Words

I love words! Anyone who knows me will tell you I can talk and do a mile a minute and if I am quiet, that is when you need to worry. I remember when I was in 7th or 8th grade, our teacher made a point to visit all students at home. When she advised my parents what a terrific and quiet student I was...my parents asked her if she was in the right home!

My oldest granddaughter has been tossing around words lately like:
Antidisestablishmentarianism, accoutrement & other words that someone in the 4th grade might know how to pronounce, but the meanings...so we discussed that if she was going to say the words, then she had to learn the meanings as well. I did after all!

I have always been one to use long words, but I use them in such a way that it is normal and most people who know me know it is a part of who I am. That and 3 college degree's and yes, I know some of you who really know me are laughing right now.

But, what about other words? I am a very honest, up front person. I say things as I see them and sometimes, I guess I get on peoples nerves. For that, if I offend you, tell me. I may not change my ways, but I will be more careful what I say around you.

I was born in New York, lived my life in Florida, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Missouri, Nevada, California, Arizona & Washington. That doesn't make me special, just a bit well traveled and more seasoned than people that have lived in the same place all their lives and never been anywhere. Oh yes, growing up I only wished we could have stayed put!

When we moved to Washington, it was a dream come true and many years of prayers answered. I wanted to come back to a place I felt comfortable in, where I could find a job and raise my grandchildren. However, I didn't realize moving to a small town we would be treated like true outsiders.

I tried volunteering for local charities and city governments since I had worked for a city for over 12 years & was told they couldn't use the help. I have applied for many jobs and was even told by one company I wasn't qualified to be a receptionist. Of course my reply was,' hmmm, 12 years as a police dispatcher answering telephones and training others to answer them and now working as a teacher & you say I can't answer phones.'

Lots of other jobs have come & gone. We have gone to school plays, recitals, etc. where we are basically ignored while the locals gather together. For me it is no biggie for my grands, it hurts them.

Not everyone is this way. My good friend accepted us right away. Ray, our 94 year old neighbor (we miss him very much) accepted us, other neighbors, teachers. This town is great for raising children so they can be children.

However, this town does not want to move forward and it is something that I need to accept or learn to shut my mouth over as my friend told me last night. 'I love ya but your constant putting this town down irks me.'

I listened to her with an open mind and then we talked about seeing things from anothers perspective. Come into the first 3 towns and what do you see I asked her...'clean streets (this is HUGE), no pan handlers, businesses that are open and people that are smiling.'

Now, come into our town and what do you see? She was beginning to understand what I was seeing & feeling. I don't hate this place I said, I enjoy the beauty, the peacefulness, the fact my grandchildren are happy. But I don't like the depression in this town and many people feel it. She agreed.

So, when I was done, I understood her point and will keep my opinions to myself and she understood my feelings. That is what words are about...conveying a message that all people can understand. Even if that means, keeping silent to keep a friendship.

For Those Technologically Challenged Moms...Like Me

Day 30 -Last Day- Someone I Miss

My mom and dad. My mom passed away in February 2010 of breast cancer. She was amazingly brave in the end and always told me how much she loved me. I miss her everyday and wish she were back so I could make up some really rotten things I did growing up....well, maybe she chalked it up to being a kid, but I miss my mom!

My dad passed away from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Mothers day 2010. It has been odd because my parents divorced when I was 6....I saw my dad 3 times between 6 & 50, I really never knew him....and yet, I feel like an orphan many times.

I couldn't attend his funeral, we didn't have the money and I guess perhaps it was good I didn't as his obituary didn't mention any of his 4 children, just his 2 youngest children, however, I still find myself wondering who he was at times.

I am the tall skinny chick modeling the crop top years before they were called crop tops. My brother is the handsome tyke standing next to me and my sister Kate is the one in my moms arm.

The 30 day photo challenge is over and I hope I shared a bit more of myself with you and you enjoyed a look at my life!

My Latest Apron

Since I am staying home more and have since 2007, I absolutely love being involved in Shawnee and Val's apron swaps. This is my latest apron, our theme was spring and my fav color is purple. I love the pockets in the front! Here is the reversed side. Karen was my partner and she outdid herself in this area.


The packages before I opened each one. I love the magnetic list pad and it will brighten up my fridge!

The earrings came in an adorable little pouch!

The colors in these little hand towels match the apron and I placed them in my bathroom, they match the purple walls perfectly.

I had a wonderful time and I hope my swap partner enjoys the package I sent her...

Quilt Top B lessings

Oh my, yesterday was mail blessings galore. First, I received my apron swap package that was just beautiful and amazing and I will post that later today, however, my camera batteries died.

I also received a box of quilt tops that my wonderful blog reader Dayna Williamson blessed me with and just at the time when I will be needing to make baby quilts for tornado victims. All I need to do is add the batting and backing and will probably take a drive to my local quilt store today to see if perhaps they have any flannel for these adorable quilts.

There are 2 frog quilts, 2 Mother Goose quilts, the dogs & the farm animals and they are actually raised Chenille and just amazingly sewn and I can't wait to finish them and bless someone else.

Thank you Dayna for always blessing me so I can bless others. God will richly bless you in return!

Now, to get the backs and sit down at the beautiful sewing machine Dayna sent me for Christmas & have some fun!

A Picture That Can Always Make Me Smile - Day 29

Well, the 30 day photo challenge will be over tomorrow and I hope everyone has learned a bit more about me. My love for my family, my fear of spiders...etc.

This picture always makes me laugh because the look on her face shows she knew she was doing something wrong but how on earth that piece of paper stuck to her head is a mystery and I am told it stayed there for awhile, she never even knew it.

It is just the look on her face and as pictures scroll across my computer during the day, this one always makes me chuckle!

How To Wait On The Lord.....

I am not now, nor have I ever been, nor will I probably ever be patient...I think that is what makes me so unique in how I respond to things and why I get them done in the way I do and why people come to me for help. The fact is, I jump in with both feet running.

Soooooooooooo, you can imagine with just that teeny bit of information, I am not always good at waiting...anywhere or anytime, I do wait when I have to, but I am just not really good at it. That is why I take my hand quilting or Bible with me to occupy my time.

I had the opportunity to test for a local law enforcement agency as a 911 operator a few weeks ago and I sat on egg shells until I received the passing grade. I knew there were a few positions open where I wanted to work and believed my experience in the field as both operator and trainer would have garnered me an interview.

We were advised in my testing group to expect a call within a week. Sadly for me, that call has not come in. Soooooooooooooo, I applied for another agency over the week-end and am truly hoping something or someone will call me before the end of the week.

So, how do I wait on the Lord?

1- Keep busy...cleaning, quilting, cooking, blogging
2-Don't jump to the phone every time it rings...if it is important, they will leave a message.
3-Pray & read the bible on patience passages
4-Pray and ask for patience.
5-Keep occupied
6-Try not to let the silence get to me
7-Try to understand God may have other plans for my family and I & even though we could really use the income
8-Smile a lot and tell people everything will be okay (it will be and I know it)
9-Give my family special times with me because I am not working
10-Pray, pray and pray some more

I know I need to be patient, I understand God has my families best interest at heart, but it is sometimes hard to grasp when I have worked all of my life and can't find permanent work. I love my work from home job for supplementing our income, but I wouldn't be able to support our family on it if something happened to my husband!

Sometimes, I want to stand on the corner with a huge neon sign and say, I can't find work, please help....if people are willing to give their money away to the addicts on the streets, perhaps someone would show compassion and give me a job.....then again, I know to many people in this town and I would be so embarrassed!

So today, when you pray, please pray that God grants me grace and patience!

#28 Photo Challenge - Something I Am Afraid Of....

Think the pictures and song says it all!

We lived in Arizona for 22 years and during that time I saw lots of Wolf Spiders, Vinagaroons (look it up), Scorpions, Black Widow Spiders and some odd looking snakes that were non-poisonous.

I saw one side winder after my son killed it and the spring of 2006 we were at a NASCAR race when my husband saw something go across the road from our camp & by the time we walked to where it was, there was several Sheriff's officers, track official and campers.

It was a rattlesnake and it had coiled itself around a shrub. First one I had ever seen up close & the last one I ever hope to see. I will never forget the sound of those rattles.

Day 27 -Photo Challege- Myself and A Family Member

This is my youngest grandchild and youngest grandson.

I have 11 grandchildren that equal 8 grand daughters and 3 grand sons.

Considering I had 5 sons and never wanted a little girl because I knew the silly stuff I put my parents through as a teen and all the drama & I didn't want that.

So, now the boys are seriously outnumbered and this little angel is just a doll!