Sweater Purse Lining

Crazy Scarf

Here is a picture of my daughter wearing the "crazy scarf" I made her using all sorts of yarns, sort of like the idea of a crazy quilt. I had seen a very expensive one sort of like this a.t a local department store and decided that I could make something like it for a lot less. My dear friend and crocheting mentor helped me figure out how to do it. It didn't turn out exactly like I wanted it to, but all in all, it is not too bad.

Treacherous but Beautiful Skiing

Ron and I decided to check out some of the x-country skiing down in Petosky, and after driving around for a while trying to find a place to ski, we finally settled on this location near the local college. Since we knew nothing really and had read that the trails were groomed, it was flat and went along the river, we thought it would be a good choice. It was really cold out, so I was hoping for an easy trail that we could go relatively fast on to get good exercise and stay warm - and hopefully, the scenery would be nice. Well.....it didn't quite turn out like I expected. Whoever wrote about the trail should have defined "groomed" and "flat", as those were terms used pretty lightly in the write-up. It turned out to be somewhat treacherous for me, although, of course, dh didn't have any problems. The trail was packed down, but hardly what I would call "groomed". I fell several times. There were times where we had to travel over bridges that were barely wider than our skiis. We couldn't really travel fast enough to keep very warm, and I was exhausted from falling and trying to get up. "Help - I've fallen and I can't get up!" was my chant! But on the plus side, it was truly beautiful. And I got some good photos, although I had left the better camera in the car : ( So if I ever go there again, I will know what to expect and be more prepared.

My dh took me out for coffee afterwards to reward me for such a trying time. : )

Our Romantic Getaway Up North

Ron and I went up to a condo across from Boyne Highlands last week for a much needed get-away. With the economy, troubles at Dow, and just general exhaustion, I was desperately needing a break to take time to pray, re-connect with my husband and just re-evalute my priorities and how I was living my life. Lots of things to deal with and my emotions were at rock bottom. The condo was absolutely beautiful, the snow was beautiful and we had a really good time. I was able to feel much more rested and focused. I don't know that we made any big decisions, but we dealt with some things that needed to be addressed and I felt much refreshed.

If you haven't taken the time lately to re-connect with your spouse, Now Is the Time!

Twitter Moms: The Influential Moms Network

The Pets

The pets don't get much press around here, but they are definitely "involved" in our family. So here they are!

Devotional: King of Glory Video by Third Day

"Snow in the City Forest"
January 2009


A powerful worship song from Third Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ExnRvGk9ZA

I am trying to do the One Year Bible Reading and study located at this link

http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/

as my daily Bible study this year. I also purchased The Bible Experience audio Bible and I am really enjoying listening to the Bible this year. I read along online or in my personal Bible. I haven't done it EVERY day, but I am trying to keep up. My prayer is that God will renew my enthusiasm and zeal for Him through this study this year.

Memory verse for this week:

I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 NIV

I also found a really neat site for parallel Bible, and Bible in various languages, including the Latin Vulgate, Greek, Spanish, etc. It is an awesome resource. Find it here:

http://biblos.com/

Two Hearts

This is my very first attempt at downloading brushes and using them. Of course my dd helped me a lot. But I think it really turned out quite interesting - don't you? This is a photo that I took when Ron and I were in Montreal this summer. I was wandering around during the day while he was in conferences for work. These hearts are outside the Musee Beaux Arts. It was a wonderful day of wandering. I just took my time and soaked in all of the old architecture, history and beauty.

My First Photoshop Try - Outhouse Door Handle

This is a photo that I took while up north on a cross-country skiing date with my hubby. We stopped in an historic village and I took some cool pictures. This one is the door handle of an outhouse. My dd helped me to edit it in Photoshop. I got the idea from this blog: http://www.thelastdoordownthehall.blogspot.com/ It is simply a fabulous blog and you should take a look around if you get a chance.

Ways to Renew Your Spirit

1. Go to church
2. Listen to wonderful music that you don't hear often.
3. Watch a movie that you love.
4. Read a good book.
5. Go for a walk or hike.
6. Sit quietly in your favorite chair with your eyes closed.
7. Take an extra long bubble bath or shower by candle light.
8. Make a pot of soup for supper and let it simmer all day in the slow
cooker while you relax.
9. Take a nap
10. Go for a drive.
11. Turn off your phone.
12. Sit outside and listen to the birds.
13. Take your dog for a walk
14. Curl up on the couch with a magazine.
15. Build a fire or light a candle
16. Do the crossword puzzle.
17. Listen to the audio bible.
18. Drink a really good cup of coffee while looking at beautiful books.
19. Do something creative.
20. Play the piano.

Time Management vs Procrastination

Professor C. Northcote Parkinson says,

Work expands so as to fill the
time available for its completion.

My Weight Loss Journey

I have recently lost 45 lbs and am trying to maintain the loss. Ideally, I would love to lose at least another 10 lbs. We'll see what the new year brings.

I used the Isagenix plan. I still do 2 shakes a day and one healthy (&sometimes not so healthy) meal and do a nutritional cleanse once a week. I didn't lose over the holidays and maybe gained a little. It was all those fruitcake cookies my husband makes! Ha! But now I want to try to get back in line with the program. One thing I have learned now that I am over 50 is that if I ever want to eat anything extra I MUST exercise. We have been x-country skiing when the weather co-operates and I have been doing a Pilates class once a week and trying to walk at the mall a few times a week. Now that school has started back up for me (I homeschool), it is harder to find the time to work in the exercise. So I hope being a part of the Yo-Yo Sisterhood Diet Rehab Twitter group http://www.twittermoms.com/group/yoyosisterhooddietrehab will help me stay motivated.

As far as my weight loss goes, it is and has always been, a struggle for me. My biggest "downfall" really was multiple injuries that kept me from exercising and also depression. It took a major devastating event to get me on my journey to weight loss and to get me to start putting myself on the list (like Oprah said the other night - ha!) I had spent so much of my life caring for others and giving and giving that I never took care of myself.

So the devastating event (which I won't go into) helped me to decide to take care of myself. (That - at least - was a positive outcome.) I guess there is that turning point for each of us - and it is different for each of us. But once I started healing - I was able to start moving toward health. And it is still not easy. But I would encourage each of you to consider putting yourself back on your list. I have to daily recommit to eating healthy and I do fall off the plan sometimes. I just keep trying to pick myself up and get back with the program. So...I hope these comments help a little for any of you who are struggling to lose weight or keep the weight off.

Twitter Moms

Interesting Quotes from TOS

"Home schooling is a very old way of doing things. If you look at any of the bills in your wallet or the coins in your pocket, they all have a picture of a homeschooler on them." -William Lloyd

"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success." - Louisa May Alcott

7 Days of Give-Aways by Learning at HIs Feet

Starting today, you can click on the button in my sidebar to see how you can win a daily give-away for the next 7 days.

Holiday Printable Countdown Freebies by Linda Vollrath

Today I finally joined a Yahoo Group for Altered Books. Why haven't I thought of that before?! The first message I read was by Lisa Vollrath of Ten Two Studios and she is having a Holiday Countdown Freebie give-away of downloadable freebies. Please visit her web site and support her. Thanks, Lisa!



Also, I hope to scan in pages from my many, many altered books and post on here. I just never take the time to scan them in. But - over Christmas vacation......whee - hopefully I'll finally get to it.

Maybe as a part of this group I'll figure out if I'm doing things right, wrong or like any one else is doing. I'm really looking forward to this.

Thanksgiving is Coming

This year I hope to spend more time being truly thankful. I read a good article in our paper today written by a local doctor. It was profound as he shared a little about patients that entered his practice and how each one made him realize an area he had to be thankful for. For example, a woman who couldn't walk made him realize how thankful he was that he could walk. There are so many things that we take for granted. Even with the economy as it is right now, if we stop and really think, we have much to be grateful for.

Once again, my MIL will be with us for Thanksgiving. We are so blessed to still have her with us. And my SIL will be coming for a visit with her 2 boys and her boyfriend. It will be good to be able to enjoy her company. We have a warm, comfortable home in which to host our guests. I tend to focus on our lack of space instead of the fact that we have such a nice comfortable - and may I mention - paid for - place to invite friends and family to visit. Well, there are many more things - our health, my DH good job, my children, and more. But for now, I'll just say Thank you - to God, my creator and savior.

"O terque quaterque beatum”
We are three or four times blessed.

Jess in Chinese Cultural Festival

Today Jess performed in the Chinese Cultural Festival at the Center for the Arts. The dance they did was called "Dun Huang Fantasia" and was beautiful. The festival featured a Chinese Orchestra, Tai Chi Fan, a fashion show where the clothing was replica from the Tang Dynasty period, (Jess modeled a green Kimono with an umbrella), displays and exhibits of Chinese brush painting, Chinese calligraphy, food, musical instruments and more. It was quite well done and entertaining.

Jess was exhausted when it was all over with. She had to be there from 9 until it was over. I was very proud of her. She looked absolutely beautiful. She also made the newspaper and had her picture in - in silhouette - much to her relief. She was embarrassed to be seen in the costume which was a little revealing.

Fall Fun and Halloween

Last night the kids went out again and we had our annual Halloween gathering with much trick-or-treating, food, and fun. Katy and Alex went along as chaperones and were given much candy, since they, too, were in costumes. We had chili, nachos, homemade chai and wassail, and of course, lots of candy. We even had chocolate covered potato chips supplied by B! Wow were those ever good and even a little sinful. Ron also provided us with Margaritas to spice up the evening. The most fun for me is watching the kids get dressed up and also to see all the little ghosts and goblins that stop by. It has been an annual tradition now for about 10 years. Then while the moms sat with their feet up sipping Margaritas, the dads and kids played Apples to Apples. Lots of fun! I'll post photos later when I get my adapter back.

Economic Downturn and Homesteader Outlook

We have talked as a family about going on a "money diet", as my best friend often calls it. Now that our stock value has plummeted, we are looking at it as a good time to tighten our belts and teach the kids more about living frugally. We have never been really extravagant, but have always had as much as we needed. An article I read had the following tips for keeping a homesteader's mindset, even if you are not a homesteader. Here are the comments"

Avoid the feeling of depravity and start thinking of it as creativity.

Before purchasing anything (clothing, food, household item, equipment, etc.), there are several questions that run through the mind of someone who considers themselves a homesteader. These questions help decide whether he or she should make the purchase. Here are just a few examples:

* "Can I make it myself for less than it costs to buy it?"
* "Do I have something already that works in place of this item just as well?"
* "How often will I use this new item?" (Hint: If it's not used regularly, don't purchase it.)
* "Can I do without this item?"
* "Do we actually need it or do we just want it?"

When choosing to do without or make do or make it myself, the homesteader looks at the whole event as a way to be creative. Creativity is central to this new mindset, not just a budget or skimping, but creatively finding new ways to do things, new ways to make things, and new ways to use, reuse and recycle things. It's a challenge and a game to someone with a homesteading mindset to see just how happily and simply we can live. http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08oct20c.cfm