A Belated Merry Christmas,...

A belated merry Christmas to all, and a Happy New Year!

Christmas was quiet, but very nice. One daughter was sick, and just recuperating, the heat upstairs wasn't working, and the dryer stopped too. But, hanging clothing is about to end, as the parts are due by today or they are free. One daughter wishes them to be a day late. Hahaha.

The heat was just a worn wire, and blown fuse. Hallelujah, 'and then there was HEAT!' My cats are now happy as two of them caught colds. The snow is on the ground and the roads are fine, but not so on Christmas Eve as it took 2 1/2-3 hours to drive home from a Costco half an hour away from here- getting over two mountains very slowly and carefully. I took the small car and it was great in the snow and on the ice. Others swerved this way and that, but I hardly did. Just kept steering the right way when necessary and all was well- just my nerves a little frayed.

We missed going out to my niece's, yet maybe the quiet day movie watching was what the doctor ordered, as my middle one being sick would've been miserable driving four hours total.

Why the butterfly? Because they signify new beginnings, and we are about to start a new year.

Thank God for the easy fix with the heat. We had to wait a while , but then it inspired me to fix a few other things around here, as the weight was lifted. (I was worried about a huge bill.)

God Bless, and keep your spirits light, trust and have faith that good will prevail, because that is what is promised to us:)

Some recent finds...

A chair I am working on to go with an old accountant's desk I up-cycled.

Some cool finds. The sweet , very old picture is now hanging in my living room. The fab. green , vintage cabinet and eagle roof tile holder are for sale. The chimes in the front are very old, metal with painted decoration, and need to be restrung.

What great finds have popped into your life these days???

'Clutter Busting My Life'

Not my picture, but my sister-in-law's, I believe. Loved the depth of field . Have not posted in a while. Clutter Busting my life. Making room for changes and this new life.

I have been listening to older cd's that I listened to 10-30 years ago. The music is touching things inside me which were just 'hanging out'. Remembering me as a single person. That's a lot of years ago. Remembering who I am and what I've been through. Remembering feelings, emotions, thoughts, inspirations.

Just read Clutter Busting Your Life by Palmer Brooks. He 'clutter busts' people's homes with them, and helps them to 'clutter bust' their lives. (He is also a comedian). I can get rid of just about anything, just give me the time to do it. Right now, I still have some papers that need going through and shredding, and art materials also. The hardest part is saying goodbye to things that I want to do.

In elementary school we had a sub one time who asked us 6th graders if we liked certain subjects. I said yes to all of them because I loved learning, and still do. When he finally asked who liked math, I raised my hand. He stared at me in disbelief. I don't think that anyone else raised their hand. Math is just another language to me. I like exercising my brain, beating out cash registers. Ok, not all the time, like when I am rushed or tired. I like keeping my brain smart.

So, I have to get rid of artist materials- fabrics, papers, a little bird cage, etc. that I just won't get to for a while. My husband said that I had all these 'just jobs'. This 'just' needs a little of this, and that needs 'just' a little of that. I see the potential in many things. But, sometimes, life gets in the way and changes things. So I am changing some things around here. Our family life changed drastically, so I have to now work a lot. My scheduling is insane at times. Have to simplify it, because I 'just' can't do what I've always done.

So I am lessening the distractions so that I can add new adventures and people in my life. The latter is scary, and I'm not that much up to adventures these days, considering the things we've experienced in the last 6 years. Such is life. The ups and downs change constantly, but the one constant I see when I look, is God's hand in everything. Something may seem bad, but works its way out. It is then that I usually realize that the worst did not happen, that we were protected once again from some major travail.

When I see these everyday things, I lighten up, because I know that things will be alright. And sometimes we have to wait longer than we want for some things to occur in our lives. But, I am helping things along by removing fun stuff. It's hard because I do not want to. I think of what I have paid, or how much time it will take me away from other things that I want more in my life. But, you know? That's ok. That's just ok. Because, when one door closes, another one opens.

And I am opening up my life to the new me. Like the butterfly, I am clutter busting my cocoon that I have been in for quite a while. I think I will take a sip of this nice drink in this tall glass.

What do you think? Should I insist upon selling all the these things on-line and earning much needed moneys back, or donating a bit and helping others? The more you give, the more you get. I guess it's win-win either way I go.:)

Enjoy a refreshing summer drink, as you burst out of your own cocoon!

xo Lydia

Please pray for Baby Jacob

Please pray for my friend Vivian's grandbaby due 8 June. It has been a difficult and scary journey for all involved. Click on the link to read more.


http://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-05-20T17:37:00-07:00&max-results=3

Serge Wins Counties Again & Today is Two Years

So two weeks ago Serge won counties for a second year. He was severely cramping in his hand and legs, fell on the ground, and  when he got up his legs were so stiff from cramping that he could hardly move. He just played UNBELIEVABLE tennis!!! It was just amazing. I have never seen him play so well.

He suddenly developed a sore throat before the cramping started. I ran out and found a Rite-aid 5 minutes away. Bought him orange juice, Emergen-C, and Vit. C throat lozenges. The runner up is a solid player, and it was so nice to see them both enjoying playing with one another. When coach came around asking if I or others had anything salty, his opponent's grandparents gave him a can of almonds! The nicest, most gracious family.  What a joy to see young players who are honest and good. What a joy to see people who just wished the boys well. Now that's the way to play tennis!

So 9:16 this morning brought in the 2nd year mark for Ken's passing. Luckily there wasn't much going on at work this morning, because I welled up a few times. My students didn't see. I was so glad that it wasn't hectic. A quiet day otherwise. We watched 'The Secret' at the end of the day. It is a feel good, inspirational movie based on the book. So what started out as a possibly weepy day, turned into a beautiful day full of wonderful memories. I turned on Jim Brickman Radio for the class, and it set the tone for a peaceful and uplifting day.

Then a retired priest from our church and his wife came over. They wanted to give me something. They had no idea that it was Ken's 2 yr. anniversary of passing, but it was providencial. Fr. was upset that he hadn't checked his calendar, but I was tickled over the visit. They are an elderly couple who are two of the most wonderful people you could ever meet, placing smiles upon all faces, young and old. He said a couple of prayers for Ken in Heaven, and us here on earth.We are truly blessed.Having Fr. and his wife come over for nice conversation and special things topped off our quiet day.

We truly must find the good in every day. Sometimes it may be difficult, but I always wake up saying thank you, and fall asleep saying thank you. If I am cranky and can't find much to be thankful about I thank God for my family , cats, and tulips and lilacs, my favorite flowers.

Got a terrific fortune in my fortune cookie today. At first I thought it was the silliest thing, and then I re-read it.

                        Fear came knocking at my door. Faith answered it. There was no one there.

With faith, fear is gone. May you have a faithful and blessed day.

Love you, Ken!     xoxoxo

Beautiful antique cabinet

This cabinet is in my friend Jenny's powder room. Jenny passed away in 2009. She had beautiful taste. I love this cabinet. I love and miss my friend Jenny even more.

Check out this cool Pom-Pom Tutorial

on Piece.

Do I even know how to Post anymore????? Sorry for not posting in like , forever!

Sheriff Bunny

Vintage Chick Cookie Jar

Me time, and some stamped on, mini, vintage, Dutch, doll shoes. Aren't they adorable? I love the way they turned out.
Paperweight baubles that my girls do.
So here are the facts. I work too many jobs keeping a roof over our heads, preserving our excellent credit, and trying to make a go of things without my honey. But that's the way it is. May he rest in peace.

But this year has found us in better spirits overall, and if we can get through this next election in November, and have good things take hold, well then, by golly, things may not be so bad after all. OK- God said to be hopeful until the end. So a positive attitude creates your positive future.

I have been doing a warehouse sale that opens up once a month. My friend Jessica and I do it together. We provide a lot of the smalls for the show, because most people- and there are not that many of us in this big warehouse space- have furniture. We have had a few smaller pieces of furniture, and a couple of big pieces, but we do smalls. So I sell vintage and a trickle of artwork, as I save that for my shows, and don't want things getting moved around a gazillion times. I like keeping things in good shape.

Putting a few items in ETSY, just so that it is bare no longer. It just got so hectic around the end of the year.

But 2012 is the year of taking a little more time for me. That means taking time to henna my hair when needed, reading some more books that I want to read, doing more fun artwork, and not just in the rush of getting ready for shows, and starting to work on the house, painting, hopefully doing a deck , and finishing the basement and my studio. And if you have been with me in this blog for awhile, then you know that I've spoken of finishing the basement before.

Truthfully, my time seems to be rather limited with hubby gone, being a one parent household. With a teenage son, a daughter in college, an older one who helps when she's home, but has her own life, because she's graduated, working, and has a long time beau, and three kitties, well....."I'z bizzy fokes".

Sheriff bunny and the vintage chick cookie jar are probably going into my Etsy shop.