Chapter 83, In which I become slightly snobby

Well, after spending hours and hours and hours (okay, over 30 in teh past two weeks) looking at patterns or Christmas Ornaments, I have decided I am a snob. i loke the patterns from the 1900's-1950's. I hate (with a passion) the stuff from teh 1970's and 1980's. so it is "old-fashioned" or me all the way. Not that I am all that surprised by this information/glimps into my personaility. I mean, I know I am drawn to the fashions and styles o the 1920's-1940's. so this added information does not truely rock my little world. I have also noticed, as I search, that I really wish I could aford real wool felt. maybe some day.

Chapter 82, In which the Nation votes

I voted today, which will (at least in my little mind) give me the right to bitch and complain for the next four years. I hate when poeple complain, and then you find out they did not vote. If you dont care enough to vote, then what do you care how things go?
I also spent today surfing the web looking for christmas ornament ideas. Hurricane Sandy kind of took out my basement, (flooded) and most of my christmas ornaments, so I am going to work on creating new ones. I have looked at felt, and yarn, and cross stitch. I think I would like to create ornaments that remind me of family and memeroies. I also spent some time today thinking about my crazy quilt project. still have not decided what I want to do. But I do know who I want to put on my quilt, if I do a family quilt. Anthony, Amanda, Nicholas, My Mom, Grandma, Dad, Bonnie, Bee, Marie, Al, Ruthie, Jocko, Paulina, Lester, Tina, Andy, Katrina, Joey, and Grandma Billie. Will have to spend some more time thinkin/planning.

Chapter 81, In which I return from a horrible year

It has been a very long, hard year. Between my foot surgery not healing as expected, the problems still ongoing, and then the death of Ruthie, (my cousin/little sister) it seems as if I have been in darkness for a long long time. 2012 seemed to be about surviving, not living. But now it is time to come back to the light. I have plenty of projects to work on, so it is time to let my creativity out, to begin to create and express myself again.  It was reading about the crazyquilt journal project challenge for 2013 that kindled the small flame that is relighting my soul. It is My goal is to post on my blog once a week, or t least 3 times a month, which is a lot of posting considering I have not posted in a year.
On the happy side, Ressie is still my baby (love that Pommie!) Anthony and I are celebrating our 7th anniversery on Monday, November 5th, and we will both be celbrating our birthdays this month, (anthony on the 14th, me on the 15th)
 God Bless

ok, I can now officially question my sanity. I bought three more patterns/kits to work on, and one actually counts at two, which brings the count of what I want to on up to 63 I believe. I really need to have my head examined. sighs. oh well. At least I know I will always have something to work on! (for like the next 10 years) the bright side is I only spent $25 on it, and if i take $5 off (cuz I am not counting shipping in my $60 for the year, lol) I still have $40 to last 11 months. sighs. I wonder if buying the fabric and threads to a pattern you have counts towards your spending? is going to be a very very long year.

Chapter 80, In which I go into shock

my list has grown again. it really does scare/shock me just how much i have without even realizing it. I mean honestly, how many kits/patterns does one person need? not counting the thread i bought just cuz it was pretty, and not really intended for any kit or pattern? ok, so here goes my looong list. be prepared. 1.Sophie's Afternoon 2.Token of my love 3.Cats in house frame 4.Cats in a wreath 5.Quaker Diamonds 6.Quaker Spring Diamonds 7.Claret Bell Pull 8.Hail Mary (would like to do 3, one for me, and one each for Nicholas and Amanda) 9.Our Lady 10.Victorian Houses Row 1 11.Victorian Houses Row 2 12.Queen of Stitches 13.Emma Rose (Brooke's Girl) 14.Quaker For My Mother 15.Free Birds (Prim Bird Sampler) 16.Year of the Wiener Quilt 17.Family Memories CQ project 18.Santa's Parade Nursery Rhyme Quilt 19.Nativity Redwork Stocking 20.Reindeer Embroidery Quilt/Dishtowels 21.Doodle and Whimsey Self Designed Embroidery Quilt 22.Family Members Album Quilt 23.Ladies CQ (9 blocks) 24.A Place We Call Home Sampler 25.Ladybugs and Bumblebees Sampler 26.Prairie Sampler (Under the Prairie Moon) 27.Heart Samler 28.The Nativity in ABC's 29.Our Wedding Day Sampler 30.All Because (Two People Fell in Love) 31.Rosewood Manor Sampler 32.Simple Peacock (free chart) 33.Shepherd's Sampler Stocking 34.French County Christmas Alphabet 35.Chick Squares (from the 70's) 36.Peace on Earth (free chart) 37.The Peacock (free chart) 38.Celtic Cross (Free Chart) 39.ABC's with birds (Free Chart) 40.Dutch Heart with Ship (free Chart) 41.2010 ABC with Peacock (free chart) 42.Because of You (free Chart) 43.Heavenly Holidays Angel (rose) 44.heavenly Holidays Angel (star) 45.Clothspin Angel (Morning Glory) 46.Clothespin Angel Kit Christmas Teddy 47.Beyond Cross Stitch Rosebud 48.Winter Holiday Prince Ornament 49.Tiny Treasures Diamond Santa Ornament 50.Winter Holidays Sugar Plum Fairy Ornament 51.Cloth Doll #1 52.Family Tree Embridery Wall Hanging (Self Designed) 53.Cloth Doll #2 54.Cloth Doll #3 55.Monthly Fairies (self Desinged) 56.Star Quilt (Aunt martha) 57.To Church I Love To Go 58.1995 Prairie Fairy What is really sad is that I have so many other kits (from when Michales was clearing them out) and free charts. Fabric for a good 10 or more quilts, plus 3 or 4 BOM quilt kits. It just amazes me what I have stashed and stock piled. ok, so maybe I am looking at 10 or more years. the bright side is that with money being tight, i know i have plenty of supplies to keep my going for a long, long time.

Chapter 79, An Intervention is Called for!

Do you ever surprise yourself? I sat last night and gathered all my kits and projects (wips and planned)and then I went into shock. I seperated, and tried shifting them around, but there was just no getting around it, someone in this house has a problem with the amount of stitchy stuff they have. (we will not mention that this person could not truly gather all their stuff cuz some of it is beingheld hostage by the sewing room) There were over 60 kits/wips/planned, (and remember this does not count what is being held hostage) this does not count the flosses i bought just cuz they were so pretty, or all the old cross stitch mags I have collected through freecycle and yard sales, nor does it count the countless free projects printed off the internet. After a good stiff drink (which I will admit made the pile seem so much smaller, maybe that is the secret, if we all drank just a little more, our stashes would become much less intimidating)I chose 20 to keep track of. Wow. Feeling as if i could tackle other areas, i began to try to gather all my yarn and knitting wips/planned. Ok, again realized i had way way to much. (we will not mention the 4 tubs of yarn in teh basement, or the two in the diningroom, three in the sewingroom, and not sure howmany in the attic)After this shock to my system, i decided not to even begin to tackle the quilt fabric for all the planned quilts, or the crazy quilt supplies, (although I am planning to get back into all my crafting/creating in the new year) From what i can figure, if i can complete a full size cross stitch sampler, knit a whole sweater, or complete a full sized quilt 9 times a week, I might use up all my stash at some point in the next 20 years, but this is based on the primis that at no time in the next 20 years will i buy any new supplies/kits/patterns. You know, perseverance seemd a lot easier when I was clueless.

Chapter 78, The long, long, loooong list of wips

Okay, I have a confession to make. I have way to many wips, and way to many wants and patterns. So I have set myself some goals. Some are only for the year, others will take a lot longer. I decided to get on the "word for 2012" bandwagon. after a lot of thought i have chosen "Perseverance" as my word. I think it fits in so many ways. I need to complete, use up, and make do, all things that make me think of the 1920's and 1930's and the great depression. The only way women made it through those tough times was to persevere. I admire the women who managed to keep their families fed and take care of their children during that time. they made do with what they had, and they worked hard to make ends meet. they had to be creative with what they had, and create their own beauty and things to make them smile. So that is my goal for 2012. To persevere. as for my long list of wips and wants, just the stitching came out to over 20. there is no way I will be able to complete 20 stitching projects, plus the knitting, crochet and quilty things I want to do. So although I will list them, I am hoping to get through 6 or 7 this year. I have also decided that other than the quilt show I am going to in February, I will cut way down on my spending of craft supplies. My goal is to spend no more than $60 this year. I have enough yarn, fabric and floss to keep my busy for a very long time. I also have a ton of books on embroidery, quilting, and cross stitch. So here is to persevering in 2012.

Chapter 77, Ready for a new year

I have been gone for so long. I am ready to get back to my projects and creating. So I have decided the year 2012 is the year of crafting. I want to get back to blogging and stitching, knitting, crocheting, and quilt making. I have to dedicate myself to spending quality time working on these things. I figure i have 25 days to create a list of what i want to work on this year, and what my crafting goals are.

chapter 76, sew in night

i have decided to work on my year of the wiener embroider squares. I have restarted April tonight and hope to make good progress. Maybe will get it finished this year!

Chapter 75, and life begins again

so much time has passed, and many things have gone on. but it is time to get back to my creative side. tonight i found out about a sew-along next friday, 5/20 over on Handmade by Heidi ( hhttp://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/ ) i signed up and will spend some time over the next few days deciding on what i really want to work on. i have not made a quilt in forever. Actually due to stress and upsets i have not done much of anything in forever. So this is a new beginning, a time to crete and enjoy. LOL maybe I will work on creating my own muse/guradian angel to help guide and inspre me!

long time no post

things have been hard here for the past 9 months, but it looks like life will improve soon. am hoping to get back to posting by Thanksgiving.

chapter 74, saying goodbye to a fur baby

My kitty died tonight. We just got back from the pet er. she was fine all day, then suddenly she came downstairs, went into convulsions, and that was it. We rushed her to the vet, but there was nothing that could be done. My Nicholas is heartbroken. He is the one who held her wrapped ina towel as we rushed to the vet. It broke my heart to hold him as he cried over our Emily. What do you say to a 13 year old boy? All I wanted to do was hold him and make it all better. The whole time holding myself in check so I didn't fall apart in front of him, knowing I will cry tonight, and tomorrow as I clean up her litter box and her dishes. I am glad we were with her at the end, and that she did not go through it alone, or while we were asleep. I am thankful for the time we had with her. I know she will be waiting for us, and is with other loved ones, but the pain of losing a furbaby is still tough to bare. Emily will be missed. She was a very sweet and loving kitty.

Chapter 73, snow, baby animal blocks and BCQC square

First lets get the pics in.
The first is my BCQC block. not great, but shows promise. My next block/project will be better


Then we finally have the finished baby animal quilt squares. They were started over 5 years ago. I have worked on them off and on. One of those projects you start because you think you should, but don't really like. I am hoping to put them together with 30's fabric during my spring break

I am glad to have the baby animals done.
Now I can focus on my BHC work and my BCQC stuff. I have also picked up the "Year of The Wiener Girls" again.
and now to the snow. It snowed all day yesterday. We got about 9 inches. (as tall as the pommie) it is beautiful and I am hoping it means a snow day on Monday. I love to sit and stitch and sip hot tea and listen to/watch my shows (Dr. Who, Dexter, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, Demons, Bones)

Chapter 72, Cats will deflate your ego

I sat in my chair last night, working on my seam treatments for my BCQC, thinking I was doing a beautiful feather stitch. Quite possibly the most perfect feather stitch ever done by a newbie, one sure to get praise from my mentor (clue one, pride) and as I stitched, I would stop to admire my beautiful work and stroke my pretty little purring kitty who was curled belly up in my lap (enough said about clue two!) and as I finished the seam, thinking, "gee, I didn't realize feather stitching took so much thread, I wonder why?" I turned the piece over and discovered why. or at least I tried to turn the piece over. It seems darling purring kitty and caught the thread way back at the beginning of the stitch and made a huge loop that she was playing with and had her paws tangled in, and had also managed to catch a loop in the middle. While I do appreciate the fact that Miss Emily Kitty wants to help me work, and was saving me from my own pride, I was not happy. (darling Pommie just looked at me from his spot next to me in the chair, and I almost swear he was smirking at me.) So I sighed, untangled the kitty from the back of my block (she never did stop purring) and picked out the seam. sighs. I had been such a perfect seam. So Emily reminded me to be humble (and that if I was going to be dumb enough to stitch with a cat in my lap, I had check the back of my work every three stitches or so, to undo the loops kitty made) and that I will not die if I have to undo a seam treatment. And while the redone seam is not as nice as it was the first time, it still looks okay. Nothing like a kitty to keep you humble. I will post pics tonight or tomorrow. (I have to find the camera LOL)

Chapter 71, working with red

I joined the red color study round robin getting ready to start in one of my groups. I was a little nervous as when we did the blue color study, my block (and one other block from our group) was kept by someone/disappeared. We tried e-mailing the person who had them, and I was told someone had tried calling them, but it was as if they had dropped off the face of the earth, and two blocks from our group went missing. I was angry at first, then sad, as I had seen m block and so much beautiful work had been done on it. But forgiveness won out, and I figure that maybe she needed something pretty in her life right then and our two blocks were it. The color study hostess made and sent us new blocks and mine was beautiful. This time we are doing red. Red makes me think of grandma. I ordered a packet of reds from Miss Judyth (who is soooo awesome! I just love her!) and she sent the most beautiful fabrics. My mentor, Shari (Who has taught me so much and really made me look at my work, and has become like my favorite on-line buddy in the world) has offered to help should I get stuck on putting it together and embellishing seams as blocks come to me. I really need to get the stitchmap button up on my blog. They are my second family. There is so much encouragement and knowledge there. And everyone is so helpful and caring. I can't even begin to list all the wonderful people there, as I would be afraid of leaving someone out. but back to the red color study. I couldn't sleep last night, due to the family issues going on. Grandma's sister, Aunt Bonnie, was buried yesterday. I won't go into details other than to say I think Aunt Bonnie's children should be so ashamed of themselves, and I don't see how they can live with themselves. I hope they get back tenfold the pain and selfishness they have spread. again back to block. Red is grandma's favorite color. So I thought I would do this round robin block for her, then turn it into a pillow or frame it and send it to her for her birthday in November. Grandma loves gypsies, and gold, and Gypsy dancers. Not how to get that across on a block. My other thought was that Miss Judyth sent enough fabric to make two blocks. maybe I should send out the round robin one and see what comes back, and just work on one for grandma on my own. I know if I asked for advice from Shari, Lyn, Miss Ruby, Miss Judyth, and all the other wonderful women over on stitchmap they would have a lot of great advice. hmmm. Maybe tonight or tomorrow I will e-mail and ask for some advice and help. I think right now grandma really needs something special.

Chapter 70, The New Year

Well, we are almost half way through the first month of the year. I have spent the last 12 days thinking about what I want to accomplish this year. I have also joined OPOM (One Project a Month) where we strive to complete one WISP a month, and keep track of it. I was going to list all my "plans" on the side of the blog, but my plan list is 6 note book pages long, so I have renamed it "my creative hopes for 2010" even though I know that I would have to complete 4 projects a week to complete the list, and the list only contains new projects, not any of the WISPs I have. LOL . So my main creative goal for this year is that I will not start something new until I have finished one WISP. Which probably means I will finish a few WISPs, but will just be replacing them with new ones. Oh well. I am slowly making progress on my BHC doily and my BCQC projects. I am hoping to get pictures taken tonight or tomorrow to post. My shoulder really slows me down, as I have lost so much mobility in my right arm, that it takes me three times as long to get anything done. Oh well. I am going to just keep plugging along. The good news is they have finally, after almost 6 months, figured out what is wrong with my arm, I have a pinched nerve at C5 in my neck? not sure what any of that means, but it is nice to know what is wrong!

Chapter 69, Prince Charming

Two posts in one day! and on Christmas!!!
but as I sat here, surfing for ideas for my handwork, I wanted to share some about my Prince Charming. I truly feel God blessed me when He brought Anthony into my life. When I call Anthony my Prince Charming, I mean it with all my heart. Anthony has all the qualities I have always wanted and searched for. I watch and listen to friends who are always hunting for the "perfect" man and I try and tell them they need to decide what they really want, but that is not want they want to hear. So many woman today focus on money, possessions and looks. These are very poor things to base love on. So Here is a list of all the wonderful things about my Prince charming:
1. He works. He goes to work when he is supposed to, very rarely calls in, and works overtime when it is offered.
2. He always comes home to me from work. (No partying, or going out with the boys)
3. We are comfortable in silence. We don't have to chatter or entertain each other, but can sit together in the same room and be happy just being near each other.
4. We are friends, best friends.
5. We do things together. Simple things like running to the store for something, going for a drive, sitting on the porch watching it rain. but we do them together.
6. We show an interest in the hobbies and interests of each other. I have learned to watch baseball and football, and Anthony has learned to go into craft and yarn stores. He even surprises me with craft supplies that he finds on freecycle or at the fleamarket.
7. We know our strengths and our weaknesses. Anthony and I both know that I should not handle money or bills (if I were in charge of the money we would live in a huge pile of fabric and yarn out in a corn field as we would not have any money left to pay our bills) and we both know I am better suited for the grocery shopping and cooking. Not based on gender rolls, but based on what we are good at and enjoy doing. He spoils me with fabric and thread, I spoil I'm with oatmeal raisin cookies and other goodies.
8. We truly love each other and know that love is work, not just a feeling. This is one of the things so many people forget. You have to work at love, and at being in love. if you do not work at it, you lose it.
9. We know we are safe with each other. Secrets, Hopes, dreams, all these things are shared and kept just between us. No laughing, no putting down. Just sharing and acceptance.
10. I think he is the most handsome man in the world, an he thinks I am the most beautiful woman in the world. Both of us know how lucky we are, and truly appreciate what we have in each other.

While I have learned that life is not perfect, and things do not always go as planned, I have also learned that a man who understands my obsession with fabric and threads, my devotion to the Pommie, and my need for a crafting kitty is a very rare find. So no matter what I say, Anthony is the best gift I have ever been given for Christmas or any other holiday. (but don't tell the Pommie!) So I hope all enjoy their gifts and their loved ones.

Chapter 68, Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all. It is a wonderful Christmas here. Anthony worked all night, so he came in early this morning and went to bed, but we will have our Christmas dinner tonight when he gets up. We will have our "real" Christmas on Monday, as we get the kids Sunday night. This has been an interesting Christmas season. Nicholas turned 13 on the 19th. He has changed and grown so much in the past 5 years. From a cute chubby cheeked "baby" to a teenager whose voice is changing, and is getting ready to shave. I don't know why, but that made it so hard this year. To go Christmas shopping and not buy toys. No more believing in Santa, or leaving out cookies and writing him letters. Now all the gifts the kids want cost wayyyy to much, and they usually want gift cards anyways. Sigh. I know this sounds bad, but I feel cheated. I only have had a few years with the kids. only a few years of Santa, and toys. I would not change those years for anything, I just wish I had been in their lives sooner to have more of their childhood with them.
Prince Charming has made sure that I have had the most wonderful Christmas ever. He bought me a glass pendent shaped like a kitty (i really love the glass hearts and pendants. I have decided to try and collect them) some hair sticks (5 sets!) a pink IPOD nano (which I never thought I would love, but I do!!!!) and the second best gift ever!, Miss Emily!! (the pommie was the best gift ever!)

This is Miss Emily. On the 22nd, Anthony took me to the ASPCA and told me I could pick out a kitty. I was so happy and so in shock. I have this deep seated belief that every true "Artist" (okay, knitter, crocheter, cross stitcher, embroider, quilter and Crazy Quilter) must have a crafting kitty. Out of all the beautiful kitties there, Miss Emily chose me. She grabbed my attention, then my heart. Her name was Ms. Claws, which is tied into a story about one of my most loved kitties. that is what grabbed my attention. I filled out the adoption papers, and went home to wait and hope. I thought of so many names, and had settled on Priscilla so I could call her Miss Priss. at 11:30am on the 23rd, the lady from the ASPCA called and said we had been approved and I could come get her. She is somewhere between 2 and 4 years old, had been de-clawed and spayed, and then was left. I do not see how anyone could just abandon this baby, so was very happy to get her. Anthony took me to Walmart on our way to pick her up and we bough a litter box, a very pretty pink cat collar with a bell, and a bag of food. As we were coming home with her, she curled up like a very good girl in my lap and let me know her name was not Priscilla. I can not explain how I knew, but I did. She just was not a Priscilla. She decided she was an Emily and I could live with that. She does not care for the doggies. she has decided she will live upstairs, so we set up her litter box, food and water and a nice big basket with a pillow in it. The Pommie's nose is a little our of joint, but as long as I hold him he has been okay. He sits on the right, Emily sits on the left or across the back of my chair and ignores him, and he can live with that.
So from my little area of the world, every thing is wonderful. It has been a very blessed Christmas. I wish all a Merry Christmas, happy memories, and many, many blessings. Just remember, sometimes blessings come disguised, so keep your eyes out!

Chapter 67, Still Thankful

Time just has gotten away from me lately. I was planning on posting a list of things I am thankful for before Thanksgiving, but I feel that it is better to get it done late than never, so here we go:
The many Blessings in my life that I am thankful for:
Anthony: My Prince Charming. He makes sure the bills are paid (as if it were left to me we would be living in a huge ball of yarn and fabric in the middle of a corn field LOL) and spoils me with little gifts and treats. He goes to work every day, comes home every night, and goes out of his way to make me happy. What more can you ask for in a husband?
Nicholas and Amanda: My children. Okay so technically then are my step-children, but to me they are mine. Nicholas turns 13 in December, Amanda is 11. They have been in my life for 5 years, and if feels as if they have always been there.
My family: My grandparents raised me, as my mother died when I was young, but to be honest, it was more like I was their "change of life" baby. I have almost always lived with them, and my aunts have been more like big sisters (and often mother hens) than aunts. My Grandmother has taught me to be strong, and that I can survive anything that comes along. She is the one who taught me "Never let them see you cry." Which I never understood until the past few years. I always thought it meant don't show emotion, but hat is not it. It means to be strong, hold it together, and show the world your strength. My Grandfather (dad) has taught me to give and share blessings without drawing attention to yourself. Don't talk about helping others. Just do it. whenever and wherever you see the need. I can not tell you how many people Dad has helped. Both my grandparents. They have done so much that no one knows about. I can remember then going grocery shopping and dropping bags of groceries off at the door of one of their renters who was behind int heir rent, but also had a houseful of children. I can remember extra treats stashed to give to the children of people that rented from them. Dad fixing or "finding" bikes for kids that didn't have any. When we used to walk though the swap meet, Dad always seemed to have a few extra dollars that he shared with people who needed them. My Aunts Bonnie and Marie have always been there, hovering like big sisters/mother hens as I grew up. They, along with my grandmother, encouraged my love of thread and fabric. I have spent countless hours watching/helping/learning as they crochet, knit, embroider, paint, and cook. And I can't forget Aunt Charlene, Penny, and Donny. They are my favorites of my extended family. The ones that have been around all my live. Penny and my mom were pregnant at the same time. Donny and I are only 6 months apart. Aunt Charlene is the cool aunt everyone always wanted. She would roll up the carpet in her living room so you could roller skate in the house. She and Penny have always spoiled me. They go out of their way to make you feel special. And they can cook some awesome tacos.
Christine and her family: Christine has become my family here on the east coast. She is more than a friend, but has become my sister. I feel more like an aunt to her two kids. The holidays and any day would feel empty without them around. Christine also encourages my fiber addiction/fascination. LOL she is I guess my knitting teacher, partner in crime, and so much more.
My Yahoo family: I have a group I belong to on yahoo, stitchmap, which has the most caring and giving women on it. There is Shari, my mentor who I just love. She shares and gives so much of her time and talent. Lyn who guides and gives and is Shari's partner in crime, Miss Ruby, who loves Doxies as much as my Aunt Marie and Miss Judyth! Oh she is the best? she is my dealer! ( when I need my fix for CQing) and she has also encouraged my collecting of birds. (thanks to her I have the flamingo girls!) and so many more that it would take a while to list them all. I love reading each and every post, and I always feel as if we were all sitting together at a coffee table with our knitting/quilting/projects just gabbing away as we worked. I love that feeling. They are the greatest group of women. All of them so sharing and supportive.
The doggies: Okay so they are not people, but my pommie is my baby, and Chester and Misha are my furries. They give me comfort and love on a daily basis, and I would feel lost without them.

There are many more aunts and uncles and cousins, people I work with that I consider friends, and I love or care about them all. But the above group is the most important to me. The ones I think about daily.
There are a lot of things I am thankful for. The Lord has blessed me with an over abundance. I have a home I love (crooked floors, old windows and all), my cars, my job, my sewing machines (oh how very thankful I am to have them!) more fabric, yarn and thread thank I could possible go through in a life time, so much so that I can share with others, warm clothes, a pantry full of food, a freezer full of food, my camera and computer. So many things I use and take for granted every day. While we are not rich, we are blessed with an abundance that can be shared.

Okay I am going to kind of close this post with a prayer. Lord, thank you so for all the gifts you have given me and mine. Help me to remember that not all have the blessings I have, and to look at my possessions and blessings as something to be shared, not horded. Help me to give when and where and what I can. Help me to always have an open and giving heart and nature. Help me to live your love, not preach it, and to be an example of love and a strong Christian woman in my actions, not my words. My my actions and attitude bless others, and help them see Your love.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

Chapter 66, Traditions

With Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, I was lying in bed last night and began thinking of what I wanted to get done. So much of what I want to do for the holidays centers around tradition. the making of fudge, peanut brittle and English toffee, homemade ornaments, handmade gift,foods made only this time of year. I have noticed it is harder for me to get into the swing of things being so far from my family, as Anthony really doesn't have any traditions, and the kids have not been raised with the same type of traditions. So really, I only make and do things for me. But I have decided this year that I will mail a box home with all the homemade goodies I can cram into it, and I will work on a couple of gifts for next year. Katrina and Joey both need homemade stockings, so I will begin theirs this year and get them mailed out by next October. Then I would like to make some for Anthony, Nicholas, Amanda and I. I also plan on making 1 extra for any new baby that should come along back home, someone back there should be able to add a name. I want to make sure the kids have a set of handmade ornaments, so I was thinking if I could get 2 a month done, then by next year they would have a nice set. even if I only get one a month done, they would still have a set for their tree's someday. I also think I am going to write a journal of holiday memories and traditions. I plan on including pics from past holidays. I know the journal will be more than a year long project, but I will at least get it started. I was thinking of maybe getting a scrapbook and trying scrap booking to accomplish it. I will think on it some more this week, and maybe get a chance to outline a plan this weekend. Anyone with ideas or advice, please share it!