box all them up. So we can remove the cabinet from the room. I also have a chest at the foot of my bed that houses bunches of my handbags, so I need to box them up as well. Need to get that chest out of my room. I'm trying to create space as well as have things out of the way for the carpet layers. Basically my room is going to get a good clean.

I think Michael is going to start painting in the foyer. We have a tall foyer (20 ft.) so he is going to freshen that up with a coat a paint and bring it on up the stairs into the hall area. After that...ALL the painting will be done in the house. Woo Hoo! So guess that means we will both be busy tonight.
I am hoping that I can get that done tonight since tomorrow night there are some things I want to, and don't want to feel the pressure of not completing my goals for the week. I have my weekend list started too.

"The 7 Habits of Very Organized People" by Maria Gracia

"Have you ever wondered how some people could be so very organized, when you're struggling on a daily basis just to get your home looking halfway presentable and to get at least a few items checked off of your To Do list?
Most organized people follow a few simple rules. Here are the 7 habits of very organized people.

1. They have a place for everything. Every item they have has a consistent, assigned home. The home for books is on the book shelf. The home for toys is in the toy room on the toy shelves. The home for blank greeting cards is in the greeting card organizer in the office.
2. They put things back. Whenever an item has been removed from its assigned home, it is used for whatever reason and then immediately returned to its home when no longer in use. There are no temporary holding places. It's just put back where it belongs, right away.
3. They write things down. Organized people make lists and notes, and keep these in one consistent place such as a planner, notebook or calendar. They don't try to remember things in their heads. They let the pen and paper (or the computer) work for them. They reference their lists and notes on a daily basis. Many use the Get Organized Now! Easy Organizer as a tool:http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezorganizer.html
4. They don't allow papers to pile up. Papers to file are filed each day, not left to grow into mountains. Mail is opened over the recycle container so papers not needed don't even have a chance to multiply. Kids permission slips are signed right away and sent back to school with the kids. Bills are tucked into a bill paying system until bill paying day, and paid bill statements are filed away that day. Magazines are read within a week or two and then recycled or donated.
5. They don't procrastinate. When something has to be done, organized people schedule time to do it and then they keep that scheduled appointment. They know that the more they delay, the more likely deadlines will be missed or opportunities will pass.
6. They set goals and assign deadlines. They know if they want to get things done, they need to know exactly what they want the end result to be and by what date. They review these goals often and set aside time each day to work on achieving them. They review what they've accomplished and never forget to reap the rewards.
7. They only keep what they use and/or they enjoy. They can't stand anything taking up space that doesn't have a useful or pleasurable purpose in their lives. They're big believers in simplicity. They breathe easier knowing they've lightened their loads and can move easily without having to climb over boxes and piles of clutter.
Do you have any organizational tips that help you stay on track? Let me know.

Wrapping this up so I can get started....
Blessings to you all!

The yard is calling....

2009-05-13T17:25:00.002-04:00

Hi ya'll! Today is yard day! Yeppers! The yard has to be mown again before the rains come again tomorrow. One good thing about doing it today is maybe we will not have to do it again this weekend...but depending on the rain, we just might. Seems like the lawn has been getting cut twice a week. Michael and I are both particular about the lawn. I just think it sets the tone of the home at first glance. If you have a yard that is unkept and overgrown, then you can't help speculate at what the inside must look like. Or is that just me? If a yard is well manicured then usually the inside of the house has been taken care of too. The weather is in the 70's here today so that makes it nice weather to do it.

This weekend I hope to get to get out and get some annuals for a splash of color for the yard. All my perennials are doing great and look wonderful. But I haven't had the time or opportunity to get anything for my flower pots.

Well, need to get outside and get at it....
Sending hugs!

Disorganized Life Syndrome?

2009-05-12T17:41:00.002-04:00

I'm back! Bet you didn't even miss me huh? Last night, I worked on my living room. Woo Hoo! Glad I can see the floor in there now. Before, you couldn't move in there. Hubby did a awesome job on the new floors. Love them!!! The room is put back together, but I have little trinkets filling up my dining room table until I find a new home for them. We still need to hang some blinds in there, but that isn't a major deal. Other than that, I think it is done.

We also had a bunch of boxes that need to go to our storage unit sitting in the middle of the floor, and we moved those to the garage as a holding station until we have enough stuff to warrant another trip over there. We also had several bags and boxes for goodwill. I am thrilled that we moved them out of the living room, so now I have a little more space to move now. When my house is unorganized I feel terrible, and now I know why...I have DLS! Do you?

Awhile back I found this article at Refining Life!

Do You Have DLS: Disorganized Life Syndrome?

By Jan Hayner

Symptoms: messy tendencies, packrat feelings, mental confusion, lack of order, constantly losing things, loss of control, depression, high anxiety, feelings of hopelessness and a massive feeling of the world closing in on you. (Boy can I relate to these symptoms)

Sound like you? Almost all of us go through this several times a year - especially around spring and fall cleaning times.

What is the remedy?

1. Make a list of your problem areas
2. List why they bother you
3. Decide what you are going to do about it and at what level are you going to be happy with the outcome?

The first two items are easy to do, but what about the third item on your list?

That is the one that gives us the most problems in completing the task. We become so over-whelmed that we give up.

For some reason we always tend to think that if things aren't done like Martha Stewart, it isn't good enough. This can lead to projects being in a constant stage of organization – never quite done to what we think is expected. We need to lose those expectations we’ve buried ourselves under. Our goal at that point to should be to get it under control and keep it there. Take things down to the simplest form and decide how you will organize it so that you are happy with the outcome for this particular time in your life.

This same theory can be used in every project that you do whether it is at home, in the office or any recreational hobbies you may have.

Always remember that once you have something organized to the point of satisfaction for you, it will relieve the stress and anxiety and make life brighter and easier to cope with. Not to mention a lot easier to keep up and to re-organize later!

Do you have DSL? If so, I hope this remedy will help you too!

Hugs,

Cindy

Kitchen Inspiration

2009-05-11T20:47:00.006-04:00

Hi Ya'll! Happy Monday! I hope all you Mothers had a wonderful day with you kids yesterday. I had a chance to spend a little bit of time with mine and it was wonderful. I am so proud of young adults that they have grown into. They do a momma proud.

My weekend was spent working on the house, as I knew it would...but am really glad that we had such a productive weekend. Even though everything we wanted to do didn't get done, I think it is attainable this week. Michael completed some of the projects and I worked on getting the Kitchen, Family Room and Dining Room and Living Room back in order. I succeeded with the exception of the Living Room, which I will work on a little everyday this week after work. I can't wait to show you all some of the pictures once it is completed. (we are working against a deadline because my daughter graduates the first of June and we want to have EVERYTHING done by then because we have out of town guest coming in).

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
~Robert Collier

With these renovations comes a new sense of organization and design. I have ALOT of stuff, so I am packing lots of that stuff away. Mainly for myself, but also when the time comes to sell our home, I know prospective buyers don't want to see all my knicks knacks. So going for a more clean look. So that is where the inspiration comes in. Some kitchens that I love...

So what do you think of these kitchens? Have any great inspiration sites, if you do, please share?

Cindy

Weekend Plans

2009-05-08T15:43:00.006-04:00

Howdy friends,I am so glad it is the weekend. I can't wait to sit in my jammies and sip my coffee out on my deck in the morning.

I'm hoping I can get a few things done without a bunch of interruptions too . Don't know about you, but when I get started, I hate to have to stop. Don't you?

My primary goal this weekend, is to get my main floor back in order and more things boxed up and put into storage. Once I can actually walk through the main floor again, it will be like I have a new house, I can't tell you how eager and excited I am to see how it all is going to look with all the hard work that Michael has put into it. Poor man, he works all day and comes home and works all night. He is such a trooper. I am one blessed woman.

I'm also working on a shopping list, you know for those things that you need so that your house looks new and clean when folks come in to view it. So far my little list consist of:

pillows for the sofa (now that it is in the Living Room)
Decorative towels for the downstairs bathroom
possibly window coverings for LR/ FR

If you can think of any small little touches that I should add, leave me the idea in the comments...K?

Yesterday on my lunch hour, I took a little stroll over to "Home Goods" and "Pier 1". . Boy do they have some pretty stuff at "Home Goods" , my head starting reeling and going a mile a minute with all the things I would LOVE to have. So pretty.If you have one near you and haven't been yet, it is really worth the time. Basically trying to get some ideas and inspiration, and the creative juices flowing, if you know what I mean.

Over these last several months that I have been away from my computer I have been scouring websites for inspiration to use while staging my house, and for my new home, wherever it might be. Some sites that I just love are:

Bienvenue
Cynthia's Cottage Design
Nesting Place
The Lettered Cottage

Again, if you have any sites you just love for inspiration please do share....

Guess I should hop off here and start my weekend instead of writing about it. Got lots to do, and only two full days to do it in.
Hope you all have a wonderful "Mother's Day" if I don't get back before then.
Blessings!

Happy Mothers Day!!!

Playing catch up with ya'll

2009-05-07T17:38:00.002-04:00

Happy Thursday all you happy homemakers!!!!

I know three post in row...wow, can you believe it? Today, I want to try to put myself back onto some kind a schedule with this blog. I love blogging, but for various reasons over the last several(more than that) months real life has been kicking me in the behind. I hate it when that happens. But I am hopeful and optimistic that that is changing. So I basically want to jump in and share all kinds of stuff with you.

As most of you know, I work full time with a hefty commute on top of everything...and back in the fall my work hours changed and drastically effected my home life as well as my physical being. I just never could seem to get caught up or energized and motivated. But in the last week, my work hours have changed again, and I am feeling more like my old self and life is starting to spring back into my step. Praise God!!!! Hence, that is why I am hoping that my "blogging life" will be a bit better. Still not perfect, but much better than it was.

Before I get started I want to share with you one of my favorite new hangouts. I am telling you that it is addicting, so if you don't want to "lose more time in your day" then my all means DO NOT check it out. But if you WANT to, let me take you there. Just click on the image and it will take you to Aunt Ruthie's place. The women are great and I just love reading all the topics.

Now on to "HOUSE STUFF"

If you read a few post ago about all the renovations that my hubby and I are doing then you know that we have been busy. We finally got the wood floors down in the living room and the walls repainted. It looks great. My hubby is such a wonderful handyman. Now he has moved into the family room/kitchen. We aren't doing alot of work other than painting in there , but he is repainting the walls (Boston Creme) so therefore we MOVED ALL the furniture out of the room so that he didn't have to paint around things. Boy what a big difference this color choice is. My walls were a green color, which I really liked, but this color is so light and it makes the room look much bigger. Now, let me state that I really didn't want to paint this room, because there wasn't anything wrong with the color that was in there. Even though it was a dark color it works with many different palettes. But hubby wanted too, and I am GLAD he stuck to his guns on this, because it does look better. Once it is done, I will have to do some before and after shots for you. Also we are touching up all the cabinets. Over time there are a few little chips of paint. Overall though it looks much better. Our goal is to be able to move furniture back into the room by the weekend and box up our goodies that we don't want to have out when we get ready to put the house on the market. I have spent alot of time reading up on "staging the house". Nester did a whole series on staging your home for sale and had some great ideas that I am taking to heart.

Also, I have been doing a little shopping. Last fall, Michael's mom (whom was terminally ill at the time) gave all her children and their spouses money for Christmas, as she knew she wouldn't be here by Christmas time (she passed away in early November) she wanted us to buy something with the money she gave us as her Christmas present to us. So needless to say, I have been holding onto my money because I wanted my present from Betty to be something that I would truly enjoy and wasn't "trendy" or "wasteful". I wanted a gift that I could pass down or get a long time of use from it. As my reminder of this special lady. Before I tell you what I spent my money on, I will tell you that Michael got himself a Barrister bookcase. He had wanted one for a long time and he found a great deal on one in a local antique shop so now it resides in his office. He loves it and so do I. Now, for me, I bought a 12 placesetting of Longaberger pottery dishes (Ivory) and accessory pieces. I can't wait for them to come in. Michael and I didn't buy china when we married, but I wanted something new and nice but it has to go with all my decorating styles and colors...so I chose something that would accomplish all that. :) I have a farmhouse style hutch, open shelves, etc....and I think I am going to put them in there. If anyone has any great idea for decorating my hutch or some great resources, please let me know. Just leave me a note in the comment section.

For now, I think I am going to wrap this up.

Have a blessed rest of the week.

Hugs!

Cindy

Happy Wednesday Everybody

2009-05-06T21:21:00.001-04:00

Two days in a row...that definitely has to be a record for me. My track record hasn't been all that good lately. Today was so much better than the other days of the week. The sun actually came out to play for a bit....but tonight the rain started in again and it came a downpour.

I had a little bit of free time so decided to change my background to something a bit more cheery. What ya think? Well this week is zipping right along, and before we know it, it will be the weekend. Our dear friends ( the ones we go out with all the time) he is turning the big 50 on Friday. So hoping that sometime we will be able to get with them to celebrate. I know they have lots of plans with family this weekend and with it being Mothers Day they have to incorporate those activities as well. So not sure if we can get together Friday or if we will have to wait until next week.

This week at work I have been working on some computer training and it has actually been fun for me. It's been awhile since I have been given the opportunity to do anything like that at work, so I have been plowing through them. Today I started working with Photoshop CS. It looks like it will be a good class. Although I have worked with web pages for years, I haven't actually done much in the graphic arena, and I have been itching to work with some of the software.

Well, guess I should wrap this up, i haven't eaten tonight and it's already after 9. So need to grab a snack and hit the hay. But before I go, i want to leave you with something to make you laugh.

Saying hi

2009-05-05T20:10:00.001-04:00

Just stopping in to say a quick hello and hope you all are doing well. Sorry I have been gone for so long, but so much is going on with me these last several months that I can't seem to stay on top of things. And my blog has kinda gone to the way side. I hope soon that I will be able to visit with some of you again. I do keep up through my RSS feeds though.

Working on ALL the additional renovations is taking all our free time, so bare with me. Miss you all!

Working round the clock!

2009-04-07T16:04:00.000-04:00

So you wonder what I have been up too, huh? Bunches of stuff going on with me and my family. At the moment, just trying to keep our heads above water. We are busy,busy in the middle of doing some renovations in our house, and seems like every spare moment is taken up with that. Some of the things we are doing is we have ripped up the old carpet in the living room so wonderful hubby can install wood flooring. He installed all wood flooring on the main level of the house 18 months or so ago and we left the LR until later, it is now later.

We ripped off old wallpaper in the dining room (which I liked but hubby didn't,

but we were ready for a crisp new look) and repainted the room (country white) as well as the LR (butter cookie). In order to do all this, we have had to rent a storage unit and move furniture into it so that we could move around. My LR and DR has a open concept so we had to remove almost everything for all the supplies and tools. So we truck back and forth to the unit to get what we need until it is complete. Hubby is also framing in my LR windows to give the room a more custom feel. Over the last several years we have redone almost all the house, and that is THE one thing we have done in every room. It is such a small and inexpensive thing but makes such a big difference. Once all rooms are completely finished we will be ripping out all the carpet on our second floor. Whoopee!!!! So I am in the mist of looking at carpet samples. It's gotta be something that doesn't show dirt, and can handle high traffic. Especially the steps. Thinking maybe a berber. Any tips?

On top of all this, my sons have been looking for jobs. One down and one to go....my daughter took ill and was out of commission for over a week, running extremely high fevers. Three night in a row at the ER. Doctors thought she had mono but all the test came back negative, but she was exposed to it and it was kicking her little butt. I am so glad she is feeling much better and is back in school. My aunt passed away unexpectedly and it was a total shock...so I had to make a quick trip to Kentucky for her burial. Needless to say, there have been many days that I felt like I was on "auto pilot". Doing all this on top of trying to work full time, the only time I missed work was for my aunt funeral. Whew!

My step son is getting married this weekend, so have had to shop for "something to wear". I picked out a little sleeveless navy with small white polka dots (so Julie Roberts) and the cutest shoes. Still haven't packed, but looking forward to the trip.It will be nice to visit with hubby's siblings and his kids. It also happens to be my first anniversary so hubby and I are going to take a few days afterwards and get some R&R. Believe me we both could use it. It has been a highly stressful time for us. with everything that has been going on.

We will be in the Gatlinburg this weekend, and I can't imagine a more perfect place than the mountains to celebrate Easter and our anniversary. Once we get back, we will have to gear up for my daughters graduation and a party for her. It is hard to believe that my baby is graduating from high school in just a few short weeks. Where does the time go?

Ok...I wasn't going to write a book...just a update. Hope all is well with you and your families and your enjoying this Easter season.
Hugs

Where has the time gone (NO pictures this time)

2009-03-09T18:37:00.001-04:00

Seems like I was just here, and it has been weeks since I posted anything. Yiiikkkkkeeesss! We'll I will try to make a quick update. How's that? Life is life and I am living it day to day, and trying to just do what is humanly possible. How's that? No, really, everyday for the last several months has brought on many new struggles and changes for me and I am just trying to adapt to everything. In the last several months, as most of you know, my kids lost jobs and we have been praying. God answered our prayers this morning with a job for my #2 son (only in birth order, :) ) he will be starting a job in a couple of weeks and my #1 son (birth order, remember?) has a interview tomorrow and a possible lead for another job. So we are praising God today.

Michael and I had a nice day out on Saturday, we drove up to Washington Pa to visit with his sister and had a nice lunch out with her and her hubby and scooted into a antique shop. It was just a beautiful day to be out. The weather was so nice and such a change from the cold temperatures we have been having. Yesterday was spent with the boys at the house, helping Michael with some projects. Oh joy! We asked them to come over and help out and we would pay them. They have been doing some odd jobs here and their for family members to pick up some spending cash until the unemployment kicks in. It was nice to spend some time with them. My daughter darted in for a few minutes and then she was gone again, but I always enjoying seeing her if only for a few minutes.

Today the weather has been great. A perfect spring day. As much as I dislike the time change, I do like the longer daylight hours. So thankful for that. I am really ready for the weather to get warmer and stay that way, although the forecast calls for cold temps again later this week. UGH!

Michael's son is getting married in a couple of weeks in Knoxville so I am hoping when we go down for the wedding it will be nice. Looking forward to that little time away. That also happens to be "our" first anniversary. Woo Hoo!

Well, I just wanted to say hi. Hope you all have a blessed week.

Hugs,!

It's been almost a month

2009-02-22T17:36:00.001-05:00

since I have written on here, but my life has been so busy and I just really needed the time away. Scheduling conflicts and real life family issues have taken the most of my time. During the week I don't have any computer time on Monday and Tuesdays evenings anymore. Except on rare occasion. So unless I were to post early in the AM (5:00) or so I can't post. Maybe if I wrote post on Sunday and scheduled them...but I like being able to spend my Sunday's doing family/couple things. (Although I think I might figure something out for those days). I truly do hate being away so long, I would love to devote more time to sharing more, but I feel overwhelmed so much of time because I don't have it in me to share at the end of the day. Is this making sense? Can anyone out there relate? Also, it seems like the longer your away the harder it is to get back in the grove.

I don't want to go into the family issues here, but let me please say thanks to you all who have prayed for me and my family. It means so much to know that we are being lifted up in prayer. Continued prayers are needed.

Now on to other things that is going on in my life. Work is crazy, alot of changes going on there, seems like it NEVER ends. From my job demands too where I sit on a day to day basis. My hours changed back in October instead of going in at 4:30 AM and getting off at 2:30, I work 9-5 but with a 1.5 hour drive (one way) and at that time of the morning longer, it makes for a long day. But overall I have finally adjusted to that schedule. I am so thankful that it gets dark later. Now I am not driving both ways in the dark. :)

I have been alone this weekend, Michael went to Texas to pick up his new truck. So I have had a chance to work on some much needed things in my house. I decided to spend some time rearranging my furniture and "knick knacks" on Saturday. Oh I like it so much better. It felt good to expend some of that bottled up creativity that was inside me. I hadn't done that in a LOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGGG time. On a regular bases I use to move and change things around but not so much over the past several years. It felt wonderful and made me feel more like my old self. I had several other things that I wanted to do, but didn't get to them all. So they will go on my "to-do" list.

I have also spent time doing some reading. I am reading another Beverly Lewis book. The "SummerHill Series 2". I actually bought 1 and 2 a while back and read 1 right away. When I was ready to read 2, it was gone. I think it got threw out with the bags or something, because I never did find it. So last week while out doing some shopping I picked up another copy.

Ok, I just felt the need to explain myself a little and let you know that as things are getting some better around here, I might be around a little more. For the nights when I don't have time for a post, you can still catch me on Facebook. Is that addicting or what? It has actually been very good for me, I have had the opportunity to connect with friends that I haven't seen in 20+ years. From the early years of the Navy days - until now.

Hope you have had a wonderful blessed Sunday!

Hugs!

Cindy

I'm still around

2009-01-29T14:57:00.004-05:00

Can't believe it's been so long since my last post, but life goes on doesn't it?

Not sure what is going on with me....but lately I don't feel like I have a whole lot or anything of any merit to write about. I seem to have a blogging block and I just need to take a bit of break I guess. In case, I am not around for a bit you will know what is going on. My hope is that this is short lived. I am on Facebook so feel free to look me up there. Sometimes it is easier for me to write a sentence than a post. Would love to add you to my friends list. When doing your search to add me as your friend, use the email addy cindybazzy@gmail.com

I am dealing with some personal family issues, so if you think of it when your praying....please pray for me and my family.

Hugs!
Cindy

So glad that I have

2009-01-19T07:45:00.001-05:00

another day at home. I really enjoy three day weekends. Just wish that it happened every week. I took the time on Saturday to just lounge around most of the day. Doing little things here and there, but nothing major. Actually I got out for a bit in the freezing frigid temperatures to go watch the cheer competition. I would love to tell you that they placed, but they didn't but they did awesome. Actually I felt they should have won, but apparently the last stunt they performed was illegal (it disqualified them). After that little adventure we headed off to the mall to check on my boys and see what was up with them. I mean, I was going through withdrawals, hadn't seen them all week. Plus I wanted to give Wes his birthday present since I didn't get to do it on Friday. That was the first time I hadn't seen him on his day. :( While I was still at the mall I hit one of my favorite stores to see what was on sale. Found myself 2 sweaters on sale and got to use my gift card. Thinking that I would have to put some money with it, I was surprised when she returned my card with approximately 15.00 still on it. Woo Hoo!

Yesterday, we finally got things back in order in the house since the holidays. You know, moving things back to their assigned spots (if there is such a thing). Basically I had to make about four furniture moves to get my computer back down to it original spot. So with all that movin and shakin going on, I was pretty tired last night. Calgon, take me away. We took the time to vacuum and dust things real good while we were in the process, and my body just isn't equipped like it was when I was younger. Can you say aches and pains. Well anyway, I had them last night. But I am NOT complaining because I am glad it is done.

Since I have today off I have several errands that I need to do. My car is having a few problems, so I am going to take it into the shop and pick up a rental for this week. I also plan to meet my friend and have "our Christmas". With our schedule we didn't get a chance to do it yet. I'm also thinking about hitting the antique shop and getting my hair cut. I need a new look. So that is a few things I want to do today. That is if I can stand the cold weather long enough.

Once I get back home I want to do some reading, I have to get caught up on a bible study as well as some reading for my own pleasure. I am so glad that we cooked a big pot of chili yesterday, because we will having leftovers tonight.

This week my goal is to find my Valentine goodies and start decorating the house a wee bit. Now where are those boxes? Do you have any decorating ideas for the holiday? Got any plans with the hubby?

As you can see I have lots going on today. How bout you?

Hugs,

Feature Friday

2009-01-16T08:09:00.000-05:00

I decided that I would like to do a "Feature Friday", which basically means on Friday's I will post a great site with lots of KEWL information for you. It can be anything from a decorating, recipe, organization,site to just one that I get the "warm fuzzies" from.

Since the start of a new year, I think most of us are in the mood for some rearranging and organization...which leads me to my first Featured site of 2009. It is TIPNUT. If you have scoured its pages, you are missing a boatload of great tips. Check them out, they have a new fresh look.

I feel like decorating

2009-01-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

that is what happens to me at this time of the year. Once all the Christmas is put away and things are sparse, I like to rearrange and move things around. Sometimes I do, and other times I just pick up my magazines and cuddle up under a blanket with something to drink and let my mind daydream. And when I daydream, it always cost MONEY. Recently while I was daydreaming I was online and I found all sorts of kitchens that inspire me. (I think Michael would love anything that I could get to inspire me to cook...because lately that isn't something I have done alot of. Oh I digress.)Anyhow, I wanted to show you these rooms and if I could steal little things from each of them, I would be working on MY perfect kitchen. Get your walking shoes on....here we go....

I love the colors of this kitchen, the white cabinets with a mixture of soft brown wood tones. Plus I think the antique pulls add a great finishing touch to these cabinets.

In this kitchen I love the rock oven/stove area as well as the soft wood tones. I love that table/bar. Aren't the windows great too? Can't you imagine looking out of them onto a wooded lot full of nature. A small piece of heaven.

I really like the cabinetry in these, the cabinets are made to look like furniture and the open cabinets for showing off all my bowl collections, and pottery. Plus I ~~like~~ LOVE the wood ceiling beams. Such character they add.

What about this island? Too die for.

I like all the cubbies in this island. It would put things right at your fingertips. Love those wide drawers for pots and pan and lids! That plate rack is a dream too.

I just love all the clean sleek storage in this picture. Maybe shelving like this in a walkin pantry. *eyes twinkling

Ok...another white with wood. Something about this combination gets to me.

So what did you think about my little kitchen tour. Did you have a favorite, which one and why?

Hope your enjoyed yourself. Have a Wonderful Wednesday

Is your refrigerator cleaned and organized?

2009-01-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

Howdy girls, seems lately all I do is race around from one thing to the next and don't get much accomplished in the process. Well that isn't entirely true. This weekend, I did work on my house namely my kitchen, boy did it need a good overhaul after the holidays.

http://creativeorganizing.typepad.com/creative_organizing/2006/04/so_i_tried_to_i.htmlNot sure about you but when my kitchen is clean and organized it feels like my whole house is. And then I really ~~enjoy~~ love it. This weekend, I spent time cleaning out my refrigerator and organizing it. Yuppers, that's what I did. I just love opening my refrigerator door for a quick little thrill. Stop laughing, you all know that you do that too. I most likely will like it better when I go out and buy some groceries to put it in. But then again, that will most likely MESS it all up. (Now this fridge in the photo isn't my fridge, but you scoot over to Creative Organizing ) You can find some simple tips to help you clean out and organize your fridge and also some more space.

Seems I always resolve after the holidays to get better organized, and I am always looking for ways, so if you have any great ideas or links, tips, please feel free to let me know. You can find some wonderful organizing links in my sidebar. Last year, I started a Home Management Binder and my plan is to work some more on it in the near future.

At the moment, my house is in between decorations. I have taken down all the holiday decor and can't decide what I want to do with the bare space. I kinda like it, so will most likely leave it that way for a few more weeks. Plus it gives me time to get through all the nooks and crannies and DECLUTTER!

Creative Tip of the Day. Idea Roledex , now why couldn't you use this same concept and make it a organization Roledex. Sometimes I just need to see the visual and then I am off and going.

"This feature is from Carrie B of the Blah Blah Blog with her creation of the Idea Rolodex:

Where to you store your great ideas? Do you tear out magazine articles and store them in a big binder? Do you jot down book recommendations and restaurants to try on Post-Its? Or do you just keep in all on file in your head?
Last week, I was perusing a fun paper arts store and admired a sample altered Rolodex file. I decided that I must make one of my own."

I think that is enough fun for today. Let 's see what I can get into the rest of the week.
Hugs and Blessings,
Cindy

My weekend has come and gone.

2009-01-11T21:20:00.001-05:00

The weekend is almost over, and I can't believe it. I sure would love to have a three day weekend this weekend. I had a wonderful list of things that I should and wanted to do this weekend, some I finished and others will have to wait until next weekend.

I have been doing laundry and waiting on it to finish so that it could go into the dryer. A girl has to have her jeans for work, right? Anyway,while I was waiting on that, decided I would tell you what I have been doing this weekend. I guess by now, you noticed that I have a new header for my blog. What ya' think? I am not sure if I will keep it, or if I will work on creating something else, but I wanted to take the Christmas header down.

I have worked this weekend, on updating and changing some of my content on my blogs,adding some new backgrounds. I also updated by Facebook (added some wedding pictures and honeymoon pictures,with alot more to do) and Plurk accounts. I decided at the first of the year I wanted to get myself organized online and put a system in place (posting system)but still haven't come up with anything definite yet. Those are a few things that I have done on the web.

I also have spent time cleaning my kitchen. It needed it from top to bottom. I even organized my fridge. Don't laugh! It actually looks good but you know it will not last very long.

I spent time today reading and study my devotionals, which is what I want to spend my Sunday's for. I really do want to reserve Sunday's for quiet time and family time. No more working on the Sabbath. Just as it was intended.

Well guess I will close, Tomorrow is Simple Woman's Daybook, so check back with me to see what's up.

Hey are you ready?

Hugs!

It's a New Year!

2009-01-07T15:00:00.002-05:00

This is what I woke up to this morning. I'd say Winter has arrived!

That is how I feel. I don't really know where to start. Here we are in a new year 2009, and I can't seem to get my thoughts down. I have been taking things a bit slower and also starting a new system. I guess you can say that is one of my new goals for this year. There are many things that I want to achieve and work on this year that will benefit me and my family. Most of which are simply personal. Here is a small portion of some of the things that are rolling around in my head.

One, being a better blogger buddy. I haven't been doing all that great. Life seems to have a mind all it's own.
More quiet time with God.
Spend time with God daily in prayer.
Digging deeper in my study of the Word/bible study.
Reading more spiritual books for guidance/resources purposes that allow me to dig deeper
Focus on the simple things in my life and be grateful.
Spend more quality time with my family and friends.

This year I started reading "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren, I am enjoying it greatly. I am on Day 7 and I am working through th Purpose Driven Journal too. It is a great accompaniment to the book. I have had this book for several years but just couldn't find the time to read it....so decided there was time like the present. A great way to start off the new year.
As you can see most of my goals are of spiritual nature but I feel a strong push toward this this year. Last year my goals were oriented around organizing and even though I didn't master that, I still plan to work on it. Believe me, there is ALWAYS something to organize at my house. I also wanted to start journaling my simple pleasures so I joined Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook. You can check out my new blog for my Journal. I think it makes it easier to just recognize the simple things that we are grateful for. This is a just a fun way to remember.

I am running a bit short on time at the moment, but wanted to let you know that I hope to get my blogging pattern down soon. Since the holidays and getting the Christmas Decorations down, I have kinda like that "sparse" feeling....so I have carried that over to my computer time as well. I am decluttering my blogs, making some changes, and cleaning and better organizing my computer files. My inboxes look better than they ever have, and I set myself up a system on responding to emails that I need too, so that things don't get lost. One of my other helpers, and it is a big one for me is my day planner, I couldn't do anything without it. Everything goes in there, from appts, what's going on with Tori and with whom, dinner ideas, shopping ideas, even blog ideas, I use it for everything. I also use one on the computer so if I need to, I can print it out and go.

Possibly soon, I will blog about some of the resources I like to use to keep me on task...but until then, I should go. I didn't mean to write a book, but it has been awhile since I have posted. I will try to get around to visit with you all soon.

Hugs!
Cindy
BTW, I still haven't gotten Christmas pictures off my camera, but once I do...I will post them. Most likely I will post them to my Christmas Blog and then direct you there to see them if you want.

Happy New Years

2009-01-01T21:11:00.001-05:00

Just One Request

Dear Master for this coming year
Just one request I bring:
I do not pray for happiness,
Or any earthly thing—
I do not ask to understand
The way Thou leadest me,
But this I ask: Teach me to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee.
I want to know Thy guiding voice,
To walk with Thee each day.
Dear Master make me swift to hear
And ready to obey.
And thus the year I now begin
A happy year will be—
If I am seeking just to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee.

--Unknown Author

Another holiday week and back to work

2008-12-29T13:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday everybody. Hope everyone had a wonderful blessed Christmas. I know that I did, and believe me I got way more than I deserved. (Thank you honey!)
I didn't intend on taking time off from blogging but I guess I did. :) I have been so busy enjoying my time off and being with family that I haven't had much computer time. I hope to get back into the swing of things soon. I am in the middle of making my list and goals for the new year. Do you make new years resolutions? I sometimes do. Last year I made one that I really wanted to do and I stuck to it. I wanted to read my bible in a year and so I went to a online source www.bibleinayear.org and signed up. It made it easy to stick to it, and it was motivating. As of now I have today's reading and tomorrow's and I will have completed my last years resolution. Not sure what I want to do this year. But thinking it should most likely include fitness and getting healthy. There is also some new things I want to learn to do, I also want to update my web page and try to figure out what direction that should go in.

I am back at work this week, having the last five days off was nice, but I have Wednesday and Thursday off this week, and then the weekend will be coming shortly right after so I feel like it should be a good,short week. I am going to concentrate on putting away my Christmas decorations this week too. Most likely any spare minute will be putting it all away. Although I know it is going to take me a while to do it. Do you still have your decorations up? If you have taken them down, when do you take them down. Do you have to do it alone? or do you have help? I seem to have to take most of mine down alone, although hubby is great about helping me get the boxes together and put back in place in the garage. :) But over the course of the next few days, I will start gathering my decorations around the house and make piles and then it is easier for me to pack back up. Plus it doesn't seem to take as long that way. Not sure why, but it doesn't. Guess when you break that big job up into little jobs it goes faster.

Over the next several days I am going to get back to my list making and try to get my mind organized and cleared out for the new year. Is this a "me" thing or do you all do this too?

Plan to get around for visits soon, but please let me say thanks for hanging in there with me over the last several months as I know my post have been sporadic. One thing I plan to do in the new year is be a better blogger buddy.

Gonna scoot, because as you can tell, my mind is jumbled and I feel as though I am just rambling. Have a great afternoon!

Hugs!

A little more Christmas around the house.

2008-12-23T18:24:00.001-05:00

Just thought I would take a few minutes to share with you some of the other pictures around the house. I wish I had felt up to doing the village and going all out this year, but with work and life in general there just wasn't as much time as I would have liked between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. I hope to get some pictures of our table laden with goodies, as well as the our tree with the packages. Hopefully I will remember to get pictures of that before we tear into everything. But until then, here are a few more shots of my home for the holidays.

Sorry this picture is so light. But this is the quilt rack in my family room this year. Simple!

A few trees in crocks in my dining rooms.

A simple little tree on the kitchen counter. I love the little framed stitchery on the wall.

My little tree in the guest bathroom. I was all about simplicity this year, but it puts off the softest glow.

Here is my poinsettia in my dining room. It looks kinda droopy here, but it is very full and pretty. Guess it needed water when this shot was taken, huh?

I just really like how this candle is displayed. The small greenery surrounding the candle is so real like. Again, simple but pretty.

Here we are in the kitchen again. Don't you just love the little tree in the coffee tin. This is one of my favorites. So country.

This is the wreath that is hanging on my front door this year. Snowmen! Gotta love'm!

Well there you have it, a few more snippets of my holiday decor. I know this week will be busy with family and such, but I hope I can add a few more shots, I haven't made any of my front porch, but will try to get to that.

Hope everyone is having a good week so far.

Hugs!

The Christmas Dining Room

2008-12-21T11:27:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite rooms to decorate is my Dining Room. This is where I use my love for snow and snowmen. Let me know what you think? Got any new ideas for me. Please share.

My little tree is crooked. Oops. Guess I need to fix that!

This is my snowman collection.

Just a simple tablescape, but I love the simplicity of it.

Those are just a few shots of my dining room. Now for some pictures of my kitchen table and kitchen. Sorry they are blurry. I need to take some different ones.

I think I will post more later.

The house tours continues

2008-12-20T06:42:00.001-05:00

I hope you all enjoyed having a glimpse of our family room, now I want to show you my Living Room and our tree. In my family room, as you could see, I have a primitive country tree that has ornies, and homemade ornaments, I love the simplicity of that tree. Meanwhile, in my Living Room, I have my traditional tree. This is the tree that I have all my children's ornaments on, things they have given/made for me and ornaments from vacations, places we have lived. My sentimental ornaments are on this tree. I also always use multi colored lights on it, because that is what my kids prefer on this tree. As I have mentioned before, I didn't do as much decorating, and you will notice that my kids kinda skimped on the ornaments. Believe me when I say, I have at least triple the amount of ornaments that you see on here. But that is okay.

Can you see me little sled, I picked this us this summer at a auction for pennies, and knew that I would use it to put under my Christmas tree with my Victorian Boyd's Bear. Love it.

Here is the table that sits at the entrance of the foyer, looking into the living room.

Some of my bear collection in the little cradle.

A little close up of the sleigh. I will have to get a better one before we have Christmas.

Stop by tomorrow for the Dining Room. K?

Hugs!

Luke 1:68-70“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),”

Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.

House Tour Continues

2008-12-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

Here is the table that sits at the entrance of the foyer, looking into the living room.

Some of my bear collection in the little cradle.

A little close up of the sleigh. I will have to get a better one before we have Christmas.

Stop by tomorrow for the Dining Room. K?

Hugs!

Luke 1:68-70“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),”

What a week

2008-12-18T19:41:00.001-05:00

This has been one busy week, and I am sorry that I have been such a bad blogger friend. I just can't seem to stay caught up no matter how hard I try. Two nights this week I have been out of the house. Tuesday night I was at the church and last night I got a call that my daughter had been in a automobile accident and I was at the ER. Fortunately she is okay and is at home taking some pain meds, but overall she is fine and I feel so blessed.

However I wanted to stay true to my word and at least post some of the decorating that I did. I didn't do nearly as much this year as I would have liked too, but I just ran out of time and I know I will not have the time to take it down and put it away the way I would like, so suffice it to say, it is what it is.

So sit back and enjoying visiting my home.

This is the mantle in my family room, with some of my Santa Collection.

Sorry this picture is so light, it takes away from the charm of this little display.

Some of the little goodies under my prim tree. Next to the fireplace you can see some of my favorite little stools. Aren't they adorable. I have a thing for them.

Here is my dough bowl filled with jumbo balls and pine sprigs. I wish I had a better shot of this.

Again, my prim tree, and then tomorrow I will show you my Living room tree.

I hope you can stop by for the rest of the tour.

Hugs to all.

Cindy

Another weekend has come and gone

2008-12-14T21:17:00.001-05:00

And I was sick the whole weekend and I still am. About the only thing I did this weekend but lay in bed and take hot baths and watch TV, between blowing my nose and drinking thera flu. Sounds like alot of fun huh? My poor nose is raw, and I have been using tissue with lotion and Vicks. Good stuff, but it still hurts to blow my nose. But couldn't imagine how my poor nose would feel if I hadn't of used it. I also went and picked me up some Vicks to rub on the tip of my nose so that I could breath. Have you ever done that. I used to do that with my kids when they were small because I don't particularly like using inhalants. I have been a lovely looking lady this weekend. Good thing Michael loves me, cause I haven't looked to lovable. Michael has been taking good care of me, feeding me lots of chicken soup and liquids. He says I look and sound pitiful. I know I feel it, hoping this is about over. Not sure how I will make it through work this week if this keeps up. Please remember me in prayer if you think about it. I would really appreciate it.

One thing I did do this weekend, although it took me a while and I was exhausted afterwards, is I wrapped ALL my Christmas presents. They were building up and I knew I would have a marathon of wrapping to do if I didn't start. So everything that I have purchased is wrapped. Now I will only a few other things to wrap. I did finish up my shopping online tonight, so hopefully everything will get here in time. I think the only thing that is left is my goodies for the kids stockings. Which I will work on my list during the week for that.

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say hi. And I didn't forget about you all. I just have been really under the weather. I hope you all are doing wonderful and will have a blessed week. Will have to get around to visit with you all soon. Plus I have more of my Christmas decorating pictures to post. Will try to get them up for you this week.

Hugs,

Cindy

Luke 1:26-28“[The Birth of Jesus Foretold] In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: sick,christmas,shopping

My Prim Tree

2008-12-07T20:33:00.001-05:00

Wanted to take a few minutes before I call it a night/weekend. I promised some pictures of my house, but will tell you that I am not happy with the way that they turned out. Kinda blurry. But it gives you some idea. This year, I didn't decorate the way I usually do, I didn't put nearly the amount of things out this year as years in the past. But since time is of a essence, I just did a little bit. First I think I will start in my family room.

Of course, the tree is the focal point of this room, and I couldn't be more happy with how it turned out. I love this tree. The soft glow of the gold lights on it makes all the difference. Years before I have had multi colored and all white, but the gold/amber lights, give it the old 'flame' look of candles. This tree houses all my handmade type ornaments. Underneath the tree, I use a old quilt as my tree skirt and this year I filled it with some old toys and bears. I really wish there was more room, because I have a sled that I like to display under this tree, but this year, I didn't think it would work. After this picture was made I added a old rusty tin star to the top.

I hope you enjoyed a sneak peek at my prim tree.

Hugs!

John 11:25“Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;”

Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.

December 2

2008-12-02T14:19:00.000-05:00

Happy December! I can't believe it is only 23 days until Christmas! Wow where is the time going? I have so much that I want and need to do but not sure I can find the time to do it all.

Being away last week really put me behind on my shopping. I hope to rememdy that this weekend. I have started my handy little list for gifts still needed to be purchased. So come Saturday, I plan to hit the stores and finish up my shopping. Fortunately while I was in Ky, mom sent me home with all our presents(from her and dad)so I do have a few goodies under the tree.

Most likely it will be a quite Christmas at our house. No traveling, and I am actually looking forward to it. I just really want to spend this season with my kids and Michael. We have had so much going on this year and especially recently with the death of his mom, that staying home and enjoying our family and each other is my top Christmas wish. However Michael will not get to see his kids and I hate that for him. I wish they could come to our house for a visit during the holidays, but they each have other plans.

I also hope to post some pictures of my Christmas decorating. Girls, don't give up on my yet. I'm trying! But with my silly schedule and time at home for the computer, it doesn't always work out. I can't wait to share with you my "primitive tree". I simply love sitting and gazing at it at night.

Gonna scoot for now, hope you all are having a great and blessed day!

Hugs,
Cindy

Black Friday

2008-11-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

Are you out today in this? Stores opening at o dark-thirty, racing and pushing and shoving....

While everyone is out racing around doing this today, I am at home doing this....Having my meal with my family.

Did everyone have a great Thanksgiving day?

Most likely Michael and I will leave mom's some time tomorrow, so I might not get back to the computer until I get back home. For those of you that are traveling have a safe trip home.

Blessings to all,

Cindy

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T00:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

I Thank Thee

O Thou whose bounty fills my cup,
With every blessing meet!
I give Thee thanks for every drop—
The bitter and the sweet.

I praise Thee for the desert road,
And for the riverside;
For all Thy goodness hath bestowed,
And all Thy grace denied.

I thank Thee for both smile and frown,
And for the gain and loss;
I praise Thee for the future crown
And for the present cross.

I thank Thee for both wings of love
Which stirred my worldly nest;
And for the stormy clouds which drove
Me, trembling, to Thy breast.

I bless Thee for the glad increase,
And for the waning joy;
And for this strange, this settled peace
Which nothing can destroy.

--Jane Crewdson (1860)

Heading Home

2008-11-26T00:01:00.001-05:00

Traveling to Kentucky for Thanksgiving.
Just a few prayers/verses to ponder on and give thanks!

Psalm 31:19

(NIV)

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Psalm 95:1-6

(KJV)

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."

Psalm 100

(KJV)

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Psalm 107:1

(NIV)

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 145:7

(NIV)

They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13(KJV)

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name."

It's done!

2008-11-24T12:48:00.000-05:00

Hi ya'll! So glad you got a chance to swing by and visit with me for a few minutes this morning. I can't believe another weekend has come and gone and we are into a new week. I had a very productive weekend though, and for that I feel such a sense of relief. I actually had some time to spend in my bible study and bible reading. What a treat.

Anyhow, I got my house decorated for Christmas and I am so happy. I normally don't decorate until the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but since we are going to be in Kentucky for the Thanksgiving holiday, and will not have alot of time when I get home I thought it best to go ahead and put it up. Whew it was a two day job, and believe me when I say every muscle in my body aches. Up and down steps, squatings, lifting, etc. about did this old body in. So now my focus will be on buying and wrapping presents when I get back. I have only bought a few little gifts. But I do have my list made of ideas. That will be a big help for me.

I am going to try to take some pictures of the house, but not sure if I will get it done before I leave for Kentucky. If I don't then will try to get some up for you to see when I get back home.

K...just wanted to give you a update as to what I am up too. I hope you all are having a great week. What kind of Thanksgiving plans do you have.

Blessings,
Cindy

A fun weekend!

2008-11-21T12:11:00.001-05:00

Can you believe this week is gone too? I can't believe that it is Friday already, but I am so happy. I am looking forward to this weekend. It is going to be a cold, dreary weekend from the reports that I have heard, but that is okay. I plan to put on Christmas movies, and Christmas music and decorate my house. Looking forward to putting our first Christmas together. Just me and the hubby will be working on it tomorrow, but my goal is to get everything done except for the ornaments on the trees, and when the kids come over on Sunday they can do that? I will take some pictures when it is all done and show you.

Not alot going on here so will keep this short. Thought I would share this little game I got in a email.

1.) Wrapping paper or gift bag? Both, I love to wrap presents with pretty big bows, but use bags too.

2.) Real tree or artificial? Artificial

3.) When do you put up the tree?   Day after Thanksgiving usually. This year,this weekend

4.) When do you take the tree down?   January 1, usually

5.) Do you like eggnog? No

6.) Favorite gift received as a child? really not sure I liked all my presents! :)

7.) Hardest person to buy for? My dad!

8.) Easiest person to buy for? My mom

9.) Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes

10.) Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? both

11.) Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't seem to remember one

12.) Favorite Christmas movie. Holiday Inn, Christmas in Connecticut, White Christmas, oh, was I only suppose to pick one. hehe

13.) When do you start shopping for Christmas? Oct.

14.) Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Yes

15.) Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My moms Christmas dinner

16.) Lights on the tree? Yes, as many as I can get on there.

17.) Favorite Christmas song? Happy Birthday Mary

18.) Travel at Christmas or stay home? both, some years we travel, others we stay home

19.) Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes

20.) Angel on the tree top or a star?   Star

21.) Open presents Christmas morning? most of the time, now it revolves more around my kids schedule

22.) Most annoying thing about this time of the year? not enough time

23.) Favorite ornament, theme or color? I love my primitive Christmas tree, just the simplicity of it.

24.) Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham

25.) What do you want for this Christmas? Time with my family

Have a great weekend.
Hugs!

Many thanks!

2008-11-18T15:36:00.000-05:00

Let me start this by saying thank you for the nice comments, emails, that I received from this post. Believe me when I say that your thoughts and prayers were felt by not only me, but the whole family. The memorial service was simple beautiful. We have been back home for a week and trying to settle back into our routines. It is taking time but we are getting there. We were blessed with great weather while we were in Texas for the funeral. On the morning that we Betty was buried the weather was 80 degrees and it was sunny. A perfect day. It's still hard for me to believe that it's over. Finally all her suffering is in the past. I can't tell you how much that comforts us knowing she isn't in any more pain. So again, thank you!

We got our first snow here last night. It didn't stick but while I was driving home from work it was snowing like crazy. As I was driving in it, it was coming right at me. I hate that. Granted I don't like to drive in many weather conditions except sunshine, and don't like it if it blinds me. :) Our temps for the next 10 days is only suppose to get around the mid 30's. Thinking it is time to throw another blanket on the bed, or cuddle up next to a fire.

I am trying to get myself psyched up for Christmas. Not so much the holiday as I am all the work involved in decorating. I am so behind this year. I haven't really done any shopping or baking, nothing! I have a partial shopping list made out but not sure when I am going to find the time to get it all done. We are planning on putting our trees up this weekend. Our plans are to head to Kentucky either Tuesday night or Wednesday for Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to being at my mommas. Not to mention I will finally get to meet my little nephew Caleb. We actually will not be celebrating with our big meal until Friday, so no black Friday sales for me. But if you want to check out some, the ads are already out there. Mom and I usually do some shopping that day but not this year.

I guess I should scoot for now, I will try to get back soon. I hope you are all have a wonderfully blessed week so far.

Hugs!

Heaven Bound

2008-11-06T05:46:00.001-05:00

Update: This post was written yesterday but couldn't get it posted until now. 11-6-08

What do I say? I am drained. What a busy several weeks we have had and as I write this, I am on a airplane heading for Houston. For those that know over the last several months I have asked for prayer for Michael's mom Betty. Yesterday, she went home to be with our Lord. We have been blessed to have her as long as we did considering the diagnosis she was given in January. She was in much pain toward the end and I am so glad that she isn't in pain any more. Over the next several days, I know it will be a flurry of activity and not sure when I will get back to post. I know we are due back home on Tuesday afternoon/early evening. I hope you will remember us and Michael's family in your prayers as we go through this. At the same time, I got a phone call last night telling me my aunt also passed away. This is my dad's oldest sister, so please remember him and my family, cousins in the passing of their mother. I know as hard as it is to say goodbye to our loved ones, I know they are in a much better place.

Over the last several weeks I have had a time getting here to post. Seems like my life just keeps getting busier and busier with work and Tori's sports and personal issues with her. My work schedule has changed and it has drastically had a effect on my life. There just isn't enough time in the day for me to get everything done and my computer time is really lacking. My hope is soon things will get back to normal, but with the holidays fast approaching and shopping to be done.

We had a nice visit with my folks when they were here this past weekend. We had a chance to get to Lancaster Pa. It was simply a perfect day for shopping and wondering shops. The whole time we were there my mom wante4d to me to pick out something for my upcoming birthday and I couldn't decided. Needless to say I came home without anything. She wasn't real happy with me .

Need to scoot for now as my power is getting low and don't want to lose this. Be back as soon as I can.

Hugs to all,

Time is running out!

2008-10-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

Oh my, time is really getting away from me. Sorry it has been a bit since my last post, but seems like when I have time to post, I don't really have anything to share. This past weekend, should have been a busy weekend for me, but I wasn't feeling all that well. So I let some things slide. Which isn't a good thing since my parents will be coming in from Kentucky tomorrow.

On Saturday, the weather was gloomy and rainy and so I stayed in my jammies most of the day. For some odd reason my whole body ached, and I had chills and then I would get hot. Go figure! Anyway, I just kinda was lazy that day. But I knew I had tons I needed to do on Sunday so I woke up rarin to go. My handy little list in hand and I was ready, until Michael mentioned going out for breakfast. I love eating breakfast out. So off we went. Seems afterwards I went downhill. I think it was the eggs at breakfast that made me sick. I spent the rest of the day sick to my stomach. (Recently I found out that I have a allergic reaction to eggs and therefore I order and eat Egg Beaters) However I am thinking my order got mixed up and I ended up eating eggs, but believe me I paid the price. Even though we still had to do errands we were quick about it so that I could get back home. The day turned out to be a perfect fall day and even though I didn't get alot done, Michael got the yard work done and trimmed all the bushes, and cut back flowers and got everything winterized. Thankful that is done.

Back to work I went yesterday and trying to get back into my routine. Although this is a short week for me. I plan to take Friday off so that I can spend it with my parents as well as go to Tori's football game. Friday night is senior night, and her school does a big thing for the seniors so that is one of the reasons for my parents visit. Unfortunately they have never gotten to see her cheer (live) in high school so this will be a first.

I think Saturday we are going to head to Amish country, Lancaster Pa.. My mother and I love it up there and it is great this time of year. I can't wait. It will be perfect if it isn't rainy. I can handle the cold, but not if it is wet on top of it. Karen at My Colonial Home did some great posts on Lancaster on her recent trip. Take a look at all her pictures and you'll have a idea of what we are in for. Not to mention, spend some time just looking around her lovely blog.

On Sunday since my boys will over visiting with my parents, I plan to make a nice dinner. This isn't the norm anymore now that the boys have grown up and aren't living at home. Boy do I miss that time of sitting down at the table all together as a family. So this will be a nice treat for me to savor. Granted, I know that football is going to be in on the day too.

On Monday I will be back at work and my parents will be on the way home again. So this is going to be a short trip for us all, but one that I look forward too. This is a brief summary of the days ahead, but I wanted you to know why I am not around. I will be back first part of next week if everything goes okay. (By that I mean, I haven't gone out of town) Every day Michael and I keep waiting on news of his mother. She is terminally ill and we know that we don't have much more time. At the moment, we have tickets to fly out to Texas in a couple of weeks to visit and help out the family. Just don't know if we will have to go before that. So basically letting you know that I will get back when I can.

Have a wonderful Halloween.

Smells at home

2008-10-25T07:53:00.001-04:00

Girlies, I just have to tell you that my house smells heavenly. This morning I am sitting here enjoying one of my treats from my giveaway win. It is a Creme Brulee candle by Paula Deen. I don't know if you have ever seen them or had one, but if you haven't it is a must. I absolutely love everything about it. And it is so pretty too. All country like with it's metal lid and little handle. Too cute. Oh well. I just had to share. Thinking this is a good idea for a Christmas gift. Thanks Judy for this simple pleasure this morning.

Off to get some work done. My folks are heading this way this week so a girl must get her house all spic and span.

Tootles for now,

Cindy

Ephesians 5:19-20“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.

I'm about done now....

2008-10-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

You're back....welcome....

Well today I am going to share some miscellanous shots that were made through out the downstairs.

I know you have seen my secretary before but here is how it looks now. I have been collecting some old vintage photos and I have them in a photo holder on the desk. The chair and the bear at the desk are from yard sales. Both were gotten for 1.00. Love the chair. I also picked up the basket that the arrangement is in at a yard sale, I got several and I place them on my front porch with my mums in them.

Ok...this is on my landing. I got the chair at a antique store for 10.00 and the crock and the stool were picked up at yard sales. Don't you just love my gourd? Last week Michael's had them on sale and so I got one, now I wish I had gotten a few more. Maybe I stop in there over the weekend and see if they have any left. Now, do you see my apple gourd? Several weekends ago, hubby and I along with some friends went to the National Apple Harvest Festival held in Pa. and they had these gourds. I had/have never seen them before. It looks like a perfect green apple. However it is a gourd. Can't wait to dry this one!

This is the view from my front door. If you look closely you will notice the little white pumpkins in my secretary. Also, on my dry sink in the dining room I have a small collection of pumpkins under glass. You can take a closer look below....

Well this isn't a much better shot...too much glare. Will have to try to get a better one.

This is a small little display I have on my front porch. I am still not finished with decorating outside. But I do like how this little simple crate and some bittersweet made this little area came to life.

I hope you all have enjoyed taking a look into my home this week. It was alot of fun. Maybe I will get upstairs and get some pictures. Hubby and I have been busy doing renovations in this house for the last several years and so it would be nice to show you some of the finished work. Along with some of the goodies we have collected.

Hope you all have a blessed weeekend.

Hugs!

Autumn in the Living Room

2008-10-23T00:01:00.001-04:00

Well today I think we are going to take a little stroll into my living room...so here goes....

This is my centerpiec on my living room table. It has changed a bit since this picture was taken...but the tray and the black candle stick I piced up at yard sales, and the floral arrangement I made several years ago. The candlestick when I got it was a green color that didn't really go with anything in my house. So I spray painted it black and love the outcome. I have a big orange bow on it now. It is so pretty.

Just about everything in this picture came from a yard sale, auction or antique store. The three stools that are in this picture came from auctions, and the antique doll cradle I picked up in a antique store for 15.00 and the little table and chairs that the bears are sitting at, I got at a yard sale for you guessed it...1.00. Don't think you can really tell,but my bears have on there halloween customes. This is just a fraction of my teddy bears. I love them, but I don't have them all out because I am busting at the seams in this house. The big table in front of the banister, was Michael's grandmothers, and I love it. It houses our wedding invition and some willow tree ornaments.

See my candy corn ornies? I think they are simply adorable.

Just a small glimpse of my basket of fall blooms. Looks like my scarecrow is turn around backwards. :) oops, guess I should fix that.

Wonder what we will show tomorrow.....be back to find out....

Hugs!

Another Giveaway!

2008-10-22T13:37:00.001-04:00

Hey girlies, two post from me in one day. What is going on? Actually I wanted to tell you about a giveaway that Lisa is hosting at "Cranberry Flats"

Take a look at the goodies
Only thought it was fitting to tell ya, but I know I am gonna win...shh! Don't tell anybody.

Have a blessed day all!

Walking through my kitchen

2008-10-22T00:01:00.001-04:00

Hi guys. So have you liked the little visuals of my home. I have a few more today. I think today I will share some of my kitchen. Although these pictures aren't the best, you get the idea.

My bread board is from you guessed it...a yard sale. I got it for 1.00 and the old stoneware bowl with the apples I got at a auction. Can't remember what I paid for it, but it wasn't much. My bread board changes daily it seems. I just haven't found the combination for it that I like yet? Any ideas?

This is the top of my refrigerator. I have a few more yard sale finds up here. The black cabinet I picked up while in Kentucky visiting my home last summer. It was a old white color, and I decided to paint it black. I only paid a couple of bucks for it. I like it much better now that it is black. Also, under the ivy plant ( I know Nester says it is a no-no) I have a little small stool (another one of my collections) that I picked up at a yard sale for a couple of bucks.

Well here is one of my favorite little corners of my kitchen. The black box was also picked up at a auction for next to nothing. It was a ugly muted turquoise green that I had to paint it. I also got the crock which is full of butter paddles and scoops that I have gotten at yard sales too. Also, the brown carrier was a old tool carrier that I picked up at antique store. I love it. It is full of old cutting boards and kitchen gadgets.

So as you can see I love old things, but the old things that I have, I use. One more for today....

And the last area I will share is my corner sink. I also collect jars and this is just a small portion of the ones that I have, and again, they have come from yard sales. I love finding a bargain. You can't really see the yellow ware pitcher behind the faucet, but that was picked up at yard sale too, for a buck.

Who says you have to spend alot of money to be surrounded by things you love? Not me!

Will float into the living room tomorrow. Hope to see you then!

Hugs!

Snippets of my home

2008-10-21T00:01:00.001-04:00

Happy Tuesday morning all. If you are like me I love to see what others are doing in there home to make it more festive and seasonal. So again today I am sharing a few more little snippets of things that I have done. This dough bowl sits in my family room on my coffee table. I really do love it. I found the little black crow at Michael's a few weeks back and got it for next to nothing. Not sure it is going to stay there..but will until I find another home for it. Got any ideas?

Here is a snippet of my hutch. As you can see I collect glassware. See my punchbowl. I picked this up at a auction for 5 dollars. Love it. I also have several cake stands. There is only a couple in the picture but I have about 6 total. I have also started a collection of white platters that someday I will hang in my dining room. This home doesn't have the wall space for them but hoping my next home will have. Anyway, here are a couple more I picked up last weekend at yardsales for 1.00 each.

Hope you enjoyed a little peek into my home. More tomorrow!

Hugs to you all.

Colorfest goodies

2008-10-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hi everybody. Wow what a weekend I have had. Friday night I went to Tori's ballgame to watch her cheer. It was a long day. I got up and went in to work to get home just in time for me and hubby to grab some dinner and then out the door we went. By the time we got home at 9 something I was ready to crash.....on Saturday we had a few errands we had to run and then we headed to Tori's cheer competition. It was alot of fun to watch the girls. Her squad placed 2nd which means they are going to regionals on the 6th of November. I hope they do well. Sunday was spent with the kids and playing catch up in the house. Hubby cooked a nice lunch and we ate together for the first time in a long time. I love having all the kids here at one time. It is such a rarity now that the boys aren't living at home.

I decided I would take some time this week to show you a few pictures I have made of some of my decorations in the house. I hope you enjoy them.
The picture below is a witch's hat that I picked up last weekend at Colorfest. I don't know how many people commented on it as I was walking around. This picture doesn't really do it justice. It is soooooo cute.

Another little goodie I picked up was this penny rug. I have been wanting one for a long time but hadn't found one that I could afford or liked. This one is so pretty. It is on my dining room table. Love it....

So what do you think? Think I did good?

BTW, If you are looking for some great halloween treats for your family for halloween then swing by my cooking site to grab some good food.

Check back tomorrow for more of my fall decorations.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hugs!

Why I was doing the snoopy dance?

2008-10-19T18:58:00.001-04:00

The wait is over ya'll. I received my box of goodies from Judy on Friday but I didn't get home until late and then I wasn't home on Saturday so I had to wait until this morning to open it. Now, please remember when you see these pictures, this is me with NO makeup and my hair thrown up on my head. But I wanted to have pictures to show Judy and ya'll.

Judy, thank you so much. I LOVED everything in the box. You are the sweetest. I still can't believe I won, but so glad I did.

On with the show.

Isn't all the goodies wonderful? It was just like Christmas. I couldn't stop smiling.

BTW folks if you are looking for some good fun recipes for Halloween I have posted lots of goodies on my recipe blog. Check it out here. Plus this week I plan to post some pictures of my home and decorations on my homemaking site. So try to keep up with me. :)

Hope you have a blessed night!

Technorati Tags: giveaways,homemaking,recipes

Doing the snoopy dance!

2008-10-16T14:15:00.000-04:00

I just had to post to let you all know that I won a giveaway. I can't believe it. I'm so happy I have been doing the snoopy dance ever since. I would show you pictures but I can't as they are protected on Judy's site...but if you want to see the goodies I won, check out her site. You'll need to look at the October 8th posting to see the wonderful little treasures she is gave away. Thank you Judy and Emily!

It's hard to believe but the end of the week is upon us again, this has been a weird kinda week for me. It always is when I have days off. Of course it makes it harder to come back in here after a long weekend.

Don't have alot of time at the moment, but will try to get back soon.

Hugs,
Cindy

2008-10-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

FOR TODAY… October 13

Outside My Window… a breathtaking view of the sun coming up. I don't normally have the chance to watch it as I am already at work.

I am thinking… that I will enjoy my extra day off from work.

I am thankful for… Long weekends

From the kitchen… hot coffee brewing, and plans to bake some bread.

I am wearing… louging in my jammies

I am creating… a more organized system to run my home during my work week.

I am going… to run some errands today.

I am reading… The Longing by Beverly Lewis

I am hoping… for a restful and peaceful day.

I am hearing… the still of the morning. Perfect!

Around the house… alot of finished chores. A good feeling.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Work and come home at night to just do it all over the next day.

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/Here is picture thought I am sharing…

Blessed Autumn Sunday!

2008-10-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

Praying you'll have a wonderful day.

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms 118:24

Putting on my walking shoes

2008-10-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hi Ladies, I am trying out a new method of posting my content so that I can schedule it ahead of time. Not sure if this is going to work or not. Hopefully it will, because at the moment I can't get Blogger to schedule a future post. Can you say upsetting? Anyway, I am going to be happy if this works. Thought I would share with you my plans for the upcoming weekend.

The weather here is suppose to be unbelievable for the middle of October. It was near 80 yesterday and the sun was shining so pretty outside. We headed to DD's football to watch her cheer. I haven't had the opportunity to see her to much this year, so was looking forward to it. The stadium was packed because the weather was so nice and they are had a fireworks show afterwards.

This weekend is the 45th annual colorfest in Thurmont, Md.(woohoo) We go every year. It is so much fun. It will be a day full of yard saling and shopping crafts. You can tell from the picture that this is no small event. It just goes on and on. All the roads leading to Thurmont from my house, set up yard sales. So it is bumper to bumper yard sales all the way to Colorfest. So usually we start out in the morning and don't get to the actual craft area until later in the day. Of course, one of the best things about the event is the food. Can you say tons of junk food. All the things that you love to eat.

This has been a very long week for me, as I am still trying to adjust to my new work schedule so that makes this upcoming three day weekend all the more exciting to me. I can't wait. Hopefully I will find some treasures to share with you when I get back from ColorFest.

Happy Saturday!
Hugs!

Did someone say organizing?

2008-10-01T20:37:00.000-04:00

You all know how I feel about being organized. Sometimes I do very well and then other times I don't. I fail miserably with organizing myself. But I do love the feeling I get when things are organized and in some kind of order. So thought you might like to read some wonderful ideas that I have run across lately.

Organizing receipts
Article found at "It's not about your stuff".

Help… How Do I Organize My Receipts?
Written by Guest Contributor

One of our readers, Lynne, asks our organizer Jessica Duquette:

    Message: Desperately need help with deciding how long and where to keep the following:
    1. receipts
    2. bills
    3. cards (birthday, mother’s day, anniversary)
    4. inspirational writings, quotes, etc.

Jessica says:

Jessica Duquette - Professional Organizer Greetings, Desperately, you are not alone! Most of us were not born with the filing gene. The good news is, in the past ten or so years, the office supply industry, along with the ever-growing organizing industry has made great strides in developing cool and inexpensive solutions for our day-to-day woes. I just wonder…how did our moms do it without all the nifty items we have now?

So…

Here are a few recommendations for you.

Receipts

Most people keep WAY too many receipts! Remember, there are only a few reasons to save a receipt; for warranty or insurance purposes, if the purchase has tax consequences or if you think you might return the item in the near future. Here is my recommendation for each of these: (please check with your CPA or tax preparer for the final word)

possible returns: I have my clients make a special folder called Internet/Return Receipts. This folder is like a way station for receipts that you may need to access in the near future. I would keep it handy, either in the front of your file cabinet if you have easy access to your files, or in a desktop file holder in the ‘command center’ of your home. No command center?

Office Organizers Quick tip: use one of these to hold the frequently-used files, such as contact and emergency numbers, school and sports information, directions, tickets to events, etc. You can make a separate file for each of the kids, or one for each family activity.

This pretty one is only $30.00 at Neiman-Marcus.

Or the more utilitarian version from Decoflex ($14.95). (You can find these at any office supply store.)

If you order something online and are waiting for it’s arrival, or if you are not sure you want to keep something you have bought at a retail store, you don’t have to go digging around through the piles or furiously looking through your purse or the floor of the car, just toss the receipts in this one handy folder. When you know you are going to return something, then you can tape the receipt to the item and put it by the front door so you can take it to your car— again, no frantic looking, it’s all in one place! You can also keep any rebate information in this folder until the rebate check comes. Just remember to clear out this folder every 3-4 months so it doesn’t get too full.

warranty proof of purchase & inventory: Another reason to keep receipts is to prove you purchased the item for one reason or another. This category includes items that are under warranty, such as electronics or large appliances, or expensive items such as artwork, antiques, jewelry or any item valued over $250.00. (please check with your homeowner’s insurance company about your policy) for insurance purposes.

I call this folder Inventory and I would keep it in your regular file cabinet, as you won’t be needing this file very often.

Some people prefer to keep their warranties and the receipt in a separate folder with the manuals. That works, too!

For the inventory receipts, it’s a good idea to keep a copy of the file in an offsite location, in case anything happens to your home. You can scan the receipts and email them to a friend, or keep them in your gmail account if you have one, or you can make copies and keep it with a friend or family member.

Receipts with a tax consequence: Don’t know what to keep and what to toss? Join the club! Unless you’ve just read the most recent version of the Federal Tax code (a mere 13,000+ pages!), it’s pretty confusing, but we all just do the best we can. My advice is to ask your CPA if they have a record retention schedule for individuals. If they do, I would just put it right in the front of my files so that I can refer to it easily when I need to. Meanwhile, the rest of us can rely on Real Simple Magazine’s breakdown for keeping receipts or Bankrate.com’s printable chart.

Again, before you start tossing or shredding willy-nilly, I would fax the schedule to your CPA for approval. Each CPA has their own opinion and each state has their own regulations. Believe it or not, even though you can be audited and fined for non-compliance, there is no such thing as an ‘official’ record retention schedule from the IRS. The closest you can come is IRS Publication 552, Record Keeping for Individuals (.PDF version)

Speaking of shredding, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure you have a cross-cut or diamond shredder in your house to protect your identity. We’ve all heard horror stories and identity theft is one of the fastest-growing non-violent crimes these days and it’s only getting worse as the thieves get more sophisticated. I don’t mean for you to get paranoid, just please be smart.

(And I wouldn’t buy the cheapest shredder, they break easily and it’s frustrating to use, if you can swing it, I would go for one around $50-60, I promise you, it’s worth it.)

By the way, if you are in the habit of making donations to charity or your local thrift shop, please read this informative post on charitable giving and tax deductions from my blog, The best Tax Deduction system for your thrift shop donations.

Bills

Mail Sorter I keep my bills right in my face in a mail sorter so I don’t forget to pay them on time. When they are mixed up with other paperwork they have a tendency to disappear.

This Wire Mesh Letter Sorter from Staples is only $9.00.

For me, it works best to have a rhythm about paying, so I use my online calendar reminder and set it for every Thursday. I get an email that reminds me to pay any bills that are due before the following Thursday. Honestly, I live my life by my reminder emails! Microsoft Outlook has a great reminder system, but I also hear that Google Calendar works wonders for event reminders as well and it’s free!

Google Calendar

Greeting Cards

I am not a big collector of greeting cards, but I am imagining you mean ones that you have purchased but not yet sent. There are some really nice solutions out there for greeting card holders that divide the cards into categories such as birthday, thank you, anniversary, etc. You can even sort them by month so you remember who gets a card each month of the year. Very handy. They are cost-effective enough that you can use a separate one for cards you have received, but I would encourage you to be careful of not piling up the collection of cards you have received. What happens whenever we have TOO MANY or TOO MUCH of something, all of it loses it’s meaning to us. It just becomes another clutter pile, rather than a collection of meaningful items. You may want to weed through and keep just a few of the ones that are really special and put them in your treasure box of sentimental items.

Card organizer If you are not a “greeting card person” (like me!), Hallmark has a fantastic selection of online greeting cards that you can send via email. I like that it saves a tree and leaves no clutter! (If the receiver wants a memento, they can always print out a copy.)

This greeting card organizer box is only $5.00 from Barnes & Noble.

Inspirational Writings, quotes, etc.

I have been thinking about this solution for the last few weeks and I have come up with a 3 tiered approach for these. (By the way, I keep my favorites on post-it’s in a little mail sorter on my desk. Every once in a while, I pick one up and read it. It’s not neat and ‘Martha Stewarty’, but it works for me!)

First and again, remember that when you have too much of something, all of it loses it’s potency and meaning. Whatever you are amassing just becomes a large lump of clutter that clogs your visual field and drains your energy. I would recommend weeding through and keeping only the quotes and sayings that deeply touch your heart. Trust that when it’s time for you to know something or hear something, it will be revealed to you. Sometimes, making room allows new inspiration to come in to your life.

The favorite quotes that inspire for a lifetime I would print out in a nice font on the computer or in calligraphy if possible and you can buy a frame that fits your budget and hang it somewhere where it will always remind you of it’s message.

frames For other quotes that are more of a temporary lift, you can hang them on your fridge or bathroom mirror on a post-it. Some people use Children’s artwork frames for this purpose, at $25, they are a bit pricey, but the holidays are coming up!

And finally, for the long-term classics, you can simply keep a folder called Inspiration in your file cabinet and pop the quotes in there any time they come your way. * This is a good place to keep the quotes that come in and out of your changeable frame!

Well, Desperately, I hope this helps!

Remember, I am on your team,

Warmly,

Jessica Duquette from
It’s Not About Your Stuff

Organizing recipes

Organizing magazines

Have fun getting organized.

Hugs!

What ya think?

2008-09-30T06:08:00.005-04:00

Hi ya...I spent a little time last night changing the look and feel to my home keeping blog to give us that warm feeling of Fall. What do you think? Do you like it? Let me know what you think.

Thought I would take a little time to tell you that I had very productive weekend, and now it is back to work for another week. I am so grateful for list, or I would never seem to make it. I did get about half of my chores done this weekend that I had on my list. We ( I should say Michael) got the bedroom painted and the ceiling fan hung. All the while I worked on more decorating,I did finally find one of the boxes that was missing. I know there is at least one more, but it isn't a big deal. Mainly the pumpkins which I use to sit around or put on my front porch display. So when I run across them I will finish up.

I also gave the kitchen a good clean last night. Michael in all his sweetness made enchilda's for dinner. Can you say yummy? and leftovers? Anyway, I digress, but after all his hard work in the kitchen I decided to do the clean up. I wiped down all the countertops, unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, cleaned out the fridge and did a wipe down, I also put some homemade vegtable soup I made (earlier in the week) in the freezer to have again at a later date, swept and mop the kitchen and family room floor. So felt like alot was accomplished in the kitchen.

Spent some time working on my holiday and prayer journals this weekend too. Needed to do some update. This is the third or fourth year that I have used the HOLIDAY GRAND PLAN and Christmas Countdown so needed to do some updating in those journals. This year I signed up for another little helper. Cara is hosting Holiday Countdown at The Household Helper. Hey with my schedule and anything that can keep me on task I need. Check it out.

Most of you would die if you knew that I have 429 subscriptions (as of this morning) in my google reader. I have them broke down into certain categories. It keeps me from missing out on anything new that is posted by some great bloggers. The ideas, tips, creativity of some of these women are amazing. I also have several blog helps in my reader, and I am loving it. Only problem is, it makes me want to change and update and move things around. But over the next little bit I want to share some of these wonderful finds with you.

Should close for now, will be back soon.
Hugs!

Did you Know?

another giveaway....

2008-09-28T21:20:00.001-04:00

Just a quick update, wanted to share another great giveaway.

Judy over at Homespun Blessings is having another awesome giveaway. Check it out by visiting with her. She truly is one of the most giving people I have ever met, so if you haven't had a chance to get to know her. Stop over.

Gotta scoot to get ready for bed, gotta get up early tomorrow to start a new week.

Hugs!

Technorati Tags: Giveaway

Another giveaway! Gotta check this one out!

2008-09-19T20:49:00.001-04:00

OK ladies, a dear friend of mine is hosting one of the most generous giveaways I have ever seen. You have to go and check it out. She has some adorable fall goodies, but she is also giving away a big LONGABERGER basket. Stop by and sign up and tell Judy I sent ya over. K?

Visit Judy at Homespun Blessings. Check out her September 18th posting.

Ok I have been tagged..thanks Carolyn at

Cranberry Crossings

I am suppose to list 6 random things about me so here go ladies:

1. I'm the oldest child, and have been a mother hen all my life. :)

2. I feel like I was born in the wrong era. Would have loved to lived during the "Little house on the Prairie" days

3. Fall is my favorite season, but Christmas is my favorite holiday.

4. My home is my haven. Would rather be here than just about anywhere on earth. It's totally me!

5. I am highly allergic to bees, and almost died as a child from a bee sting. I carry a epie pin with me today.

6. I have three children, all born in different countries. (Spain, US, Germany)

Now, I guess I should tag someone...

Elise at Nest Sweet Nest

Sandy at For the love of Prims

Shannon at Bless Our Nest

Karen at My Colonial Home

Kindra at 3 guys,a girl and a prim place

Colleen at And baby makes five

I love to visit these sites. If you haven't check out their blogs then your missing out on some fun stuff. I love to see a new post when visiting and I am sure you will too. Take a peek.

Hugs!

Cindy

Ephesians 4:29“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: Giveaways

Everyday going on and more giveaways

2008-09-18T07:18:00.008-04:00

Hi Ladies, I wanted to post before another week was gone and I hadn't. I know you must get tire of hearing me apologize but for whatever reason, I can't get here to post. Although I do get around to visit now that I am using my Google Reader. It cuts down about have the time. Just wish I could post a comment from there. Google guys could you work on that for me?

...This has been a good week, but a real busy week for me. I have been playing chauffeur for Tori this week, as Derek came to pick up her car on Sunday night. Appears his power steering went out on his car so it is in the shop and so I get to take her back and forth to/from cheer practice and all that that implies. I really don't mind but it has just meant extra time on the road.

Yesterday after I got off work, I ran to the salon and got my hair highlighted and cut. Today I feel like a new woman. Why do we always do for ourselves last? Granted I know one reason I don't go and get my hair done anymore than I do, is time and money. I have a hard time sitting still that long, :) and it continues to go up in price. Will be glad when Tori can do mine. She is in her second year of Cosmo classes (through her high school) and she now works in the clinic at the school. So she already does hair colors and cuts, but haven't let her do mine yet.....Hmmmmmmmmm, guess I will have to let her. She loves it.

There is so much going on at this time of year. And I am loving it. Michael and I have had really productive weekends this past month, and not really sure what all we will accomplish this weekend, but hope to get out a little bit on Saturday morning for some yard sales/antiquing/junking....something. I have done pretty good this week staying up on all my house work, so shouldn't have to spend loads of time with that.

I know I have promised pictures...and I haven't forgotten, just still haven't offloaded them from my camera. I will try to get that done this weekend. Bare with me.

There are several giveaways that I want to mention...take a look...

My Yellow Farm House...she has all kinds of great little goodies.

Brown Bag Studio is also having a great little giveaway. Such an adorable little ornament. How precious adorning a tree.

The Noble Wife is having one too, she has all kinds of good loot too.