Spring's Simple Pleasures

Here's Our Little William,

stopping to smell the flowers...

Isn't Spring just glorious? Watching Willie discover all the wonder it offers... makes this time of year even better than I remember it being before.

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama to share one moment.... via a single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember…”

Surprise Day at Home

Today started like any other.... Willie woke up way too early (4 am) but that's not totally unusual. Dan got off to work without a hitch. Willie ate a big bowl of hot cereal for breakfast - well most of the cereal. He was sloppy enough that an emergency bath was in order. Then we were all dressed and ready to go (he to daycare, and me to work).

We were standing in the kitchen... Will was jabbering about something in his sweet little baby voice, when suddenly a strange look flitted across his face.

And then he vomited. A lot. All over.

He seemed to be impressed with himself, standing and pointing at the huge lumpy puddle... when he hurled again. **ugh**

At this point he still didn't seem to be any the worse for wear. He was bending over to stick his chubby little fingers in it, when I swooped him up and stripped him down to his diaper. I handed him his little ball of yucky clothes (yuck all folded to the inside) and asked him to put them in the laundry basket. He said "yes"and trotted off while I hurriedly cleaned up.

He soon returned, happy as a lark and empty handed. "Good" I thought. Clothes are in the hamper. By then I had noticed that our issue was bigger than vomit anyway, and we were off to his room for a much needed diaper change.

Once he was diapered and dressed; I gave him his blankie and parked him on the sofa while I called Dan, the babysitter, and my boss. Once everyone knew I was going to be home for the day, Will and I settled in.

But then I remembered that I'd never verified the laundry was put in the basket. Uh oh. I know that I should always double check.... I looked in his basket. I looked in our basket. I looked in the tub, the toybox, his bookcase, his crib... no dirty clothes. I asked him where they are? He shrugged.

Tiny little stubborn man! Grrr

Eventually I found them, oddly folded... and placed carefully in the proper shelves in his closet. Yucky, right? But also terribly funny - or at least it struck me that way, but maybe I was getting tired. **sigh**

He's sound asleep now, lovely little lamb. His fever has broken and he's been able to hold down both fluid and food for a few hours now; so I have high hopes that this was a short little bug and that all will be back to normal by tomorrow.

Hope you all had a wonderful day.

Let the Garage Sales BEGIN!

Spring has sprung & the first wave of Garage Sale season is upon us! I’m so excited! I just love hunting for treasures at garage sales, yard sales, rummage sales… whatever you want to call them. This weekend I'm kicking off the season with a big annual church sale that will be 100% children's clothes, toys, books etc. It will be fun!

When Dan and I first started dating (years ago), he was skeptical of my Saturday morning adventures. I don’t think it was till much later after we were married that he came to fully appreciated my thrifting efforts. I would point to some cute outfit at the mall, and say “Oh, I got one of those for $1.” After looking at a few of the price tags in the stores, he was convinced it was a good thing. Now, on occasion, he and Willie even go with me and we make an outing of it.

Here’s Will (you can see him if you look closely, I promise) sitting amid the bargains from just one morning’s effort last summer. Almost everything was name brand. It was all just like new, and I spent less than $20 for the lot.










So are you excited now too?

If this is going to be your first year trolling the streets for bargains, you might enjoy some advice from an old pro such as myself. If you are also an old pro when it comes to tag sales and the like, maybe you will be able to add some good tips of your own.

My Personal Rules for Garage-Sale Shopping:

• Know where to go. (ads from the paper may help guide you, or maybe you know of a specific neighborhood you like)
• Set a budget & stick to it.
• Know what things are worth TO YOU. It doesn’t matter what the seller might have paid for it last year. What do YOU consider a fair price?
• Inspect items carefully - there is no return policy
• Only buy what you have room for. (Don’t be like those scary folks on Hoarders. If you don’t have room to store it, and can’t use it now… don’t buy it. It’s that simple.)
• Be very careful of baby equiptment that looks rickety or dated. There could be a recall.

My Personal Rules for having my own Garage-Sale

• Pick a good location
• Price everything clearly (I just hate it when nothing is priced, and they say to "make an offer". I'm not much for bartering, so I usually just leave empty handed.)
• Price everything reasonably (So you paid $40 for that Nike running suit? Sorry, but nobody shopping at your sale cares. If you want more than a couple bucks for it now, sell it at a consignment shop.)
• Put an ad in the paper or post on Craigs List or similar on-line posting site. Be specific
• Put up signs (for those who don’t read the paper and don't go on-line)
• If you are selling anything that requires batteries or electricity... make some available so your customers can test items like radios or mechanical toys
  

Most importantly, whether you are selling or buying... remember to have fun, be polite and don't give up if you have one bad outing. Next week might just offer you the mother lode!

Crochet Class

The local public schools offer adult education classes on every topic imaginable. If you want to learn how to make cold process soap – there’s a class for that. Looking to learn self defense? How to research genealogy? Hone your Karate skills? They have classes for that.

Wendy (friend and co-worker) and I had discussed learning to crochet on several occasions. She mentioned recently that she’d bit the bullet and had signed up for a crochet class that would meet every Monday for eight weeks. It sounded like fun to me, (and honestly teaching myself was getting me nowhere!) so I signed up.

We meet in an English Lit class room at a local high school. We sit in those plastic chairs that have desks attached. In addition to Wendy and I, there are maybe five other ladies of various ages that attend. Our teacher (a fun gal who pulls no punches) rolls around on a wheeled office chair – coming to each of our desks in turn to review and critique our work so far.

Tonight was our third class.

In our first class we learned how to “Single Crochet”.

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In our second class we learned how to “Double Crochet”.

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Tonight we learned to “Triple Crochet”

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Next week we will tackle “Broomstick Crochet”

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… and I think we'll learn maybe one more stitch after that. The rest of the classes will be spent working on individual projects in the classroom (which we choose based on our comfort level and specific interests). Our teacher will roll from desk to desk to help each of us as we tackle these solo projects.

I have no idea what my first real project will be yet. So many options. Maybe a little blanket for Willie? That lap afghan I want to make for my Grandma? A scarf? Your thoughts? What would be the perfect first full size introductory project (using the new “skills” referenced above)?

Note: I’m using the term “skills” very loosely! And obviously, these are not pictures of my actual work. I will show you photos when I have some that are worthy of sharing. For now, you get images from Bing! Search.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking...

No, it's not Mother's Day. It's not her birthday either.... but it is a day when I wanted to remind my Mom just how much she means to me, and how very blessed I am to have her in my life.

My Mom is pretty awesome. She's always set a good example... even though I haven't always followed it. She always loves me... even when I probably don''t really deserve it. She's always kind... even in the face of unkindness. She is a woman of Faith, and Charity and Love. She is the one I go to when I need advice, support or a big hug.

She's the kind of Mom who (when we were kids) would sneak little notes in our bookbags or under our pillows... notes that said "You are Loved" or "You are Special". She still takes the time to make sure we know we are important to her... even though both my brother and I are all grown up, and she's no longer making our beds or our lunches.

That's just the kind of Mom I'm lucky enough to have. She's always there for me no matter what it is I need. This week she is the one with a need. She is facing some challenges and uncertainties and needs a little encouragement herself. If I were at her house today, I'd give her a big hug, tell her how much I love her and make her some tea. Maybe I'd tuck a little note under her tea cup that said "You are Loved".

I'm not there to give her the hug or the tea right now. What I can do is send her my love via snail mail and phone calls and even this blog. And I am praying too. Praying for guidance. Praying for strenth. Praying that my Mom will always know just how loved and appreciated she is. Just Praying....

Maybe, if you are also someone who prays, and are so inclined... you wouldn't mind saying one for her today too? Her name is Jenny. God knows all the other details.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Mom & Dad on my wedding day in 2007

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Mom & Willie last summer on vacation.

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When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
- Author Unknown

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight,
and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked...
and wanted to say thanks for all the things
I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.

I love you Mom!!!

The Envelope Please....

It’s no April Fools joke… I’ve actually received my first blogging award (how sweet is that?). I must say a humble thank you to the lovely and talented Crafty Helen for the honor. I'm very flattered that she thought of me.


By accepting this award, I am required to tell you 7 things about myself. After some pondering, I’ve come up with the below list…

1. I’m terrified of geese. A couple of those psychotic birds have chosen the entry way to the office where I work as their nest. If you walk too close, the male will hiss & charge with wings flapping! Horrible beasts!

2. I am a complete homebody. I love spending time with my fellas at home or visiting with my folks. I love to curl up on the sofa and craft or read. If I didn’t have an office job to go to, I might not leave the house for days…

3. I love, love, LOVE talk radio – my guiltiest pleasure is anything political! I’m a politics and news junkie (though this blog will remain a politics-free zone, I promise!)

4. I’m currently enrolled in a crochet beginner’s class! It’s put on by the local public school system. Two classes down so far (six to go). Loving it so far. Hoping to be “skilled” enough to finish an afghan by Christmas for my sweet Grandma B… assuming I can put aside all my other little projects long enough to do it, that is.

5. The Ultimate Comfort Food, for me, is a tall creamy milk shake and a giant order of hot greasy French fries.... mmmmmm

6. My first car was a 1979 Chevy Monza – I named her “Mona”. All of my cars have had names… after Mona, there was Myrtle (best car ever!) and then Lucy (horrible girl), followed by Isabella (lovely lady) and now I drive the strong and faithful Ethel.

7. When it was time for our sweet Willie to be born - he was in quite a hurry! The time that passed between my first contraction and my holding him in my arms was a whopping four hours and 15 minutes!

So enough about me.... Now it is my duty to pass this little award on to 7 very deserving bloggers...

I’ve chosen the following ladies (and their blogs) because they each write beautiful and uplifting posts about their lives, their families and their passions. They have wonderful stories, projects and photos to share with you, so if you have a few minutes… give them a visit.


These are truly "Beautiful Bloggers"...

The Ramblings of an Everyday Mummy
Coffee Tea, Books and Me
Contemplative Joy
Gumbo Lilly
Plain Ol Vanilla
Heart Shaped
A Vision Splendid

For the record… it was so very HARD to pick only seven! Check out my blogroll or the list of blogs I follow for even more wonderful blogtastic reading!