In Praise of Solar Tubes!!

These are the very last pictures of the redoing of the "infamous" laundry room. I promise!! :-) We finally got our solar tube installed and it is incredible!! I simply love it! And it was really very clean to put in. I mean I didn't even have anything to clean up. WOW!! As I've said, the room is a pass through from garage to a hallway and it was dark. I would have to have a light on in there to see anything. Well, both of these pictures were taken with no lights on or even flash. Just natural sunlight at about 11:30 am streaming in from the tube in the ceiling you see in the first picture. Okay, done! Now, we can start talking about other "eye candy" stuff from now on.

Read more »

Things Learned Recently!

I've learned a lot of things in my life time. I mean a LOT. I thought of keeping track of some of them to share. Just a few thoughts on my particular life. Hah.

1. You truly can be a queen. Oh, maybe not of a foreign country, but certainly in your own home with your own family. Wear the crown proudly!

2. We truly need to be more loving and kinder to those of our own household. We tend to let them see our "bad" side and keep the "good" side for friends, acquaintances and co-workers. That needs to change..........NOW! They are the ones we spend eternity with and actually, we shouldn't have a "bad" side. Only a "good" side - even for the "mean" people.

3. I truly don't know what kind of a day someone is having but if I'm in tune enough with my spiritual side, I'll hear what they might need from me at any given time.

4. Smiles truly, truly do make a difference when just walking down the street or to someone in the grocery store. I've tested this theory out and I'm absolutely 100% right on it.

5. If you put 3 tblsps. of Benefiber in a glass of pineapple/orange juice then you'd better definitely stay home and not let anyone get between you and the bathroom!! This has also been tested!!

Now smile!!

Read more »

Thoughts at the End of a Day

A friend I know painted this little compote dish and I believe it to be absolutely stunning! She has been a sweetie in encouraging me to paint. She's come a long way with her painting and this proves it. Gorgeous, Katie!!
~*~
The last several days I've been working on my website - tweaking here and there. This can be very dangerous!! Trust me on this. It has been very frustrating for me to try and do something and it won't come out exactly like I want it. I know none of you have ever experienced that. Woooooo...... Anyway, I haven't given up. There are just so so many things I want to accomplish: painting a rose is at the top of the list. Becoming more patient is another thing I want to accomplish and believe it or not, I am becoming a bit more patient. This has NOT been easy. I'm a type "A" individual. My brain just never stops. And I have more mental energy than Einstein! Physical energy? Not so much!

Jack was in his home office tonight preparing a talk for tomorrow in church and I went in and said, "You know, I could save myself a lot of frustration by just giving up on some of this. I don't have to do a blog or do an Articles page or a Home of the Month page on my website." He said, "That's right; you don't." So why am I doing it? I'll never become famous or rich, but I truly do lead a blessed life. And becoming rich has never ever been a goal of mine. I just simply want to be creative and contribute to other people's happiness. And..........paint a beautiful pink rose.........

Read more »

Bad Backs and Good Books............

Been go the chiropractor's office 3 times this week and feeling much better. Actually, I love going to them. This one is especially good! His office is the most serene place I've been in a long time. Above is picture of his entrance. The property is just lush and green and quiet..........oooooh, I just had to take pix to show. Like being in a forest almost.

Anyway, been busy fixin' my website and what a challenge that has been. I'm not getting much done lately because of this back of mine, but I am reading some good books. A new one by Dean Koontz called The Husband was really good. A mystery with no vulgar language. Quite refreshing. If anyone has any recommendation on some good books, please let me know. It's about the only thing I can do lately that doesn't strain this back. :-)

Read more »

Ritual of the Bedroom

I've finished with the laundry room. Aren't you glad?!?! Hah. Now, no more saga of the "decorating of the laundry room." In a couple of weeks we get our new solar tube. But the above little clothes pin holder is something I whipped up to "hold my clothes pins!"
~*~

Let's talk about going to bed! Hah, that got your attention, huh? I believe preparing for bed should be a ritual. My ritual is taking time to read before going to bed to sort of "key" down. I have to do this. If we go out for an evening, I must read or relax before going to bed. It is essential for me. I then turn down the bed. That in itself is a wonderful little ritual - turn down the covers, fluffing the pillow, turning on my sound machine, taking off my clothing and my watch. Then I brush my teeth. We sleep with a fan on in the warmer months so I make sure it is turned on. Then my hubby reads to me for a few minutes. Then we snuggle and go to sleep. Some of you might like to set out your nightgown or pajamas. Sometimes listening to old music might be something you like to do. I like it very dark when I sleep. Only one little night light in the hallway is on so when I get up for a drink I don't trip over something. But I take pride in being a feminine woman and making our bedroom our own private sanctuary. It is a frou frou-y type room.
~*~

Visualize your bedroom and think how you could make it more attractive to you and your hubby. My personal opinion is that kids should not be allowed to sleep in their parents beds. It is a marriage bed and only for husband and wife - your own personal place.
~*~

Read more »

Went Shopping Yesterday.

Found this little shelf at a consignment store, brought it home, painted it WHITE(!) and decaled it. Then put on my detergent in the little canister I received from a lady on ebay. I had to add the little wire to the top, but it is a cutie with a little scoop. Those towels are some I'm going to embellish and put on my website when I get time. I've been working on a clothespin holder because the one in there now is yucky with bird poo on it!! Hah...... But I've had to take it apart twice! Just cannot figure out what I'm doing wrong.

I've spent the last 2 days in my chiropractor's office getting "things" straightened out. What a hassle that's been, but I love chiropractors. I always feel better when I get adjusted.
~*~

Read more »

Apology!!!

First of all I need to apologize to Sonia for not finishing my Tag. There is really no excuse and I do apologize. I am a moderator or owner of 4 different ebay forums and that just keeps me busy along with taking care of hearth, home, health and hubby! See I am a 4H-er! Not really. Plus my website and making things to sell on it and ebay. I don't know how women at home with kids do it!! You're all a wonder to me. I'll try my best to get it done within the next couple of days.

These flowers were in a wicker basket but I needed the basket to hide some things in plain sight. Remember my motto. I have a lot of mottos, actually. Hmmmm.....does that say something about me. Anyway, I digress. So the flowers then needed something to "live" in. I took the top off of a very pretty hat box, put the flowers in it and put the top on the bottom. I think it's kinda cute. However, what happens when I need the hat box for something else?! Well, off to the store for more hat boxes, I guess. Hah...........

Read more »

A Finishing Touch..........

After looking and looking at the laundry room, I kept thinking there was more I had to do to it. I finally decided it was the ironing board and iron. Now, I'm not sure what I can do about the iron because when I put it away it's usually hot, but the board was another matter. I made a cover for it! Actually I made it just as far down as could be seen. It's only about half way down or maybe a bit less, but it does make a difference in the way it looks and feels to me. Now I just need a little bookcase/shelf across from the washer/dryer or maybe a small chair or stool to sit on while putting on shoes. I'm almost finished!!!! Do you ever get like that - can't finish something until it feels "just right"???? Sigh..................... Yes, I know; I'm screaming for psychiatric help, huh?!?!?! :-)

Read more »

Tag! I'm It....................

I've been redoing my laundry room and this is just one of the pictures of the finished product. If you want to see it all, go to my website tomorrow and I'll have it posted there. This is just your "daily dose of eye candy!"

Sonia of C Crafts & Collectibles tagged me. I need to tell 7 things about myself that are weird. So, why just limit me to 7, Sonia?!?! There are so many. Hah. I'll tag 7 others but it'll have to be later tonight or tomorrow am. So here goes:

1. I was born with a wry neck. That means that my neck was pulled to one side, but a nurse massaged it and got it normal. However, maybe that is why it is the bane of my existence. It always gives me fits.

2. Also I have a weird foot. Not really deformed but my left foot had the middle toe that is a bit longer than my 2nd toe. Makes for finding comfy shoes a difficult task. I think that's why I love going barefoot. I hate shoes, but Reeboks are my "shoe of choice."

3. Like Sonia, I've lived many places: West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Arizona and Rhode Island. All of those places were before I was 18 yrs old. I met hubby and then we lived in California till moving to Idaho in 1991.

4. I had 2 children, but was pregnant with a 3rd one but must have miscarried. All of them were due on the exact same date: April 3rd! Weird, huh?

5. Doing some genealogy, we discovered that we are descendants of William Wallace of "Braveheart" fame, but I've never seen the movie.

6. I am obsessed with numbers. Yes, I can memorize license plates pretty well. In our last town (small) before moving to this town almost 2 yrs. ago, I could tell you who was who just my looking at their license plate. And I always cancel the "9s" out. And you know, most license plates when canceling out all 9s or numbers that add up to 9 you are usually left with 2 or 3 being the number. I hope this makes sense to you all.

7. I was the highest paid woman in a very large company among the top 60 of Fortune 500 Co. and gave it all up to move up here and regret none of it. I think that is rather unusual to give up something like that, but I'd do it again and again if I had to.

Now, chickadees, you can sweat the next couple of hours or day before I list the names I'm putting on here. Gotta go look at some blogs first to see some that I haven't heard of yet!!

Read more »