24 Hours

 As I was taking our dog, Gunner, on his daily 2 mile walk around the neighborhood, I was amazed at the difference in my mental attitude from just 24 hours ago.
 Yesterday, I was feeling a little down, depressed, in a funk, unmotivated...whatever you want to call it. Nothing of any importance happened to make me feel this way. Just "got up on the wrong side of the bed" kind of day. It was dark, windy and very wet weather making the house feel dark on top of my dark mood. I did manage to get the girls guided through their school work...although, my tolerance level was low. During algebra, I was not making any sense to them, or myself for that matter, the lack of patience and my mood forced us to put away the lesson. Finished early, I retreated to my bedroom and sulked away the afternoon. I never managed to get out of my pajamas either. That kind of day.
  Yet today, on the walk with Gunner, I was feeling content, happy, accomplished, motivated, refreshed...you get the idea. And again, nothing in particular happened to make me feel this way either. I got up "on the right side of the bed" today. The girls went to co-op first thing, and I managed to get some things accomplished. I made it out of pajamas, got pictures of items and listed them on Etsy, made a blog post, and granola started in the oven. The girls returned and we flew through the second half of the algebra that we abandoned yesterday and completed the remainder of the school day in record time.  Then the walk with Gunner.
 We have all heard the saying "Take an aspirin and call me in the morning."  When we really think about it, 24 hours can make a big difference mentally, spiritually and physically. Physically, you can take a medicine and within 24 hours feel like a new human being. Spiritually, you can make the choice to be baptized into Christ and "...be raised with Him through faith in the working of God..." Colossians 2:12. Mentally, like me, you wake up on the wrong side one day and on the right side 24 hours later.
 Being a child of a mother that committed suicide, I just wonder what could have been so wrong that she couldn't see that tomorrow would be a new day. I don't generally share my feelings concerning her death, but while walking today, I realized that  her decision is not a reflection of who I am. The result of not having her in my life makes me sad a times and long for a mom, but not having her has not been all negative. A positive of not having her is that I fell it has made me the mother that I am today. I desperately try to not take moments for granted with my own daughter and steal a kiss or hug every chance I get. Maybe it comes down to being able to forgive yourself, ask God for his forgiveness and move on. 

Garden just about Anywhere

With a "For Sale" sign in our front yard this spring, it was advised that we not put in our garden. Apparently the garden might ward off potential buyers...I thought it would be considered an plus! I mean how often do you buy a house with the garden already started for you??? The reality is that most people don't garden and I find this sad in some way.
I had already started seeds in an egg carton and hated to just throw them out. Funny thing, the wind got to my light weight carton and took care of most of them for me. The few plants that were left got transplanted into a flower bed along the back of the house. This space is usually used for herbs, so why not just throw a few extras in there. 
I was beginning to think the idea of any fresh vegetable was doomed when the chickens then got into the flower bed and dug up just about EVERYTHING!! I managed to salvage two plants, that I thought were both squash. However, I was surprised to find that one was a watermelon! Just wanted to share a few photos of the plants in that bed and encourage you to garden just about anywhere!
The ONE squash has provided us with plenty for our family of three. I have not had extra to freeze, but have been thankful to not have to buy it in the grocery store. The watermelon has taken over!! We have harvested two of the five melons on the vine and they have been a treat...and the chickens love the left over rinds.
Hope this inspires you to plant a squash or two even when someone tries to squash your garden...Happy Gardening and thanks for stopping by!

Cards and more cards...

As we have all read many times, the digital age has taken a toll on personal interactions with our friends and family. Remember those things we used to receive or send to each other through "snail mail"....those things called cards?? 

I have an aunt that lives a few hours away and she sends me a sweet personal note almost every time after we have been able to see each other in person. She tells me that she enjoyed our time together or whatever else is on her mind about our visit. She not only takes the time to write the note, but she most often makes the cards as well. Every holiday is another opportunity for her to send them...and I mean EVERY holiday...not just the big ones. It is a good day when I open the mailbox to find an envelope with her handwriting having addressed that special note to me!

She has inspired me to try and be better with personal correspondence...it is nice to know somebody is thinking about you! As part of the process and my crafting addiction, I am making cards as well. Not everyone has the time or want to do the card making but like the idea of a unique card. In an effort to help those that aren't crafty or those short on time, I have put some in the shop. Check them out and brighten someone's day with a personal note!

Thanks for stopping by!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

After a fun filled evening of Just Dance 4 and our tradition of sushi dinner, we were a little late to rise. Having a less than 60 degree day also means I was quick to get a fire going, but that is about as far as I have made it :)

In starting a new year, I tend to look back at the past one first. 

• The first quarter of 2012 was fairly quiet. I began officially "couponing". I became a student of Coupon Divas, created a binder and got serious about saving money.  I finally got to see Wicked with one of my besties! I helped chaperone a choir trip to Chicago. We got to see the river turned green for St.Patricks Day, so cool. My prayers were answered for this trip and we had no boy/girl issues and unseasonably warm weather.  I convinced my husband that we needed chickens! He built an awesome coop and we purchased 6 chicks from Farm and Tractor Supply.  I met more neighbors over the next few months than I have met in 8 years of living in this neighborhood. Everybody wanted to know what the heck we were up to...haha  I think I am officially the "Crazy Lady" of the neighborhood now.

• The second quarter involved cutting my work schedule from 3 days a week to 2 days. I was starting to contemplate home schooling as an option for our daughter. Said daughter then qualified for the State Gymnastic meet in vault, which made me hesitant to take her out of public school. I had my hubby on a roll and he built 5 raised beds for gardening.  My husband and I took a 5 day cruise and reconnected on a whole new level thanks to E.L. James and 50 Shades of Grey.

• Third quarter my daughter got her driving permit and I did not have to go to jail over it! The quintessential government employee almost felt the wrath of my East Texas roots...my blood pressure raises just typing about it now!!!  She also started her sophomore year of high school. I took my last trip to Six Flags Over Texas....in July anyway. Crazy hot and crowds of people are not my idea of fun and happiness. Our family adopted a dog from the local animal shelter, named him Gunner and let the fun begin!! Last but not least, we celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary.

• Fourth quarter, I TURNED THE BIG 4-0!  I planned a 6 day trip to Broken Bow,OK with the intent to reflect, read, hike and be one with nature. Well, 3 days into the trip and I had read my book, read all the magazines I had brought, took a 6 hour driving trip along the Talimena Scenic Drive, reflected and I was ready to come home. My loving man is so understanding and we came home on day 4. Through a series of events at work, I started working just one day a week...wonderful!  I lost my patience and did take my daughter out of public school and started the homeschooling process. It has been a lot of work, but well worth every minute.  Learned many things from YouTube including making apple butter in the crock pot, homemade bread, woodburning techniques and how to work my new serger.  I did save a total of $2011.55! I wish I would have looked at that total before today....I would have saved .45 on something to make it 2012...oh well. (Yes, I am that person that had a tally of all the savings I had accumulated.)

In review, I find that this was a year of learning how to adapt. Life is constantly changing and I have had to step out of my comfort zone often. Some of those steps were not as graceful as I would have liked, but nonetheless I survived.

I hope 2013 is balanced, happy and productive. Happy New Year's to you and yours!