Happy Holidays!!

Just a quick post to wish all of you

the Best and Warmest Memory Making Holiday Season ever!

Should you or family be traveling, wishing a safe journey.

Take care and hope Santa is good to you =)

*hugs*

deb

No More Lawn a At Last!!!

For a while now, I've wanted to rid our front yard of lawn.
Let's face it, lawn takes a lot of maintenance and water.
We've haven't met our rainfall for the last few years, so my neighbors don't think I'm as crazy a they thought I was! 

I used the same method in the front as I did in the back.

Cover the existing lawn with a thick layer of newspaper.
On top on the newspaper add a thick layer of compost.
The newspaper kills the lawn and turns into compost too.
I consider it the lazy man's  lazy woman's way to garden.
I really don't consider myself lazy,
but I don't go looking for extra work if I can get away with an easier method =)
Neighbors didn't understand why I didn't dig up the lawn,
remove a layer of soil and replace it with "good" soil.
Heck no!

So here a few pics I took along the way.
I started the beginning of last summer.
Took my time (needed to save the money)
and finally finished last month.

The front lawn ~ before

The grass is gone!
Recycled brick edging.

Salvaged rock property line border.
Keep that lawn over there! ;)

The other half. I found this beautiful red slate at the quarry.
I made paths from the sidewalk and driveway to the main sidewalk. I love it! That pot you see is where the sewer cleanout is.
Haven't decided exactly what to do there yet to keep it "clear".

So far the spring bulbs are in, along with a few Iris.
White and purple Violets, Foam Flower then Lily of the Valley followed. Recently I purchased a Pomegranate and Beauty Berry. Anxious to see them all sprout out in the spring.

Considering a small rock/stone water? feature to include.

It will evolve over time.
No hurry to fully plant.
I like to see what calls out to me.

Right now I am just enjoying NO LAWN!!

You can find an update on my front garden here

Holiday Hang Tags

I belong to an eBay Group called Age Before Beauty (AB4B). It's filled with a group of ladies who are very Talented Artisans. Each month there is a group launch of items within a particular theme. This month is "Shopping Frenzy". =)

Well, was I surprised yesterday to pop into the group and see one of my launch items featured! I am still amazed I was invited to join this wonderful group & feel honored to be able to join in these launches.

These are the Holiday Tags that were chosen ro be featured!

Here are others that are listed currently.

Should you like to see more lovely handcrafted items by our group

 type AB4B into the search bar on eBay =) You won't be disappointed!

Toodles til next time

*hugs*

deb

Follow up to Yesterdays Post

Just a quick post to follow up on yesterday's post.

Here is Pat's Blog where she posts all the dolls she recieves.

http://www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com/

Way Cool Pat! She is such a super lady.

Have an enjoyable evening =)

Comfort Doll Project

I've been made aware of a wonderful lady that has been doing a generous loving project. Her name is Pat Winter. She started making small dolls to send to abused women's shelters.

Here is an excerpt from her site:

"Everyone at some time or another needs a positive gesture,even if from a stranger. The maker of the doll would enjoy the creating from her heart and hands, and the recipient will enjoy the gesture that someone thought of her......

It offers a woman in need, a gentle hug and the feeling that other women who may have been in her shoes at one time knows what she endures and shows there is hope for a brighter future.....

I am extending an open invitation worldwide to anyone who wants to make a small (6" or less) doll of any type."

To read her entire story, here is a link to her Comfort Doll Site:

http://www.patwintergatherings.com/Comfort_Doll_Project.html

Pat sends out a dozen at a time to shelters all over the US.

She has shipped 32 dozen so far!!

What a wonderful way to make this Holiday Season a Giving Season =)

I have made 2 so far and plan to make many more as time allows.

A definate reminder for the recipient that someone cares all year round.

Should you find a bit of spare time on your hands, while sitting in front of the TV, whip a few up. They will be greatly appreciated.

*hugs*

deb

Treasure Hunting

Well, I've been digging through my Treasure Pile again!

I have pulled out these two antiques to list on eBay today.

This old Glow Heater Blue Line by Montgomery Ward & Co.

Neat cast iron base. Not sure if it works, but displays beautifully.

Ceramic cone core.

This antique Baby Doll Bed is over 60 years old. All original pale pink paint, chippy & peely. My sister is the original owner. Wooden.

Have a beautiful Autumn Weekend!!

*hugs*

deb

More Holiday Items Listed!

Ornament Hooks and Holiday Hang Tags

have been added to my eBay Store.

Here's a few samples:

"Country Holiday" Hang Tags

"Snowmen" Holiday Hang Tags   This is a very busy time of year for everyone.
Keep warm Stay safe
*hugs* deb

Holiday Door Greeters

Wishing everyone a Memory Making Holiday Season!

I finally found time to get started on a few Holiday projects....

*~*Holiday Door Greeters*~*

Several styles & sizes to accommodate everyone

Here are a few currently listed on eBay. I had fun making them, I hope you have fun looking at them =)

 

 

Sweet Shabby Cottage Mitten

Door Greeter

 

Gingerbread Man Door Greeter
 

 

Mini Lavender Door Greeter

 

 

 

Holiday Door Greeter

Thanks for taking a peek~

Wishing you a happy day!

*hugs*

deb

Unusual Painted Semi's

Here are 7 pictures of (European) semi-trucks whose trailers are decorated to look like the sides are missing and the products they are hauling are painted on the sides and back.

=)

The first one is of a bookshelf with books lined up in it

and a post-it-note with an advertisement on it,

probably for the company that sells the books

The second is of canvas tote bag.

This one is of a bottle of beer and looks so real,
like it is coming out the side of the trailer.

 

The fourth is of another truck with the windshield facing the back

and there has been a driver painted in the driver's seat looking back over his shoulder to appear like he is driving backwards.

Pepsi cases and they are all stacked on the ceiling,

and the bottom of the trailer is empty.

An aquarium with fish swimming in it.

The last one is for Pringles-Hot & Spicy. The 'inside' of the trailer has the appearance of having been through a fire.

Neat!!

*hugs*

deb

Featured Member for 8/21/08

I'm so excited!

I belong to an EBay group called

Age Before Beauty.

All the members are such creative & talented artists

that I'm still have a hard time, after 2 years, believing I was invited to join.

Each day a member is chosen to be the Featured Member

based on one of their listings

I was chosen for today!

The Fall Door Hanger above was the item chosen.

Believe it or not that holster was mine groing up!!

I had such fun making this piece

and love the way it turned out =)

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday!

*hugs*

deb

Still Finding Treasure!

Well, I'm still digging through my mountains

of goodies that were brought from the farm!

Not sure if I will ever get to the bottom.

Seems I keep adding to them by going to local Estate Sales =)

Thought I'd share some with you!

Vintage fruit jars I added pipe straps to the lids for handles

Gorgeous Olde Florist Basket...

I think these old bottles were unearthed in Columbia, California

Adorable vintage little girls slip....

more mason jars with different painted lids.....

Love these old cookie cutters...

Especially the old tin ones!!

I think I'll probably miss my mountains,

Some neat old hardware....

should I ever actually get through them ;)

*hugs*

deb

GRANDMA'S HANDS

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.

She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the Longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her At the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and Looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she Said in a clear voice strong.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here Staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I Explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really Looked at your hands?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them Over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at My hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have Served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled Shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to Reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the Floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my Mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled On my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off To war.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen, and bent. They were Uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated With my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone Special

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I Buried my parents and spouse.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and Shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the Rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried And raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works Real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to Fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out And take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God Reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my Children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and Caressed and held by the hands of God.

Julie Andrews on Getting Older

To commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan’s Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:

(Sing It!) - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,

Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,

Bundles of magazines tied up in string,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts ,and hearing aids and glasses,

Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,

Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,

These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad,

I simply remember my favorite things, And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,

No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,

Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',

Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',

And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,

When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break, When the eyes grow dim,

Then I remember the great life I've had, And then I don't feel so bad.

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes.

Transparent Butterfly

~Transparent Butterfly~

Absolutely gorgeous!

It comes from Central America and is found from Mexico to Panama.

It is quite common in its zone, but it not easy to find because of its transparent wings, which is a natural camouflage mechanism.

A butterfly with transparent wings is rare and beautiful.

As delicate as finely blown glass,

the presence of this rare tropical gem is used by rain forest ecologists

as an indication of high habitat quality

and its demise alerts them of ecological change.

Rivaling the refined beauty of a stained glass window,

the translucent wings of the Glasswing butterfly shimmer

in the sunlight like polished panes of turquoise, orange, green, and red.

All things beautiful do not have to be full of color to be noticed:

in life that which is unnoticed has the most power.

Really something isn't it? ~Wishing you Dragonfly Daydreams & Butterfly Kisses~ *hugs* deb

If.......

If, a simple two letter word.

Have you ever wondered, what if?

What if I had decided to do this, or this or that?

Would I be happier?

More content?

Be a better mother, wife...

person?

I suppose you could drive yourself mad with all the what ifs & if onlys.

Wishing or wanting.

Wondering.

Should we be satisfied with the "way things are"

Can we ever be satisfied, content?

Seems I'm filled with questions tonight.

Maybe that is why I'm not asleep.

If only I was wiser, smarter.......

The decisions we make must be made with the most information we have at that time.

That's all we can ask of ourselves....

To beat ourselves up due to a poor decision is moot.

If we find that we have made a wrong choice,

we must learn from that experience.

Is it wiser to live with our choices or to abandon them?

I don't know

Maybe we each have to do what we feel is right.

Life is short

Too short to live unhappily.

But

should you be selfish & abandon responsibilities so that you can be happy?

Or it that being selfish?

Again, what is right for one person is wrong for another.

Maybe if we are patient our time will come

to be happy, content.......free

~~I wish you happiness~~

*hugs*

deb

My Wednesday from Hell

Ever had a day that seemed to last for a week??

That was yesterday.

Been up since 4:30 making potato salad.

OK

Bought a new van a month ago.

DVD package was included but not installed. After more than enough phone calls I finally received a return call from the dealer with an appt. I needed to be there at 8am. for a 3-4 hr job. I had intended to wait in the lobby. Melissa (DD) ended up having the day off so she decided to follow me. We get to the service dept., they do NOT have an appt for me and don't know what I'm talking about. Also, sales didn't give me a work order to show I was due the DVD. I Take a deep breath as the the service manager says she will have to wait until sales comes in to find out whats going on. They will be in about 10-11.

OK. Melissa and I go wander. We stay on the same street the Dealer is on as to not get lost, we are good at that. We eat lunch, wander a bit more. At 1:30 I finally call. The Sales Manager calls the installer (heaven forbid the dealer puts it in themselves). It should be done in about an hour. We decide to go wait in the lobby. After waiting and waiting and waiting, we finally find out they are short handed and are trying to find someone to go get the van. We see the Service Manager walk kinda sideways to the Sales Dept as to not look at us. hmmm, that can't be good.

She and the "fill in" sales manager come over. Seems the installer put the wrong DVD pkg in. I ask what the difference was. He says the one they put in is $2000 over the one I'm suppose to get. I promptly say thats fine, I'll accept that for my compensation. He says no they can't do that. I promptly and loudly say that it seems that now that they have made their sale and gotten my money they aren't as eager to please me. The lobby is between the sales & service depts., and darn if the customers looking to buy & the customers in service heard me. oops

He tells me they will give me a loaner and bring my van to me on Friday. I say good cuz we have seen way too much of their fine city.

He goes off to get paperwork & find a car. It's starting to get dark. I remember my directions are in the van! OY! I thought we need to get out of here fast if we have half a chance to find our way home before it's dark and everything looks different.

I try to rush them along. OK got the key. As I get in the boat ('07 Chrysler 300) they gave me I notice sales stickers all over the windshield. I turn to glare at the manager. He runs over to remove them. Of course, they don't come off easy or one piece.

We are off. I'm following Melissa cuz I have enough trouble driving and manuevering the boat let alone find the way. About 5 blocks away I look down. In my haste to leave I forgot to check the gas tank. It's got 1/4 tank!

I call Melissa. She spots a station. I'm following her but get cut off by traffic and lose her. OK I'm lost. I call her shes waiting at the station. I don't see any station :( We finally find each other.

I had intended to only put a few gals in it. I couldn't get the key out of the ignition so Melissa was trying to get it out, I was watching her not the pump and before I knew it, it was full. Needless to say the dealer is getting a gas receipt/bill for $59.85!

We are off and kinda know where we are. I call home (DH) and TJ (middle DS) to update them on the situatuion.

TJ is on the way home from a Dr appt and on the side of the road changing a flat tire. He felt worse when he got up so went to the Dr again. He is worse, fever now. Dr put him on more heavy duty antibiotics and steriods. He has to see the Dr once a week and is out of school at least the 28th, if not longer.

It is totally dark now so I tell him to BE CAREFULL, and if he's still there when we pass we will stop.

15 mins later TJ calls to let me know he not only has one flat but two!! OK, How am I gonna get his car home, don't want to let it overnite on the side of the road. Towing is costly and we've already used up AAA for the year. I call Brandon (oldest DS) to ask to borrow his spare (they have simular cars) He's on the way home from work and will head over. Brandon calls back to tell us stuck in traffic, to go home and he'll call when he gets closer.

We did, he did. Changed other tire. Brand's spare is flat. I mean flat, flat. I run home to get the pump. OK Done. Tell Brand to come over for dinner. I put a chicken & veggies in the crockpot this morning so in case I didn't feel like cooking dinner would be made. HA!

We get home, things calm down. Go to serve dinner, the chicken isn't done!! I had put it on low instead of high! I immedaitely put it on high, like thats gonna do any good!

OK Frozen pizza it is! Ate, Brandon left, got to bed about 11:30.

Oh yes, the potato salad. It's for Brandon's birthday on Saturday, that I was spose to have all day to prep for. But now I need to be at Big O for TJ's tires at 8am.

C'mon TGIF!

BTW, the chickens done.......

*hugs*

deb

*Help Fight Autism*

Take a moment to help fight autism and raise awareness.

Just clicking into the website raises $$...

The band, Five for Fighting, is generously donating $0.49 to Autism Speaks for *each time* the video, is viewed.

The funding goes toward research studies to help find a cure. When you have a moment, please visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along to your friends and family.

They are aiming for 10,000 hits, but hopefully we can help them to surpass this goal.

http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214

Update on the farm

After many many trips to the dumps, recyclers, and any where else we could get rid of stuff, it's acyually looking pretty good. Knocked down the 2 parts houses and the "gypsy wagaon". Took down the front corral fencing and the stanchions. Sure opens things up so you can really see how much space there is. Still more area to clean up but at least we can see differance. There is a nursery that is interested in leasing. But not sure how we feel about them. They want alot of changes regarding the contract, etc. Plus they are considering tearing down the barn!! That would just break our hearts. Really wanted the house, garage AND barn to stay put. At least until we sell. Dad built all the outbuildings on the property. Plus the realator told us the barn was such a good "landmark" for a business. Well, he's changed his tune. Not sure how I feel about him either. Such is life.

Here's a pic of our barn =)