Determination

I usually try to make all of my grandkids activities so having 2 of them in another state has been hard for me.  I don't want to miss anything.  For those in this same situation,  you know what I mean. 

Everytime I visit Illinois I make sure  to go watch Makenzie at Gymnastics.   She
is one determined little girl and practices over and over again when learning something new.  I'm so proud of my baby granddaughter.  Keep in mind, she's only 4. 
                               
                                                          Sister's got skills.

It always helps when Mommy is your coach.

Her favorite part is a "lolli" for a job well done.

Just love this girl!

Thankful for:

502.  one last peppermint mocha frappuccino

503.  an unexpected gift in  my mail from my bff

504.  my baby girl getting a new job

505.  a cold  cool front coming through tonight

506.  sweetie picking up a repaired sunglass for me today

507.  my bff texting with me at 5:00 am (4:00 am her time)

because I couldn't sleep.

508.  Brody's chest x-ray showing no pneumonia

509.  light traffic on the way to work

510.  frozen pancakes for dinner

Multitudes on Mondays

                                                          




                             Joining Ann Voskamp 1000 gifts.



                      Hope you'll visit. Just click on Multitudes 
                                on Mondays picture above.


                      Remembering to be greatful in all things



I'm thankful for:


484.   healing after dealing with the flu, feeling better for a few days
          then having a sore throat for 10 days.         
485.  a much needed visit with my Illinois grandkids at Christmas time.

 486.  a wonderful dinner made by my sweetie and it was awesome.

487.  the 4 hours of snow before it melted.

488.  Paige for her thoughtful gift.  I'm loving the e-course "Creatively
         Made".
489.  my sister-in-law's quick healing from a burst appendix.
490.  blogging "friends".
491.  politicians who don't stoop to attack ads.
492.  long weekends.
493.  Florida days that are sunny and 60 degrees.
494.  journal writing.
495.  walking in his word.
496.  Dylan's movie night/sleep over last Friday.  Toy Story again.

497.  date night this week.
498.  a granddaughter who stays home to study for mid-terms  over the 
         weekend even though that's the last thing she would like to be doing.

  
499.  unexpected smiles from strangers.
500.  minors car problems when major ones were expected.
501.  God loving me in spite of myself.       

My First Project

I can't say enough about how much I'm enjoying the e-course, Creatively Made.  I just completed my first project.  It's a "Mixed Media Altered Journal".  I'm pretty okay with the finished product although if I were doing it again, I'd do a few things differently.  I guess that's why I need the classes.   I'm still finishing my vintage journal and hope to be done soon.

This is inside the cover. 

 I added a few watercolor pages along with quotes and favorite bible verses for interest throughout the journal.

I'm looking forward to week two of the class for our next projects.  The course is still open until tomorrow night.  Go over and visit Jeannie Oliver's blog.  You're gonna love it.

Creatively Made

The very talented Jeanne Oliver is hosting her very first e-course, Creatively Made.
I was so excited to find out that I was gifted a "place" in this course by Paige of
Simple Thoughts.  Thanks again so much Paige. 

This couldn't have come at a more perfect time as I'm "retiring" from my job of the
last 20 years in a few months.  I've been pondering ideas of what I want to do.  What do I really want to do in this stage of my life?  I love taking pictures, making things, baking, planning and hosting parties.  Basically create.   Even when I was a child whenever I thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, besides being a mother, I always aspired to be or do things in the creative fields.  An actress or singer (I definitely don't have the talent for that), a journalist, a children's book author, write for a magazine, party or wedding planner or an artist.   I've always loved those gifts that were homemade with love the most and they've always been my favorite to give so I hoping through this course to find out what my true gifts are in creating.

Even though this is the first week, I am  loving it so much already.  I can't wait to get started on my first project.

I encourage anyone who has been looking for their special gift to take a look at her blog to find out more information about classes.

 Oh, and she also sells really beautiful creations of her own.  She is so talented.


                                                    UPDATE
*Jeanne has just extended registration until January 16th *  January 16th*

Word of the Year

My word of the year is "Thankful". (thangk'fel) adj.  Showing or feeling gratitude:
greatful.  To express one's thanks to.  To give credit. 

I really began focusing on this word last year when I began participating in "Multitudes on Mondays".  I'm continuing this year by not only listing my gratitudes my making sure I show how thankful I am specifically to the giver.  Not just the giver of gifts but of kind words, services, a smile, a gesture ....    How many times have I thought back to a kind gesture or services with a smile, yet not spoken or written those words of gratitude to the giver.   A teacher who went out of her way to make you or your children feel
special, a kind neighbor who always has a wave or smile, the brewtista who welcomes you by name, the kind, elderly gentleman who always insists on walking your groceries out to the car.

I'll begin by making sure all my Christmas thank-you cards are mailed (some of mine
are a bit late going out) and my goal is to continue in everyday happenings.

And just because I hate to have a post without a picture, I'm thankful  for this funny sweet face.

Welcome 2012!

I was looking at the post I made at the beginning of January 2011.  I think I did a "slightly above average" job of accomplishing the changes I wanted to make in myself for the year.  I did fail miserably in one in particular.  Click here to see that list.

This year I've decided to be more specific so that I can hold myself accountable but with the blessed knowledge that I'm forgiven when I fall short.  So here goes, my list of resolutions for 2012.

* Read the entire bible.

* Nuture my relationship with my husband.

* Become more involved at church.

* Eat healthier.

* Exercise more (Goals:  Walk 6 hours a week and bike ride one hour a week.)

* Visit Ethiopia.

* Drink more water.

* Fund raise for a well somewhere in Africa.

* Get more sleep.

* Pray purposefully for my loved ones (family and friends).

* Pray everyday.

* Pray for those in need.

*  Read 12 books.

*  Attend a Christian Women's Conference. (already scheduled.  Yay!)
                 The Pearl Event II - The Double Strand.

*  Start a business with my husband.

*  Begin to learn the piano.

*  Make more time with my mom.

*  Visit my Dad.

*  Learn to sew.

*  Use my resources (time and money)  to bless others.

*  Join a bible study.

*  Be more organized.

*  Begin to learn another language.

*  Always be an encourager to others.

*  Show my gratitude to others.

*  Eat out less and plan menus.

*  Give more gifts from the heart (homemade).

*  Gift my kids and grandkids with more of my time rather than just gifts themselves.

*  Learn to take better pictures with my camera on settings other that auto and ISO.

I've listed quite alot of resolutions and I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can go.

Have a blessed New Year everyone!

My four favorite things about Christmas.

My Grandbabies!