Playing in the Garden...

Sunday was such a beautiful day here in Ohio. Sunny with a little breeze and temperatures in the low 70s. Spending time soaking up some Vitamin D and working on my garden and with my flowers seemed like the perfect plan. 

My garden is 15' x 40'. This year I planted a few varieties of onions, peppers and tomatoes. Along with cucumbers, a zucchini plant, a couple rows of beans and peas and some Yukon gold potatoes. Things are starting to come in nicely.  Added some metal lattes for the cucumbers to cling to. Even though they are bush I want to keep them contained a little bit.

 

We have added some grape vines. My in-laws are from Croatia and grow beautiful grapes. And make delicious wine 😉 Super excited to see how they do.

Our house came with a built in fountain. The water to it still  works but time has done a number on the concrete. For a few years I have wanted to grow sunflowers in it. They are my favorite flower. I cleaned out the outer ring (thinking about some blue crystals with epoxy going in there), added some manure to the center and planted my seeds. 🌻 We have added a few chestnut and plum trees. 

 

These salmon and yellow flowers flanking my office are just beautiful. 

The hydrangea started as a gift from my Aunt and just thrive in this flower bed. They have tripled in size. I added a second one last year along with the hosta.

I think God was pleased with my efforts today and blessed me with this gorgeous evening sky.

 

Chicken wranglin'...

I have owned chickens for years and thoroughly enjoy them. Unfortunately, at also means an ongoing struggle with predators. Namely, raccoons!

We built a hen house with a chain link chicken yard, in which they are safe. I like to let them free-range during the day and lock them back up at night. Early spring they began to migrate to roosting in the barn at night. This is not a safe location! Long story short my beautiful flock of 6 ducks and 30+ chickens quickly was reduced to no ducks, one rooster and 5 hens.

Thankfully Sylvia has survived. She is a beautiful silver Araucana who lays green eggs. The only way we would keep the remaining chickens alive was to get them roosting back in the secure hen house. Which would require catching them and keeping them "locked up" for a week or so to retrain them.

I have found the easiest way to capture them is with a fishing net. My first attempt was Sylvia but while I was trying to get her out of the net Mr. Roo came to her rescue. Which quickly prompted me to bring hubby in to help. We were able to capture all of them and they are now safely locked up.

While we didn't get any pictures my barn cam captured a couple funny videos. When you watch keep an eye on Mr. Roo, he is the giant black chicken.

Finding a balance in 2012...

As most people these days, I'm always running in many different directions. Wether it's school functions, work or household chores...it always seems there's more to do than time permits. It's no wonder we live in a depressed obese world. I am committed to finding a balance for my world in 2012. That does not mean my life is going to as seemingly organized and mello as Martha Stewart's...but more than it is right now.

I've made a mental list of the things that are on the top of my priority list. My family, my business and my physical fitness. I believe the first thing I need to do is get organized! Yes, easier said than done...but necessary. I am calmer and more efficient when I know where I'm going, when, with who and have what I need to take with me. It's very upsetting to me to spend time looking for things that where "right there" and forgetting things when I'm too far from home to return for them. I like being ready for meetings and events. And the things I hate the most is forgetting a school function...i.e. picture day...GRRR.

If you were to look at the blogs I follow or my Pinterest account you would see I follow a lot of "foodie" blogs and organizing blogs. One my favorites is "Ask Anna". She is giving me (and hopefully you) the kick in the pants to get started. She has set up a 14 day cleaning plan to help us have sparkling homes. I can tell you from experience, once you get one area clean it's like an addiction...you want them ALL clean. Here's Anna's link if you want to join us. Day 1 is taking down and putting away all of the Christmas decorations. My addition would be to donate any unused decorations to a local shelter.

Another blog I enjoy that has many many homemade cleaners is One Good Thing by Jillee Oh the money you will save!  Not only on cleaners, but being able to "save" items from the trash because you will be able to get out the stains or repair it.

So join me, won't you! Let's get organized and find a balance in 2012. Let's get happier and healthier and enjoy everyday...because as I always say...each day is a gift!

What a fun night...

My children are 5 1/2 years apart in age. While it has some advantages, mostly financial...time between drivers licenses, prom and college to name a few. It also has some disadvantages. And one of those disadvantages is the fact that they never got to march together in the band. Mo graduated in the spring of 2010 and Jon was able to join the marchers in the fall of 2010.

Well tonight it all changed! Our band director had an alumni night. First I must tell you it made daughter a bit sad when she realized she is now in the "alumni" category. She was no excited! About 25 or so alumni participated, ranging in age from just graduated to Mom's of band kids who have graduated! It was pretty cool.

Jon plays mellophone/french horn and Mo plays clarinet and was field commander for her Junior and Senior years. Her good friend Tina, a fellow commander, also joined in on the festivities!

They played God Bless America, Star Wars theme and Land of a Thousand Dances...and countless stand tunes. They danced and laughed and just enjoyed the entire experience.

  

My Mom was able to join in on the fun and I left the concession stand (gasp) to watch them perform pre-game and half time. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

FYI -- I realized tonight that I have been a Band Booster officer for 6 years!

A first for me...

What an amazing day it's been! Several weeks ago my friend, Teresa, mentioned they had started kayaking. I was so curious and was hoping she would take me with her one day. Well TODAY was that day. Teresa, Jacquie and I headed to a local lake and enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous summer day!

We have all been friends for years and years. We live within 15 minutes of each other but (sadly) do not take the time, make the time, to do things together. We each have 2 children, one of each with the oldest being a daughter.

  

We were sooo excited to get together and do something adventurous and physical. Teresa brought all of the equipment; kayaks, paddles, life vests and waterproof/floating cases for our phones. When we first got in the kayaks you felt really wobbly. But in no time at all I was very comfortable and stable.

We paddled up one side of the lake and back down the other. Teresa wanted to show us this lovely house with a beautiful waterfall. I was amazed at just how pretty it was. All of the houses lining Guilford lake are set up for relaxation...lawn chairs, big decks and fire pits...ahhh!

When we got close to the beach area we noticed a ball floating in the water. Teresa sped up ahead (that girl can fly when she wants to) unfortunately she overshot the ball and her wake sent the ball to the docks. She paddled to the shore and tried to retrieve it with her paddle. It made a quick retreat under a pontoon boat.

On our way back of the other side of the lake we stopped at Mark's Landing for lunch. We "parked" our kayaks between the boulder riddled shore and the docks. Getting back in is the hardest part...that's when it feels the most "tippy". I was holding mine next to the dock to allow the other ladies room to maneuver and decided I could probably jump in mine with no problem...so I did! The girls looked at me with wide eyes and just started laughing...yep Good times!

For the ending to a perfect day we paddled down by the damn and over to see the geese. The were fine with us until we got too close.

Comfort...

This post will have very few photos. While I love to look at pics from other blogs...I want you to "see" the pics in your mind.

What brings you comfort? That kind of comfort that makes you sigh and calms your soul. Makes all the days worries and stesses fade away. All is right with the world....if only for a few moments.

Is it in the evening when the chores are done and your family has settled in for an evening of television and nummies (snacks)?

Is it watching your children sleep peacefully?

Is it sharing time with your aging Mama?

Staring at a camp fire on a cool summer evening?

Rolling over to snuggle with your honey?

One of the things I have always loved is....water! On a sweltering, hot, humid day to feel the cool water of a shower wash over your body,,,ahhh pure relaxation. On a cold winter morning, feeling the steaming shower warm your body...you know the kind when you don't want to turn off the shower. The local pool for the kids on a steamy summer day!

But my favorite water is night time water. Picture a backyard pool or spa with the blue lights glowing. The steam rolling on the waters surface. Your on the lake and the full moon is shimmering across the water as the sound of little waves lap against the boat. Or if you are on the river to see the skyline reflected on the water. Ahhh night time water is definitely my favorite.

My dream is to have a lap pool/hot tub out back. To end my day relaxing in a swirling tub, the cool night air washing over my skin as the days stresses float away...now that is a little piece of heaven...right here on earth!

Cleanliness is next to Godliness...

I have always enjoyed being neat and organized. When I was a little girl I would play with my toys and put them back in their box...every time! A good example was my set of Peanuts gang finger puppets. When I was done with them I would put them back in their little holders, in order, and put them away.

After I had a family I became overwhelmed with trying to get and, more importantly, stay organized. Blogland has been a big help! Offering inspiration and ideas. Caroline over at The Feminist Housewife has been offering inspiration with a "What's in Your Fridge?" linking party.

My fridge was driving me crazy! So while Doug was putting in my new floor I decided to thoroughly clean my refrigerator. WOW!!! What a difference. And I have maintained it...for the most part...for a couple weeks. I think I could get addicted to everything being neat, clean and organized.

New floors (Part 2)...

It is finally finished! The flooring "project" throughout the living room and dining room. And what a project it was! I'm sure it has something to do with me. You see, I'm like a dog with a bone...can't stop until it's finished. Everything else goes on hold when I'm in the middle of a project.

Because of our schedules on the weekend, my son and I tore out the old nasty dirty carpet on Thursday. The new beautiful clean carpet was being installed the following Monday. Let me tell ya...walking on this icky bare floor for 3 days nearly drove me bonkers. I wore shoes ALOT (a big no no in my house). When we pulled the carpet off of the stairs you could see three distinct colors. In the crease was the original color of the carpet. On the rise of the stairs was what it had faded to over the years. And on the tread was the gross part from two decades of people and pets walking on it.

We had considered leaving the stairs exposed. I think they are beautiful! But to appreciate them I would've had to strip the paint on the sides and refinish the treads, something I am just not up to right now. They are still waiting under the soft carpet for their day to shine...and I'm sure someday they will.

I have to say it was cool to see the outline where, at one time, there had been an area rug. They had painted the perimeter black. I could picture the rocking chairs and couch pulled up to the rug around the fireplace with the radio crackling in tempo with the fire. My house is over 90 years old...it's seen alot of changed in its lifetime.

We had to have the living room completely empty by the time Dowd Floors came to install on Monday morning. We had dispersed all the small stuff throughout my office and the kids rooms. The big stuff HAD to fit in the dining room. Well...it fit...kinda!

It is amazing the difference with the new carpet. My living room looks HUGE! The measurement of my room is reminiscent of a bowling alley, 12' x 23', with two focal points (TV & fireplace). We are a very active family with many hobbies. i.e. hunting/shooting, racing, crafting, music to name a few. This can present a challenge when trying to fit everything into an 1200 sq ft house. But I'm getting there. Since the new carpet has been installed I've been organizing everything...even the shotgun shells!

I have plans to paint the living room a sand color and re-paint the trim white...the chips need to go bye-bye. But for now I'm going to bask in the clean comfort of my "new" living room and dining room. You are welcome to stop by to see it in person...just remember to take your shoes off.

We need to slow this train down...

Running, running, running....we all seem to be moving at a break-neck pace trying to fit it all in, get it all done. The rat-race! Laundry to do, sweeper needs run, grass needs cut, bills need paid, baseball games, track, soccer, deadlines at work...blah, blah, blah!!! There's always more to do, not enough money to do it with and not nearly enough time to do it in. How often we put off doing what we WANT to do because there are so many things we NEED to do?! So often the things that get pushed to the back burner are the most important things...enjoying the company of friends, spending time talking with your children, having a relaxing glass of wine with your spouse. Why is that? It's so sad. We always feel so much better when we take the time for these soul renewing activities.

When we see the devastation of the tornados in the south we feel bad for the people and are aw struck by the devastation. But it feels like another news story. We (sadly) have become desensitized by all of the pictures and video we see on TV. The line between truth and fiction becomes blurred.

In blogland that line is very clear. The devastation and pictures and stories are very real. So many of our neighbors are hurting right now...homes and jobs destroyed, lives lost. Amy over at Homestead Revival has put up a post about some of her friends facing unfathomable crisis. Amy hosts a barn hop regularly and on Sunday I read this pretty post, sadly this is the post I read today about the very same family.

Life can change in an instant...TAKE THE TIME...FIND THE TIME...MAKE THE TIME!!!

A dear friend of mine wrote this "note" on her facebook, and with her permission, I would like to share it with you. It is long...but worth the read. God Bless Everyone!

I awoke on Saturday before Easter with an AGENDA. You all know what I am talking about. The AGENDA. The one that has a schedule to it and you are approaching it with the "do or die" attitude. Yep, it was that kind of agenda. I had even created the AGENDA on Friday after my Friday agenda got blown out of the water. Well, not really. I had a loosely made agenda for Friday. I was commited to completing a project for someone and really needed to complete it by Friday, so that took precedence over other tasks. My task that I had hoped to complete on Friday was the grocery store. Sounds simple enough but, you know how the grocery store is on the days before a major holiday. I had already waited in a long, long line on Thursday buying Easter candy at Gorant's. I was not looking forward to the grocery store. So, the plan was Friday: grocery store. Saturday: clean the house in the AM while hubby was at work. Then, complete last minute details for Sunday. No big gathering on Sunday planned, just all my kids, son in law, grandboys and perhaps my son's girlfriends. No stress.


Well, Friday did not work out how I had planned. After completing the very physically demanding project on Friday, I went home to get cleaned up and go to grocery store. It was 3:00 PM by then and I was exhausted. Let me add, that I was going on about four hours of bad sleep from the night before. So, laziness or procrastination took over and I put the grocery store off for Saturday. I rationalized, "how bad could it be?". This is when my resolve hardened and I formulated the AGENDA. I vowed to myself to get up early Saturday morning, get to the grocery store and get done before it got busy, go home, clean the house and be done by say 4:00 or so and have the rest of the day to kick back with the hubby. Good. Done. AGENDA in place. Resolve: firm.

Husband came home on Friday evening and as we ate dinner together he began to tell me about one of his patients at the Hospice House. Nothing unusual about this patient or him telling me about his day. As his story continued, he began to fill me in on how many things he and this patient had in common. The patient was a gentleman, eighty years old, or close to it, who had had a variety of interests all his life (anyone who knows my husband will attest to his never ending spirit of diving into "something new" ). This gentleman now lay at Hospice House, after what sounded like a long and full life, slowly approaching the end of his life, no longer really able to communicate other than an occasional monosyllable. All the details of this gentleman's life had been relayed to my husband by this gentleman's wife, who now stayed at his side basically day and night. My husband talked about this woman and how delightful she was, how very sharp mentally she still was, despite the fact that she herself, was approaching the eighty mark. My husband had said he found himself spending a lot of time talking to her and that he had, of course, told her about himself, and me, and our family. It is at this point that my AGENDA came under attack ! He said I didn't have to but, that it would be really nice if I would go to Hospice House on Saturday and visit with this woman. (He has asked that of me only on a very few occasions.) He said he thought I would thoroughly enjoy getting to know her a little and it would do her a great deal of good. I tried to hide my panic. I did, I tried to hide my internal struggle. How could I possibly comply with his request and still stay true to my AGENDA ? Well, I guess I didn't hide it too well because he sensed my hesitant answer and said, "It's ok. You don't have to if you don't want to." Ah ha ! my out ! However, I have never been good at saying "No" to him, especially, on something he seemed so touched by so, I think I begrudgingly mumbled a "Yea, ok, maybe tomorrow morning." Now what ? Okay, some adjusting of the AGENDA. I will get up early, really early. Like 7:00 AM, go directly to grocery store, stop by Hospice House for a few minutes (my thought process being that this woman is close to eighty so, probably, a little slow to respond, quick in and out to make hubby happy and I will be home free, AGENDA still intact).

Awoke Saturday morning at 8:00 AM. Not a good start. That's ok. Regroup. Stick to AGENDA. Got dressed and headed out. Adjust the AGENDA. Stop at Hospice House first and then grocery store. Driving. Thinking. You know, you should stop and get something for all the nurses and staff who are working this weekend. Ok. Quick drive to Gorant's for chocolate. Wait. Need soemthing to put candy in. Turn here. Go to Dollar General for some inexpensive Easter baskets to put candy in. Ok back in car. Over to Gorant's. Aaarrrghhh ! Long line again. Here, just do it. Two of these, four of these, etc. good, done. Wait in line. Checked out. Jump in car. Fix baskets complete with that stupid Easter grass which is now all over my car. Clean up later. Driving. Hospice House. OK, deep breath. This will take a few minutes and you will be back on task.

I walk in and search out my husband. He smiles, delighted to see me. Why does his smile still make me melt inside after all these years? Everyone greets me warmly. Nurses dive into chocolates. Good, they deserve to enjoy a small moment. Husband takes me back to kitchen staff who, just that morning, made him a delicious breakfast. I thank them for taking care of him for me. Feeling calm inside now. For a few moments, the AGENDA has slid slightly off the forefront of my mind. He walks me down the hall to the woman and her dying husband that I am there to meet and visit. Apprehension. This is going to be difficult and awkward. What do I say ? AGENDA pops back up. Just stay a few minutes. Make your husband happy and you will be done.

We walk into the quiet of the room. The patient lies peacefully in bed, unresponsive to my presence. His wife sits in a chair near his bed. Just what I expected. An older woman who looks at me somewhat cautiously. She's probably thinking, Great ! now who's this ? We are introduced and her face lights up. We begin to talk. Whoa ! this is not your typical "pushing eighty" individual. The conversation between us is lively! We talk, as all women do, about their husbands, their children,their grandchildren, their life's work, their Mom's, their pets (this couple also has a SharPei, and has owned one in the past ) and common ground is found in each of these subjects. Before I know it, I have spent close to an hour with her and would have probably sat longer had an aide not interrupted us. I got up and told her, in true sincerity, what a delight it had been to meet her. She hugged me and thanked me for visiting. I left the room feeling like I had made a new friend. I prayed that God would give her the strength to face the ordeal that lie ahead. Burying her partner of sixty years that she obviously, loved so much. I caught up with my husband in the hall. He saw all he had to see in my eyes. I told you, he said, she's amazing for her age, isn't she? He walked me to my car, kissed me. I was grateful for that kiss. We have shared many such kisses since he went to work at Hospice House. Both of us more grateful than ever, that for today, at this moment, we are not facing what the couple we just left are facing. Grateful to have precious time still left together.

I begin to drive away. I see him wave at me in my rearview mirror. I smile. By the end of the driveway, it returns ! The AGENDA. Oh my gosh ! It is 11:30 AM ! Ok. Regroup. Head directly to grocery store, this Agenda can still be salvaged.I drive with a vengeance toward the grocery store and decide at the last minute to stop by my daughter's house and see if there is anything we need for dinner tomorrow that I have not thought of. She is making the ham. Squeal to a stop in her drive. No one home. Ok. Back in car. Grocery store I want to go to, five minutes away. I turn the corner. Damn. I need to stop at my niece's house to pick up kolachi she made. Really? How bad do you want kolachi? Stop. She will be hurt if you don't and she makes the best kolachi you have ever tasted ! It will only take a second, then, on my way. I stop. She and her husband- to- be are delighted, as always, to see me. The talk turns to their upcoming summer wedding. Planning this wedding has been fraught with many issues. I want to leave but feel the need to listen to them and I give what I hope is some good advice. We talk for a good forty five minutes. As I leave, my niece leans in my window and kisses me on the cheek and says, "Thank You". A gift.

It is now 12:47. I cannot believe it ! I am starting to panic ! The AGENDA is getting angry at me and starting to send me into a full fledged panic. Must go. Must get this done. I head to the grocery store. I am approaching the turn to the main road. A text rom my daughter." I saw you around the corner at cousin's house, please come and see us." BIG SIGH ! OK, just stop quickly and go over detail's for dinner. You were going to do that anyway. Turn back, into their drive. Jump out. Go in house. Greeted by dogs. My oldest grandson, in his room, taking a nap. The new grandson, in his mother's arms. Son-in-law, folding laundry. Go over details and getting ready to leave. Good, Didn't even take my coat off ! I'm free. Hand on front door handle, getting ready to leave, when a small voice from the the bedroom is heard, "Up" "Up". It is my oldest grandson. I am dead in the water. Can't leave without seeing him. I take off my coat and go into kitchen to wash my hands. He comes tearing around the corner and hugs my legs. "Mimi" he says. I grab him up and hug him. He smiles. "Why aren't you asleep?" I ask. He says "Down". I put him down and he points to refrigerator. "Mick" "Mick". His version of "milk". Do you want Mimi to make you some warm milk? He smiles, "Peez". Ok, I reply. He then runs from the kitchen saying "Muse" Muse" and entreats me to follow. He takes me to his bedroom and points to a CD player. I am confused for a moment. Then it hits. "Would you like me to make you warm milk and rock you while we listen to our music?" The all to familiar "unh" that passes for his yes and the huge smile on his face and dancing glee in his eyes, gives me the answer that I expected.

Ever since he was born and I have watched him, he has let me rock him to sleep while we listen to soft, instrumental music. He is big now. Big for a two year old. According to the pediatrician, as big as an average three year old. I gather him up in my arms, complete with warm milk, a nice soft blanket, music playing. He faces away from me, his legs stretched out on top of mine that are resting on the ottoman that also rocks and we begin our ritual of drifting off to sleep.I stroke his hair for a few minutes. Milk is now gone. Set the cup on the floor. All the while never interrupting our gentle back and forth motion. His hands come up to either side of his face. Aaahh ! the sign. He's seconds from being sound asleep. I feel his little body completely relax. I note the slow deep beathing of his innocent sleep. I pause, giving him a few minutes to realy go deep alseep. I gently turn him over on his back in my arms and I stare down at his angelic little face. I get the same feeling every time I look at him like this. He is so beautiful, it hurts. I want the moment to last forever. I look at him and tell him I love him and though, he will never remember warm "mick" and "muse", I will take this memory to eternity with me. I gently place him in his crib, place the covers just so, as only a "Mimi" would do and quietly leave the room. His Dad laughs, "He doesn't let anyone rock him to sleep but you". It's "our" thing I guess.

I leave. It is now 3:30 PM Saturday afternoon. AGENDA has been stomped, shredded, burnt and buried. I am too tired to even fight to try and make it work. Oh well, off to grocery store to fight the craziness and wait in line forever just trying to get checked out. I am calm now. How can you rock a two year old to sleep and not be calm ? I enter the parking lot of grocery store and surprisingly enough, it is not too bad. I walk in with list in hand and miraculously, am out and headed back home in under an hour !

By 9:30 PM all tasks on the AGENDA have been completed. I am exhausted but manage to take a nice warm bath and play cards with my husband until almost midnight. As I lay in bed and drift towards sleep, I review the day. I wonder how many times in my life have I stuck to the all important AGENDA and missed out on all the great moments that I experienced today ? How many times do our lives get eaten up by the necessary tasks of everyday living and yet rob us of that which is most important. I ended my day with a simple prayer:

God, Thank you for gently tapping me on the head today and quietly saying, "Take it all in stride". There truly is a "time for every purpose" just like you said. Thank you for letting me make a new friend, connect with family, feel the love and trust of my grandchild.Thank you for all these precious gifts that I would have missed had you not used my inner voice to intercede in my AGENDA. Thank you for making me realize that while their are many times where we must commit our time to make our everyday lives on this earth work , that if we listen when you speak to us, that you will show us a glimpse of heaven."

I don't think I will ever make another list, schedule or all important agenda without thinking of this day and remembering just how precious time really is.

"and on the seventh day" He gave me another gift. He gave me a nap and a wonderful Easter evening surrounded by my husband, all my children, my grandsons, my son in law and my son's girlfriend. We ate good food, we laughed, we played cards and thoroughly enjoyed oursleves. The AGENDA? What agenda?

Do you know what today is?...

Everyone knows what Sunday is...Easter. But do you know what today is? It's Maundy Thursday! I'm sure many of you are still wondering what today is. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified. In contrast to joyful Easter celebrations when we worship ourresurrected Savior, Maundy Thursday services are typically more solemn occasions, marked by the shadow of Jesus' betrayal.

Before the Passover meal, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. By performing this lowly act of service, the Bible says in John 13:1 that Jesus "showed them the full extent of his love." By his example, Jesus demonstrated how we are to love one another through humble service. While I don't see any of us washing our neighbors feet I think we could do a much better job loving one another.

We can serve him better in small ways as well as big. From holding the door for a stranger to visiting someone in a nursing home. When your making dinner this week, double the recipe and take one to your neighbor, I guarantee they will smile and you will feel good. Bake a batch of cookies and send it to school with your child or grandchild, just because. Smile at the cashier and say "Hello"! It doesn't have to cost a lot or take much time, nor does it have to be a national holiday.

Celebrate the gift we are all Blessed with...LIFE!

Spring cleaning - Day #1...

And so it has begun...spring cleaning. Although it was difficult getting started today because it's colder here in northeast Ohio, only about 43°F. While I would like to say I scrubbed the dining room from top to bottom...that would be a lie :( I started by organizing and cleaning my china cabinets (a free standing hutch and a built-in china cabinet). The older I get the easier it seems to part with the things I don't love! I removed everything from both, washed all the glassware, shined the glass doors and polished the woodwork.

Thanks to several blogs I follow I have been cleaning out and organizing closets and cabinets off and on for the past month. Our local charity loves when I start clearing out...they are the recipient of my castoffs (as long as they are still usable items). I love opening a cupboard when everything is sparkling and in its place...makes it so much easier to put things back when they have a place.

It can be soooo difficult getting started. When I'm having a rough time getting motivated I aim for getting one small part done. By the time I stop I usually have 3 or 4 "projects" completed. Unfortunately, I also come up with 4 or 5 more while I'm working that need added to the list. My husband would be the first one to tell you my brain never stops and my list is perpetually never ending!

How are you doing on your spring cleaning? What is your favorite part? Least favorite?

Me from A-Z...

I'm playing along with Spend the Thyme Farm.

Won't you play along too?

A. Age: 41
B. Bed size: Queen
C. Chore you dislike: Putting clothes away!
D. Dogs: An almost 2 year old chow mix who's way too needy and way too hairy, but we love her.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee with cream & sugar and a hot shower.

F. Favorite color: Blue
G. Gold or silver: Gold
H. Height: 5' 5 1/2"

I. Instruments you play(ed): Clarinet in high school.
J. Job title: Wife, Mom, Small Business Owner
K. Kids: 2 great kids, 1 girl, 1 boy

L. Live: Farmlife with 2 horses, 8 chickens & 3 geese
M. Mom’s name: Darlene
N. Nicknames: Cara
O. Overnight hospital stays: Just for childbirth

P. Pet peeves: People not putting things back where they belong, liars and crazy drivers

Q. Quote from a movie: “You think I'm pretty, you want to kiss me!" Sandra Bullock, Miss Congeniality
R. Righty or lefty: Righty.

S. Siblings: Two halves no wholes
T. Time you wake up: 5:30

U. Underwear: Of course!
V. Vegetables you don’t like: Okra
W.What makes you run late: Trying to do too many chores in too little time
X. X-rays you’ve had: X-ray of elbow when I broke it and way too many "tooth" x-rays
Y. Yummy food you make: EVERYTHING!
Z. Zoo animal favorites: Polar Bear, Tiger and Giraffe
Your turn :)

The Contrasts of Winter....

Here in northeastern Ohio, as in so many parts of America this year, we have been hit with winter storm after winter storm. We've had inches of ice, face numbing wind and countless inches (feet) of snow.

Giant puffy beautiful flakes slowly falling to blanket the earth. While we are nestled in the house with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a good book. Christmas lights glowing from under that icy blanket. Or a babbling stream as the snow begans to fade into Spring. These are the images we enjoy about winter. Children with rosy cheeks screaming happily as they fly down the neighborhood hill...yep winter can be invigorating and exciting. Horse drawn sleigh rides through central park...ahhh.

Then there is the side of winter that we are not so fond of. As our kids are home for their 7th snow day not to mention countless 2-hour delays everyone has had enough of 'old man winter'. The slush, the icy roads, leaving an hour early for a trip that usually takes ten minutes...ENOUGH ALREADY!!! Did I mention the endless snow shoveling! Who needs the gym?! The kids are ready to ride their bicycles and ride in the car with the windows down, hubby is ready to drag race and I am ready to not have to wear a coat (something I loath). Is sunny and 65° with a warm breeze too much to ask? I don't think so!

In summation...I still LOVE living in the beautiful state of Ohio. I still love the changing seasons and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Although I wouldn't mind visiting sunny Hawaii about now!!!

Stay warm and be safe everybody!!

Household Notebook...

I have been promising the last two post to show you my Household Notebook (HN). Well today is finally the day!! I started keeping a HN several years ago at the advice of Flylady but it was too overwhelming...I spent more time taking care of the notebook than my actual house. However there were several parts of it I incorporated into my everyday...especially the Financial portion.

For todays post I cleaned out my current HN, updated the tabs and added a prettier cover. There are eight tabs in my binder and they are: Calendar, Contacts, Finance, Menus, Projects/Cleaning, Health & Fitness, Printables and Holiday. I will give you a brief explanation of each.

Calendar--Pretty straight forward. I used word to make up a 2-page 2011 calendar. There's never enough room to right for me and I included a column for notes down the right side.  The greatest part of making your own is YOU customize it to your needs.

Contacts--I still keep an address book. This tab is for numbers I keep for future reference...mostly professional type contacts. i.e. veterinarian, piano tuner, school numbers, etc...

Menus--I am a big advocate of menu planning. Wether its a few days, a week or an entire month. Whatever suits your lifestyle. Look in your freezer/pantry, check grocery ads and your calendar...this allows you to plan ahead and take advantage of sales. It's a great way to cut down your food bill and always have a hassle free sit down dinner with your family.

Projects--This is my dream section. I keep pictures from magazines of rooms/areas I would like to have and use some of the ideas. Also listed is my "to do" list of bigger projects.

Health & Fitness--Exercise routines, calorie counts, healthy foot advice are kept in this section.

Printables--To-do lists, shopping lists, menu planners...anything to help me stay organized with a plan. I print a master and make copies as needed.

Holiday--When you have ideas for someone for Christmas, record it in this section. Favorite holiday recipes, Christmas card lists and receipts all get kept here together.

Financial--I saved this section for last so I could explain a little more in depth. This method works for me. In Word I made monthly sheets containing a table that lists the date, creditor, amount owed, date paid and a note column. Bills are listed down by date due. For example, the mortgage is listed first because it's due the 1st of the month, below that comes my electric bill - it's due the 7th of each month...and so on. After I pay something and record how it was paid and a confirmation number if I paid it online I highlight the row. This allows me to see what is or isn't paid yet at a glance.