Looking forward and a prayer

Source: jameipangilinan.tumblr.com via Meghan on Pinterest

I have been thinking of my post for the New Year. I was going to review the word I had last year and pick a new one but after reading cityfarmers wonderful post I decided I wanted to stop thinking, talking, analyzing what is happening and just be. Wait on God. I am going to use some of her prayer because it is also the desire of my heart. I don't think she will mind.
http://www.savvycityfarmer.com/2011/12/new-year-old-prayer.html

Father God, sweep the dust out of my vessel. Clear out the cobwebs in my heart.

Help me to trust in your goodness.

Pour your Spirit into me.
Restore to me the joy of my salvation.

My eyes looks to YOU rather than the Future.
It is unknown and murky.

Renew my youth (Passion for life) like that of the eagle.
Help me to just live in the moment you have blessed me with.
Your love endures forever!


As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

I wish you all a new year focused on God's faithfulness and our graditude for all He does for us.

Welcome To My Parlor

I'll start off with wishes for a Merry Christmas to all of you.

I thought I'd share with you some Christmas decorations and views of my parlor.

In my Grandparents 1800's farm house there are 2 front rooms that have doors opening to a large front porch. I am not sure why there are two doors to 2 adjacent rooms but one has always been used as a formal living room and the other is used as the master bedroom.

Lucky for me, I can continue to use this living room to indulge my love of shabby cottage and vintage finds. The soft yellow walls work well with my blue and pink items. There is another room that has been used as a dinning room/family room so my husband uses it to watch TV and have his computer.

So, here is a holiday glimpse of my vintage feminine personal space, decorated just for me.

I gave up the family live tree the last few years due to finances and just decorate my pre-lit tree with the soft white, pink and gold decorations that make me happy. I plan on dividing up the family ornaments between the girls this year so they will have decorations for their own trees.

I love this angel. She isn't old but she matches the era I love so much.

This is the view I like to look at when I am reading on the couch. The fireplace is closed off but with the beautiful grate, I draw attention to it by lighting lots of different sized candles to replicate the fire. This is my favorite ritual each evening I can spend here reading.

(Hopefully soon I'll be surfing the net here too!)

Now you can envision me writing my blog and reading yours here in this room.

I wanted to decorate the mantel with live evergreens and candles but I could not purchase them and I was disappointed to find out we have no evergreens on the property. So I just left what I had just put on the mantle after moving in and added a few of my old favorites.

Do you see the awesome mirror and gilded frame? I got that this spring at an auction for $15.00! I had no idea what I was going to do with it. I just had to have it. I thought maybe I'd paint it white and sell it in my Etsy shop. Who knew it would be perfect in my new home just as it was.

Absolutely LOVE this grate!

My first stocking my Mom made me over 50 years ago.

I will leave you with this wonderful antique Santa that belonged to my Mom.

Isn't he wonderful? I'm sure he actually hung in this house at one time.

I think his face looks like the man in the moon but he is old and shabby and just awesome :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and make new memories with your loved ones where ever you find yourself this year.

Update and 5 things

I have an up date on my kitty.

He seems to have turned the corner and is acting normal once again! Thank you for those who were praying for him.

I guess I'll let him live another day.

I am passing along a little something I found on my blogger friend Julia's blog

http://mizjuneytalks.blogspot.com/

She is a hoot and because of my lack of time these days I thought I'd pass this along. I hope some of you will participate too.

5 Things

You may not know that I:

1. NEED music. (My family has instructions, if I am ever in a coma to put my Ipod on shuffle and leave it on my head. Just in case I can hear.)

2. love to make people laugh.

3. would rather live in the mountains and have snow than in a warm climate with a beach.

4. crowds make me nervous. I really don't like holiday shopping.

5. I really like being alone.

I'm really pretty knowledgeable about...

1. Dogs

2. Art, Photography, color

3. Spiritual matters and the Bible

4. Reading people

5. Decorating

I know nothing about...

1. Math or science

2. How to read or play music

3. Apps for phones I'm still slower than a snail texting!

4. The current entertainment world

5. Working in the real world I'm learning LOL

And, I believe...

1.God is in charge!

2. in the good in all humans and everyone needs love

3. in living in the moment-it's all we are guaranteed.

4. controlling others is not your job and is extremely harmful

5. letting people express themselves. We are all different and we should be able to be who God made us to be.

Your turn!

Valium for a cat, seriously?

he Let me start out by saying this is the best, most awesome loving cat I have ever known.

That is saying a lot since my husband and myself are not really cat people. We have had 4 cats, they all found us one way or another and they were all very good cats but Arah is a very gentle loving cat.

Lately he has developed a problem and he is now a cat on drugs.

Not just your typical animal medication

He is on Valium

He may have emotional problems from all our moving and changes in routine.

He may have seen his brother Toby killed while they were missing for 2 nights and was traumatized. He doesn't like to go outdoors anymore.

What ever happened he is different.

He developed a common urinary condition which can be caused by stress. We have changed his food and put him on anti-inflammatory and pain meds 8 weeks ago. I have been very patient since he is such a wonderful cat and my girls love him so much.

But

he can not stop having random accidents every couple of days.I am really tired of crawling around the floor sniffing out the exact spot or waiting till dark to walk around with the black light looking for the spot. I am going through tons of Natures Miracle.

BTW, this stuff is awesome!

Just when I think we have turned the corner he has another accident.

I went to the vet for one last ditch effort to find something to help and that is when he suggested Valium.

Ok, lets just have a stoned out cat.

I'm now worried he won't be able to find his litter box.

He has started eating like there is no tomorrow. I thought pot only caused that.

It's been 3 days and we are waiting. So far so good.

I don't want to put him down but if I have to watch him squat in his litter box for 15 min. peeing or just trying because he feels like he has to go and seeing his mopey face. I can not let him live like that. I have had multiple urinary tract infections and just wanted someone to shoot me.

I believe in quality of life and if this drug doesn't work then his day to day life will be pretty unhappy. Until then we have a cat on some pretty addictive drugs and he should be pretty happy.

Conversations

Have you ever just listened to people around you in a public place?

Since I have to find free WiFi for the time being I have to keep visiting places to sit (hopefully quietly) and look at Pinterest, my Esty, Facebook and then here my blog friends.

Well in my little town there is no place peaceful. McDonalds just doesn't get it.

Today I am at Barnes and Noble. The people in the Cafe are talking quietly but I have heard so many interesting conversations.

Two men in front of me- In what I thought were military uniforms, speaking what sounds like French?

Maybe they are pilots.

We do have both an airport and a military base in Dayton.

Just odd to hear another language except Mexican here.

We won't go there will we.

An older couple beside me-She says to her husband after they finish their coffee, "So what do you want to do now?" They were so cute I had to speak to them. I said "The only thing to do on a rainy day is shop or nap." He said he wanted to nap. She wanted to shop. LOL. I told her she had 1 hour to buy something bright and fun then they had to go home for a nap!

I love talking to complete strangers.

A couple of women beside me- "Suzie turned out well, but...."

I stopped listening, don't want to hear gossip.

I just looked over at the coffee counter an a woman has at least 12 books in her arms. I hope she puts them all back when she is done looking at them. I HATE it when people bring magazines into the cafe area and then just leave them for the workers.

"Isn't that what they are paid for?"

No! They are paid to make coffee not clean up after you!

Sorry, I just had to get on my soap box for a minute.

Well I am really going to make an effort to post 1 time a week throughout December. Things are getting into a rhythm now and I can make time to think a bit these days.

I am really hoping we can afford to get the Internet thing to plug into the laptop soon. I miss keeping up here daily.

Have a great week and pay attention to people around you, they can be lots of fun!

Finished Retro Farmhouse Kitchen

Here are some images of my finished 30's kitchen!

It has taken me a bit to get this room done and (clean enough) to get a photo shoot done.

With my new job and still unpacking and decorating the other rooms in the house, I have not had time to finish making my cafe curtains and pulling all the little extras together.

Yesterday I decided it was the day for the shoot.

I just loved putting this look together to compliment my Grandmothers old sink and metal cabinets. You can go back a few blog entries to see what we started with.

Stacking table linens has been fun. I had a few red items that I had purchased to make stuff from for my Etsy shop. Who knew that I would need them myself. I did have a bit of trouble finding a green and red table cloth that I wanted for this room redo. Most 30's and 40's red linens were combined with either a turquoise green or blue. I wanted to match the green I had chosen for the walls that matched the vintage kitchen utensils I had. I finally found the cute little cloth with the plates and coffee pot at an antique show.

I love the white bead board. It really made the room brighter and tied in with the built in cupboard beside the stove.
See those glasses in the drainer? Those were my Grandma's! They were the perfect color.
I am a collector of bowls and I am happy they fit in with the decor.

The knife holder was in the old wash house. I could not believe it was in the colors I had picked.

The post holders were to go on pillows but they will remain mine now. Aren't they so cute. I have such an appreciation for the work these ladies put into making these cute potholders.

So, here is really where we put what we already had to good use. I needed a table of some sort to hold the microwave. I just missed purchasing a really great porcelain top white cabinet at the antique show I was at by 10 minutes. I didn't get it when I first saw it and when I went back a man was writing a check for it. We had this sofa table but it really didn't fit in either of the living rooms so here it is in the kitchen and really, it is perfect. Shelves to hold all the extra stuff.

The little wooden shelf was in the house.

The linens I had to craft with.

The cafe curtains started out as 1 single panel that came in a box lot that I was going to cut up for the pillows I make. When I came across it and it was the perfect size to be cut in half, it became my inspiration piece for this room. I cheated and only had to put the top rod pocket on one panel and hem the other.

I picked up the vegetable holder at a garage sale along with the paper towel holder in the bottom shot. The clock is from Target. Perfect retro style.

I really like having a smaller kitchen. I have a lot less walking and less counter top to clean. With just the 2 of us now it is perfect.

I'm working on my living room now so I hope to have regular images of it before I start decorating for Christmas.

Seize The Day!

I am so glad I took the photos last week while driving home.

Last night we had a lot of wind and this morning, all the bright leaves were gone :(
It looks like fall hasn't begun in some areas which could mean we get a 2nd shot at fall but in others most of the trees had already turned color and so now almost everything is bare.
Here are a few of the images I played with from the other day.
I hope you enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

Fall Beauty and my drive home

The road I take to work!

Isn't this beautiful?

Fall has always been my favorite season but I have always been so busy and distracted I have never been able to truly enjoy it.

This year is a different story.

This is the view out my front door!




This is a corn field I pass on my way to work.

This is the corn field across the street for my house.

I have more photos to share but only a few minutes to stay on the Internet today. I am missing all my blogs so much. In a month my pay checks from the new job will be consistent and I hope to purchase some kind of card through our cellular co. so we can have Internet EVERYWHERE! WooHoo.
Last week my wonderful husband had supper waiting for me when I got home each evening. Being new empty Nester's, combined with moving into the new place make us feel like we are just starting out.

It's actually a lot of fun.

OK time is up here. I'm at our local grocery store with a Starbucks. Lots of screaming kids and babies. I'm ready to head to the country and take Cooper for a walk down that beautiful road.
I'll check in in a couple more days and share some artwork I created the other day.

A Little Complaint and more Good News

 I don't want to sound ungrateful here. 

Life really is getting so much better.

But

We don't have Internet yet.

I love my house

I love living in the country

But

I miss my Internet!

I came into town to do laundryy and to put a very uplifting blog entry on here.

I started the laundry

I had 40 minutes

I already had it written out so this should work.

I went to Tim Hortons, ordered a sandwich and sat down to log on....

It wouldn't let me.

I rebooted, reloaded, turned my laptop on and off, on and off.

I messed around until I was out of time

I felt like this lady but I controlled myself.

so, back to the laundrymat, put clothes into dryer.

1 hour - this should be enough time.

drive across street to McDonalds

order a snack size McFlurry (got to support the people who provide the wifi)

Log on success!

Start to catch up on my friends and a girl behind me is applying for something on line and is reading all of it to someone on the phone. really?

Couple across from me talking softly then she gets real loud.

She is on her phone.

I put on head phones to drown out these rude people and I can still hear the kid to my left, the man (with the loud lady)  has a ringger on his phone that goes off and sounds like a siren. 

I start looking out the window for the emergency vehicle.

Another guy sits near me and starts talking on his phone, loudly.

Remember, I have music in my ears now.

Now a team meeting accross the dinningroom.

Forget it. 

I'll write my uplifting entry when I am more in the mood.

Maybe when my $700.00 check comes from the colon test study I did comes in and I can pay for internet at our new place.

Yeah, that is another story.

2 colonoscopys for a study for a camera pill rather than the traditional scope.

I had to do both

to compare

I don't have to tell you I had never had one done before I signed up.

O well, I got paid $700.00 (not here yet) and 5 pollops removed.

I can't consentrate here so I'll just leave you with this entry and a bit of good news.

I got a new job!

The original reason for coming to town, to update you all and leave you uplifted. Like I felt.

I'll get back with you with that one.  New job starts tomorrow so it maybe a few days before I can find a quiet place to blog.  I'll shoot for Starbucks after work on Wed.

I Have Great News!

For those of you that have been following my blog for awhile you will be excited to know we now have a place to live!

 For the new visitor, We lost our house to foreclosure and had to move last February. We were lucky enough to have a friend offer her finished basement for us to move into until we could find a place and employment. 

 It has been a stressful time and unfortunately, at times I lost my hope and trust in God. I know better and He has proven himself so many times in my life but we grow through difficult times and I had a lot of growing to do. I thought I had learned the lesson of patience many years ago but with that I needed to learn perseverance and trust. We often say we trust God but when the rubber meets the road and we have nothing left and no positive thing insight you begin to wonder. 

 Every great man in the Bible had a desert season, even Jesus. I know this has been mine and I can truly say I am thankful for every bit of it! 

 I am stronger, more peaceful and my trust in God is now very strong. 

 I was willing to, and have, given up so much of what I thought was important. 

 I have learned to trust in the dark places. 

I have learned that He is a God that loves us and really does want great things for us. 

We just have to understand that we need to give up our ego and pride. 

Stop trying to make our lives happen and learn to rest in Him. 

Listen to Him. 

He will guide you and then guess what? 

He gives you the desires of your heart. 

 I am stunned as to what he has done for me right now. I just sit in amazement of His provision and goodness. The house we are moving into is my Grandparent's homestead. The house my mother grew up in. A vintage, shabby chic, farm house! My favorite style to decorate with and what I like to sell in my shop on Etsy. I am sharing with you some before pictures of a few rooms as they were when we started the clean up. I will be sharing as we decorate this awesome canvas. If you like cottage style, Farm House style and Shabby Chic then stay tuned I hope you will enjoy watching as we add some TLC to this 100 year old home!

Formal Living room

I LOVE the fireplace.

Our bedroom.  

LOVE the built in closets and wood work. 

 It has looked like this all my life.  Can't wait to decorate in here!

I already took out the carpet and waxed the floor!

The 40's retro kitchen!!!!!!!

OK, I already had the kitchen of some peoples dreams and people would die for.

I'm not a cook and I could care less.  

I have always dreamed of having an old fashioned kitchen 

so now I will.

We are renting so a kitchen remodel is not our job.

 In this tight economy and situation, you make do with what ya got and I got this!  Hahahaha, score!

I shared in a blog on June 26th about seeing

old homes on a Sunday drive.  Go back and read it.  

Who would have thought 2 1/2 months later I would find out I am moving into a house I have dreamed of.

Stay tuned to see how God does wonderful things and 

continues to put this tapestry together.

Oh yeah and I just saw how my background matches the house!

Wow.

Our Collage Graduate

After 3 full years of classes our oldest Daughter Liz graduated from the International Academy of Design and Technology with a bachelors in Fashion Design!

She has had quite a lot of moves through the last year but she finally got her own studio apartment in North Chicago.

The ceremony was very nice.

Luckily it wasn't a huge school so they only had around 200 graduates. Everyone was extremely glad to receive their degrees.

The guest speaker reminded the students of the difficult times they are graduating in but encouraged them to press forward and not loose hope. I thought that was a good approach and he was very wise in his other advice.

It's a hard thing to have to do, speaking to college graduates when 9% of Americans are unemployed.

He should be commended for taking that job on!

He did say "if women shop for clothes like my wife the fashion students should be OK. No woman is going to go around out of style."

Family

Liz with her sister who leaves to start her freshman year at Johnson and Whales in 2 weeks in Miami Fl. and Mom and Dad who are looking forward to being alone again for the 1st time in 21 years!

My Awesome girls! I am so proud of both of them

Aunt, cousins and grandparents who all took the trip to Chicago to witness this great day.

Waiting

This is how I feel

Do I just sit and wait on God? "Be STILL and KNOW that I am GOD.

or

Do I try to find a way out of this place?

Here We Go Again

thomas-moran-oil-painting-on-canvas-the-angry-sea

I feel like this ship tossed on the angry sea.

Tomorrow my husband is going in for a heart cath to put stints in to relieve more blockage. He has been having trouble for months but we didn't have insurance so we were waiting until I could get a job with benefits. That hasn't happened and so we could not wait any longer. We go to meet with the surgeon today.
I am still looking for a job. We went to a trucking job fair Friday and are seriously considering driving a small sprint truck. We might as well see the country. Our girls are at college and we don't have a house so we could do this to get back on our feet.
(As long as my husband gets better.)
The lady we are living with is getting tired of us I think, so I am really feeling the pressure to find a new place. ( but I don't know where)

I know with all my heart God is in control
That these trials make us stronger
Most days I am at peace, trusting in Him and waiting. Knowing He has a plan.
The pastor yesterday had a great story about letting Jesus steer my bike.
It was a great illistration. I felt better.
But
Today I do not.
I'm scared
Getting scared gets me in trouble.
So it's back to FAITH and TRUST.
He has not let us down yet and we really are not in need of anything important.
He has truly blessed us so why do I get scared?
I'll be fine but I'm just really feeling that I don't have the strength He thinks I have.
If you are so inclined I'd appreciate your prayer support.
Thanks

Help Please

A library in need...

I LOVE books. I LOVE to read. I want everyone to LOVE to read or at least have the opportunity to read. When I came across this post I knew I had to share. We have to many books to move again so I am just going to bite the bullet and let them go. I hope you have some to pass along or can buy some nice used books from your local 2nd hand book store and support local! Win, win for all involved.

The original post comes from Danielle ~ here http://www.frenzyofnoise.net

"The literature section of Ballou Senior High School's library in Washington, DC has 63 books, not enough to fill five small shelves. In the area marked "Pure Science," there are 77 volumes. The generally accepted standard for school libraries is 11 books for each of Ballou's 1,104 students."
Why we should care:


"It's a challenge for kids to take their literacy seriously when they don't even have books to read. Ballou is located in the most dangerous ward in our nation's capitol. Right now, the library serves as a physical safe space and a refuge for students in off school hours, but wouldn't it be great if they had something to read while they were there--even choices across genre?....This is not the only school in the country with needs, but when the flare went up we saw it and chose to respond."
What they need:
Everything. From Shakespeare to Octavia Butler to Richard Wright. Fantasy, sci-fi, YA, adult fiction, history books, poetry, classic literature, science. Basically anything and everything suitable for teens. She said they would take anything as long as it is in GOOD condition and has no writing in it.
I've asked if they would accept ARCs (new or old), and the director of the book drive, Lisa, said YES.

How to donate:
If you have books you want to give, please mail them directly to:
Perry School
c/o Margaret Pegram
128 M St. NW suite 318
Washington, DC 20001
Inside the box put a note that says "c/o Lisa P. Ballou Book Drive".

The school will be accepting books until August 22nd.

(Also, if you'd like to include some kind of quick note for the kids, words of encouragement, that would be awesome!!)

Spread the word!
Reblog this post on your blog. Tweet this post. (we're on twitter at #HSBookDrive) Tell everyone. Send books