Personal Diary

Have you ever kept a personal diary?  As I look back on my life, that was never really my thing.  I don't know why because I love to write.  I think about writing every single day of my life.  When I have a moment to myself I think to myself...you need to write.  Then I don't because I put pressure on myself and can't come up with a thing.  A week or so ago I was searching around looking for creative writing ideas and a personal diary came up.  DUH!!!  I have kept a prayer journal, I have kept a journal of favorite devotionals, I have been blogging for years but never did I think about actually documenting my thoughts and feelings on paper.  So I have begun.  I have a lovely hard bound black book somewhere leftover from school with blank pages.  Do you think I can find it?  No, so I found a plain old black notebook to start, nothing fancy.  I love it!  I look forward to it each day.  To sit with paper and a pen and just to write without worrying who will critique me...or better yet, I don't critique myself.  Whatever is on my mind that day is what I write about.  Sometimes I get interrupted and then my thoughts fly out of my head as quickly as they enter.  But what a lovely time it is to have those few moments alone, just me and my thoughts and my journal. 

If you haven't tried it...it makes an excellent writing exercise...It makes me totally free to be me.

Wishing you a lovely evening!

How time flies...

I am sort of sad that I have nearly missed blogging for almost a month.  I don't know what happened we had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving and then it was is someone held the gas pedal down on my life and the last two weeks have been filled with traveling, appointment after appointment, the death of my dear aunt, more appointments, a nasty bladder infection and flu like symptoms for about 2 days.  Do you think that is enough?  We were beginning to fear that we would be having Christmas without a Christmas Tree this year but we managed to head out for our family tradition early Sunday morning...because we skipped church we had a wonderful time of singing praises to The Lord on the hour trip.  It was bittersweet as we got home in time to switch gears to go to the funeral home.  But the tree is in the stand and in front of our picture window...as soon as I find my Christmas lights we'll be one step closer to putting on the decorations.

Dennis and I wanted to put some Christmas lights out...so we went to the store and bought some...them we debated if we wanted to put them out.  I asked him if we were acting old...lol.  I don't want to be like that it is just so hard when you hardly have a minute to spare.  On Monday, he surprised us, as we were at the studio he was wrapping my weeping tree in lights.  It looks cute and festive and we got the neighbors started...because they put lights around their door.  Then yesterday I put a big shiny bow on our front door it is covered with glitter and sparkles 24/7...now our neighbors have lights in their windows...Dennis and I see it as a competition...so our goal get the tree lights up tonight which you can see from their windows.  We'll see who wins:)

The sun is shining our air is crisp and cool but no snow yet which pleases me very much as I am a mild weather girl for sure.  I think that's it for today...I'm off to find my Christmas lights!

Our Thanksgiving

We had such a great Thanksgiving.  I was so organized.  I put all my food together except the turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes together on Wednesday.  Everything was ready and waiting in the fridge for the oven.  I actually had room for all of it and my kitchen stayed clean all day.  In an old house with a small kitchen which also is the door everyone uses to come in my house it is an art form to cook a big meal and have the kitchen tidy but I did it.

The highlight of my day was spending time with my 7 year old nephew and my 4 year old niece.  My niece isn't really sure about me, but my nephew is starting to remember previous Thanksgivings and my food, lol.  Which warms my heart.  I don't see them very often even though they live near my mom.  It makes me sad but sometimes you just have to accept the way things are.  We loaded in our van after dinner and took them to a park.  Brittany followed them around and played with them as my mom and I walked around the perimeter of the park for exercise.  My brother and Dennis through the football around.  It was nearly 60 degrees and beautiful and it felt so good to be out.

After our fun day Brittany and I decided that we would stay awake and try Black Friday shopping at midnight.  We went to Kohls.  We ran into one our studio families...which was fun.  I picked up a couple of things for myself and Brit did the same.  Then we made our way to the end of the line.  Yea...I am embarrassed to say that we waited close to 2 hours in line.  Our friends, went to the jewelry counter...where there was no line.  Who knew?  We aren't professional shoppers.  I would have gladly dropped everything but Brittany was holding tightly to a couple of sale items.  She did get a great deal on a jacket that she has been eying for weeks.  So I did what all moms do...I had patience and waited with her.

Friday...we rested most of the day just hanging around getting ready for the Santa Parade in our small city.  We heard rumors that the balmy temperatures that we had been having for over a week were about to end.  And so they did the morning of the parade.  We awoke to flurries and and near freezing weather.  Most of the kids did great with smiles.  The younger kids cried, some throughout the entire parade.  You just have to keep smiling and encouraging.  Brittany fell on her backside during practice.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  It was like something you see on television.  She was okay other than a swollen ankle the rest of the day.  But our dancers looked beautiful and we finished a second. 

This week, I am getting ready to head to the great state of TEXAS with my husband.  His company is having a Christmas party at the JW Marriott in San Antonio.  We are heading out there Saturday morning.  He took a vacation week and we are extending our stay through Tuesday.  I am not even sure what we are going to do with our free time but we'll nose around and just enjoy a few days together.  I CAN"T WAIT!!!

Until tomorrow,
Have a blessed night!

Thanksgiving Break

I am so happy.  It is another mild, bright, sunny day.  I do not take this for granted and this weather is welcome to stay as long as it wants.

I had been trying to get to the grocery store for a couple of days and they were long, busy days that left me so tired by night that I didn't have any energy to traipse through the isles of a grocery store.  Last night, however I did and I am so glad.  I went late and other than having to wait for a very slow check out girl, I was able to get everything that I needed.

On the menu,

Turkey and Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Baked Beans
Mashed Poatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole
Cranberries
And Rolls

For desert I took advantage of our studio fundraiser and ordered 2 delicious pies. One pumpkin and One Caramel Apple Walnut Pie.

I am waiting for Brittany to come home from the gym and then we will work together to get everything ready to go in the oven tomorrow.  I am thrilled she wants to take part in the prep work this year.  Usually I feel like I am missing out when I spend all day in the kitchen.

Tomorrow will be a quiet, relaxing day with my mom, brother and nephew and niece and of course us.  I have been looking forward to a few days break for weeks and I plan to enjoy very single minute.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful Tuesday

This morning I had the pleasure of going to a 3rd grade Talent Show along with my Brittany.  She was invited by one of her Performance Team dancers.  It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.  I just know that this little girl will remember for all time her dance teacher coming to watch her dance in her show.   This little girl had  taught her friend what she has been learning this year.

I am thankful for many things but especially the fact that I get to be around so many young girls each and every day of my life.  I enjoy the energy these kids bring to my life.  I love laughing with them, their hugs, encouraging them.  It's fun and even though it can be so very tiring day after day keeping this freight train on track I wouldn't be anywhere else.

Tonight we have parade practice followed by milk and chocolate chip cookies for all the kids.  I'm sure that it is going to be an action packed evening.  Then, we have a 3 day break.  I am looking forward to spending some family time.  Brittany wants to help me in the kitchen this year, which makes me thrilled.  We'll get things done quick working together which will allow more time to just rest and relax.

Do you go out shopping on Black Friday?  I have never done this before but some of the moms at our studio make a whole day of it.  I think Brittany and I will dip our toes in the water of Black Friday shopping and hit Kohls at midnight.  It might be fun, of course it could be crazy too but we are both game.  Then we'll come home and head for bed.  I'm not really looking to shop for anyone...maybe we'll each buy ourselves a little something just so we can say we did.

That's about all.  I'm just thankful, pure and simple for all that The Lord has blessed me with.  Life isn't always easy but I wouldn't miss it for anything.

Saying Yes A Little More

This is the way I started my Saturday.  My sweet husband offered to make me a big breakfast and I decided...yes.  I have just recently realized something about myself.  I am so quick to jump and serve, to to to take care of everyone's needs that seldom do I allow someone to take care of mine.  I resist.  It's not that I'm stubborn, it's just how I'm wired.  Someone offers to make me something, I jump up and say "I'll do it".  I think sometimes I cause frustration to those who love me because it almost comes out defensive and that is not my intent at all.  I am going to try really hard as the days go on to allow others to serve me too.  

I guess I am just a take charge kind of wife and mom, always putting their needs above my own.  I think it made him happy to make me this yummy breakfast.  I've never thought about it like that before...so here is to saying yes just a little more.  I enjoyed my breakfast very much, he did a fantastic job!

My weekend is going to be full of getting ready for Thanksgiving, baking Chocolate Chip cookies for our happy dancers at parade practice and hair bow making (for the parade).  

Outside the sun is shining and it's a lovely day. 

Wishing you a great weekend!

Half Way Point!

I woke up this morning to a beautiful day, the sun is shining and I am happy to say that I  survived turning 50.  I went to bed at 12:06 last night, just in case an asteroid would fall from space and take me out, I wanted to be fully awake for it.  I'm laughing at myself today, what was I thinking.  It's just a number after all.  I am still the same me for Heavens sake.

I'm going to look at this birthday as sort of a mulligan, a do over.  The way I see it, I have about fifty more years or so to continue to praise The Lord, guide my Brittany, live on happily with the love of my life.  Lord willing that is.

I am pumped though, I'm excited.  I am going to get more in tune with myself.  Focus on fitness, eat better and drop some unwanted pounds leftover from my forties.  Yes, this is a brand new year for me full of possibilities!

Brittany woke up this morning shoving her gifts at me, she has wanted me to have them for the past 2 days and I keep telling that I would wait.  She was having no more of that.  My girl bought me two lovely pair of earrings, a beautiful purse it is burgandy with a bow on it, and two gorgeous sweaters.  I told her it was too much but she reminded me that I am her only mom.  Seems to me I have said those same exact words  to my sweet mom a time or two myself.   I took the tonight off and instead of working around my house I am going to go have dinner with my husband and then I am going to let him buy me something.  I think I have been driving him crazy all week.  He keeps asking me what I want and I keep telling him either, "I don't know.", "I don't need anything. " or "you don't have to buy me a thing."

I guess if he were saying it to me then I would feel the same way.

I found something online that is really cool.  Since today is day one of the rest of my life I went to www.sparkpeople.com.  They have all types of trackers on there and best of all it is free although I did buy an app for my iPad for only 3.99.  But I have been nosing around on their website too and it is much cheaper than WW being free  so I'm excited.

Ok, I'm done with rambling for today.  I'm off to get myself presentable for my date tonight!

Hump Day

It is just a typical Wednesday here.  Dreary, cold and busy.  Yesterday, I was forcing myself to be thankful, of course I am thankful for so many things.  I was not my self.  I am starting to feel the crunch of life come upon me and instead of panicking...I decided to just be thankful.

We are in the midst of needing a day off so badly.  At least I do.  I started the year off so organized and now I feel things piling up. Last night Brittany and I stayed at the studio until midnight making tutus for the parade.  Only one more to go and then we do the hair bows wrap large packages for the luggage rack of our van and except for washing the van we'll be ready for the parade.  Parade practice is next Tuesday, we also offer cookies after the practice.  I am thinking just simple, gooey, yummy chocolate chip will make my life easy.  I am even wondering if SAMs Club has cookie dough that I can just stick on a baking sheet.  I need to get it all done because I need to clean my house for thanksgiving and start to plan and get ready for our feast.  If you can tell I am a tad bit stressed.  After so many years of just being homemaker and mom it is hard to be working even though it does bring joy to my life.

I have also been out of sorts since the election and to top it off my birthday is tomorrow.  Normally it doesn't bother me at all but this one is a biggie and last week in the mail I got an AARP CARD!  I threw it in the trash, I guess you can call it denial.  They say 50 is the new 30.  I wish that I felt convinced of this, again, denial.  But, tomorrow, I will wake up to a brand new day and will begin a new journey.  I will say goodbye to my forties.  I loved my forties, my plan, to find even more joy in my fifties...ugh, there I said the dreadful number after all.  A half a century!  Ugh!

Being Thankful

Today I thought I should really focus on my blessings.  I think when our hearts feel heavy focusing on what God does for us, we'll, it makes us better.

Today I am thankful for our new church. 

 I'm thankful for our new pastor and all of the new opportunities that are in front of us.

I am thankful that our weather is still mild and it is almost the middle of November.

I am thankful that my family is healthy.

I am thankful that my husband has a job.

I am thankful for friends.

I am thankful for sunshine.

I am thankful that my mom and brother and family are spending Thanksgiving with us.

I am thankful that I get to make all the tutu's for the Santa Parade.

I am thankful for a warm house.

I am thankful for clean laundry.

I am thankful for even the little things.

And whatever you do in word or deed,do all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17

Today, I am thankfuk.  

Reflecting

I sit today while Brittany has a dentist appointment.  My mind goes back to a day when she was newly 8.  Our school year had just begun, it was warm outside all of our windows were open so it must have been late August or September.  Brittany's chores before school were to feed, water and take the dogs outside every morning.  She did this everyday since kindergarten.   On this particular day she was out with our lab who at the time was young and rambunctious as they can be.  Brittany walked her around on a chain.  In our back yard we have a slope.  While coming down the slope Lacy our Lab pulled hard and by doing this she pulled Brittany's legs right out from under her and she fell hard on her back which is what she thought.  I was in the bathroom all the way upstairs and I heard her call me.  By the time I made it down stairs she had attempted to make her way to me and passed out landing face first with her little head wedged between the bottom step of our porch and the cement below it.  I, of course couldn't believe my eyes.  I made it to the bottom of the steps, turned her over and her left front tooth, broken in half fell out of her little mouth.  She came to and I did what any parent did...I called her dad.  Hours later after and emergency room visit, a closed head injury (she had hit her head and that is why she passed out) and a dentist appointment she was patched up and we were relieved.

We knew from the trauma that tooth suffered that the nerve would probably die and it did several months later.  For 12 years she has had a white filling making up the bulk of her front tooth.  They told us way back when that when she was about 20 and her mouth was done growing and shifting that she could have a permanent crown put on there.  Today was that day.  At least the prep work was done today.  She is now sporting a temporary cap.  She'll get the real thing in December just in time for Christmas.

For Dennis and I it feels good that we are able to give our beautiful girl her smile back.  Yesterday, when we left church, she mentioned that it was kind of sad.  Her dentist told her it was going to be a drastic change for her because she has grown up looking at that filling.  I kinda felt sad too.  But I told her how she rocked that filling.  It saw her through many days, many dance competitions, stage performances.  She never hid her smile.  She did rock it well.  Now, this future tooth will look as close to the one God gave her as possible.  Lord willing it will give her a beautiful smile for of course her daily life but also for wedding pictures, the first smile her baby ever sees.  Lots of beautiful smiles ahead for this youg woman who has the patience of a saint.

I still have her original tooth...my momento.  I think I'll take her out and celebrate with a new tube of lipstick...and I am sure in a few weeks the very first picture.

Thanks for taking this little journey back in time with me today.

Stats and Other Thoughts

The election stats are starting to come out from Tuesdays Election.  Normally I would not give them more than just a head shake but I am awakened with a reality.  I have tried to spread the word about what was going on in this country to the best of my ability with people whom I know.  I feel such a sense of urgency I am not really sure what to do with it.  My fear?  Our country HAS been fundamentaly transformed in the last 4 years.  What happened to the gains we began to see in 2010?  I'm not just talking about Republicans here.  I am a registered Republican...because my values rest more on that side of things but that isn't a shoe in for me.  I will not vote for a pro choice candidate...EVER!  How simple life would be if we just lived as the Bible calls us to, but too many beaurocrats have messed that up haven't they?  Now, half of our country doesn't believe in God.  They denied him three times, at the democtatic convention, how biblical is that?  What is worse is that many do not even believe He exists.  How do we even begin to fix this?  I am not a protester, I am not going to march anywhere with a sign I think it is pointless, but I care so deeply.  Where do we go from here?

More stats I found very interesting:

3 million registered "white" voters did NOT vote.  (Romney lost by 2 million) Do the math!
49% of voters between the ages of 18 and 29 prefer Socialism
43% of the same age category choose Capitalism

Obama got 60% of the vote of the 18-29 age group.

Is this a surprise?  No, but my friends if we don't start making a bigger impact we have for sure lost our country and our grandchildren will not know the America we have known.

Oh, and did you hear about all of the business closings and layoffs announced within the first 48 hours of the election?  They aren't going to be able to fudge the numbers much longer are they?

I lift my eyes unto the hill...

Where does my help come from?  I love that verse, I love the Casting Crowns song.  This song has been pounding it's way through my head for the last three days.  I am so very sad for our country.  I'm  sad for our children who will not know the America that we have known.  I'm sorry for our military who have to serve under a boss who I believe does not honor or respect them.  I find it completely and utterly unbelievable that he was re-elected.  I, cannot even stand the sound of his voice.  He has ushered in so much damage to our nation...who knows what four more years is going to bring.  Those who are for him frustrate me to no end.  Their decision is based on what?  Freebies from the government?  I heard Rush Limbaugh saybyesterday...you cannot compete with Santa Claus.  How true!

We are a nation that more and more is turning it's back on God...if you know anything about the Old Testament at all...you can see that history does repeat itself and my friends...we are right in the middle of epic times whether we want them or not.  My gift is not evangelism.  I'm out of my comfort zone there...but this world needs Jesus and I have come to the realization...that until people are truly hurting...some of them will never "get it".  We all have spiritual gifts...maybe it is time for us to put them on...sharpen our tools and really get out there and try to change hearts.  Being on Facebook has taught me a lot about people here in Ohio.  There was major voter exhaustion...we, being probably the most important swing state in the nation were so bombarded with ads and fliers and phone calls that I really think it had the opposite effect.  How much money was wasted, too much.

The man we have as President can use words very effectively...I have never seen anything like it...think about it...hope, change, forward.  His last campaign was a duplicate of his first campaign...same exact words.  EXACT!  Just like he was never in office.

I deal with a lot of young families through our dance studio...we are feeling the down turn in the economy.  We lost a lot of dancers last year...some due to moving.  We also gained a lot of new kids but we are still short bt 10 kids and we aren't getting phone calls.  People are feeling that economy stinks. I get sick every time I put gas in the van.  We have two vans but for the most part we share the same van everywhere we go...filling up two is ridiculous and if we don't need to why do it.  Food prices?  Is this really the new normal?  Really?  Or was it more about free birth control, abortions an health care?  I have no idea.  The one thing I do know.  There are consequences to elections and we are right here stuck suffering the same consequences because of irresponsible voters.  What substance is he offering us?

I know the answer to where I look...I look to the maker of heaven and earth for all things.  I think the ONLY way out is to change hearts.  It's a more daunting task than ever before.  So much has been ushered in.  We have to remain strong and firm in our faith knowing that he will work all things out for good.

Don't get me wrong, I am livid.  I don't even want to hear the sound of his voice.  I strongly dislike everything he stands for.  For these are the times that try men's souls.

With Liberty and Justice for All

Month 2...done!

We finished up October with a week of cute kids wearing costumes and parent observation week.  The last week of every month for us...Brittany fills out a small progress report on how each dancer is in class...and she invites the parents to come in and watch their children dance...at this time they can snap a couple of pics or shoot a quick video.  Her preteen classes have really filled up this year.  In her that ballet class she has 18 well behaved little ballerinas.  I snuck in to watch the class because you know, as a mom I just had to.  There she was at the front of the class with her assistant leading a floor combination to a classical version of some halloween song.  It was magical to watch...it took me back to a time when she was about 10.  Summer break had just started and her dance season had just ended and being that she was and always has been all things dance she went into our basement, cleared a little area for herself and held a ballet class for who knows how many invisible students.  I remember, listening to her from the kitchen...how serious she was being. Now, she has classes full of real student, yea I'm having one of those proud mom moments...can't help it, it still takes my breath away.

One of the cutest things I have ever seen this week actually many times over, I'll explain.  One of the little girls, she is 8 decided that she was going to dress up and be Miss Brittany.  So she came to dance with her hair in a bum, flowers tucked around it a frilly black top and skirt...which is what Brittany mainly wears over her Leo and tights.  Brittany said she had jewelry on and rings which is funny because she usually only wears earrings to dance...she was wondering how she came up with all the rings.  It hit me, in this little girls eyes, Miss Brittany is glamorous...it was so adorable.  On Friday night, 3 more girls dressed up like Miss Brittany.  I just never imagined that little girls would do that with my daughter...when she was little she had two ballerina Barbie dolls.  She named both of them after her two teachers.  All in all it was a fun week at dance.  I get to spend some time with my hubby today and we are going to try and see the new James Bond movie tonight as a family...tomorrow he ships off to London, Ontario...Brittany and I will have tons of girl time this coming week.

Wishing you Joyful weekend!

A non emergency, emergency room visit

About a week ago Brittany started to get a crack on the bottom of her foot...actually where her fourth toe attaches to the bottom of her foot.  One night after dance she asked me to look at it.  We put peroxide on it and I wrapped it with gauze.  Everyday since, the cut has grown so we began using anti bacterial cream and every time she does anything it would break open and further tear.  In her line of work it is necessary for her to be on her feet constantly.  Tuesday she wore tennis shoes and it felt better.  Last night she was back in dance shoes with younger kids and it was worse.  She didn't even want to walk on it.  Not far from the studio is a walk in emergency room...it was just built and so I thought...maybe we could be seen quickly.  My one thing was I didn't want her to get a staph infection or an infection of any kind.  We walked into this beautiful new building last night around 9 and we were home before 10.  She was the only patient.  We felt a little silly being there for just a little toe.  We kept joking with the staff...she saw 6 different people for this little toe.  I told her we are going to pay the salaries for this visit lol.  Anyway, the doctor took it serious and like me he said she was guaranteed infection so he didn't want to stitch her up...he felt that would cause infection instead she has to let it heal from the inside out and to do this she has to go easy on that foot...no running or dancing until it is healed...we have to keep it clean and she is now sporting a fancy surgical boot which will keep her foot from bending.  I kind of joked that we need to add some sparkle to the boot after all blinging things out is our specialty.  As we left the emergency room she found herself funny as she will now be hobbling around on this boot and it took 6 people and an emergency room visit for a half inch laceration.

It's good to laugh after all laughter is the best medicine!

The weird thing for me...she is now the legal one that signs all the papers.  How hard to still be a mom and realize that you are no longer responsible to take care of your child.  It's odd and silly...but even for her it was weird.  Change can be so hard.  But I am so blessed to have my daughter still around and that we can laugh at the silly things that com our way.

5 little chicken breasts and presto!

Yesterday I had to use up some chicken that I had defrosted in my fridge...so I began searching for recipes with pantry items that I have such as tomatoes...and I wanted it in my crockpot so that I could go about my day and know that tonight when we walk through the door at 9pm I had something good to fill our hungry bellies.  I took 3 of the chicken breasts and cut them into small pieces I added 1 can of corn, 1 can of kidney beans, 2 cans of diced tomatoes (14 oz each) and a 14 oz can of tomato sauce.  I also added an onion and some of our favorite spices turned it on high for about an hour...then moved it to low.  It is smelling wonderful...I guess kind of like a chicken taco soup.  I took the other two chicken breasts, boiled them and shredded them into a chicken salad for lunch.  Pretty economical eating yesterday.  Two full meals about $10 for the pack of chicken and the rest were pantry items.  But both were hearty and filling!

Tutu making!

After much research and buying yards and yards of tulle (who knew there were so many kinds) I sat down last night and completed one in an evening. It looks so good and it just so happened that one if the girls wearing the tutu was there for me to have as a model. Needless to say I am so happy with the results and feel accomplished
in my task. I have to do one more just like this and then some tiny ones about five I think but they will not take time at all.

Hurricane in Ohio?

For the first time ever...our schools here in Ohio are closed due to Hurricane Sandy.  I happened to get the news last night and I passed it along to my daughter's dance class...we have had nearly a year of mild weather which is also a first that I can remember at least.  The girls were jumping around excitedly...they made me excited!  Then I was very politely reminded how lucky I am that I don't have to go to school.  I love being around kids...they say the cutest things don't they?

We faired well last night.  We lost some branches and we heard lots of rumbles around the house but it looks like we made it through just fine.

This week, I am researching how to make tutu's.  I have found several ideas.  The dance studio is doing a local Christmas Parade this year and we have two girls wearing pointe shoes during the parade...should be really cute...so red and white tutu's will be my job this evening.  I have to say I love it.  Brit and I love to get our creative wheels spinning.  We have become best friends with all things that bling.  If it shines and sparkles we know about it.

Our dance year is coming along nicely...costumes and music for the recital are underway.  The performance team is improving every week.  It has been such a joy watching these girls grow and shine.  We truly have a special group of girls.

Well, I should be off...I am trying to work through my laundry pile as other things have taken my time these past couple of weeks.

Have a great day!

New Day, New Blog

Same old me.  Starting over is never easy but that being said I am excited to make my mark here on Simple and Sweet.  I'm a little out of my comfort zone here but I'm sure in no time at all I will find my new rhythm.  What are some of the things that I find simple and sweet?


Children's laughter
Time spent alone with my love
Girl time with my daughter
Family time!
Picking up my soft cuddly dog
Flowers, lots of them

Just off the top of my head...

Blog Book

I'm going to keep this post rather short...life is crazy, busy and full of everyday blessings. I found something the other day and would like to share it with my blog world friends. So many memories have I shared here on my blog. I found that I can actually use a very handy website to import the highlights in a book. Blurb.com works right along with blogger...it will upload your blog and you can create a book. I played with it a little bit last night. It was really neat to see all of this in book form and if I haven't mentioned it before, I love books...my thoughts and memories in a book? Priceless!

I'm not a scrapbooker...as much as I would enjoy it I just find it a daunting task to go back through so many years...I think how neat it would be to sum up every year with a book of memories recorded from my blog...so check it out. Blurb.com

Wishing you a beautiful day!
Joyce Marie

Random Thoughts!

It's Wednesday and things are pretty quiet.  Our weather is mild and warm here still...especially today.  At 74 degrees I am loving still being able to wear warm weather clothing.  I dread putting my sandals away and yet I know within days that most probably will happen.

I am praying fervently for our country as we are really little more than a month away from our election.  The big debate is tonight.  I am going to watch it...I would rather be watching something else because I know it is going to be painful.  I am praying for God's mercy on our nation and I hope that those who stayed home last election will go and make a stand and vote.  Did you know only about 50% of Christians vote?  These past four years have been long and I fear for our freedom...for our financial stability.  I have seen it in my brother's life.  He has struggled these past four years and it has left a mark on him, it has aged him.  I know there are others like him out there.  We need such a revival in this country.  I am praying that God will put the right man in and if he so chooses for us to have another four years of of the same that we will have a revival in this land.  I can think of no other reason to have to endure what we have all been enduring...but these are my thoughts and I am praying that I, myself will not go into a nose dive with the results...but I am prepared to just have faith and trust that God doesn't do anything without it coming out good in the end.

I took a walk down memory lane today and visited some of my most favorite homeschool sites.  I am looking for one book in particular.  I remember it vaguely.  I remember the person vaguely but for the life of me I can't remember her name.  It made me sad looking at all of those wonderful books...some that we we visited and some that we didn't have a chance to.  Wish I could go back and start from the beginning. What wonderful memories I have.

Getting ready for another busy night here at dance.  Soon pretty little ballerina's will be marching toward our doorstep anxiously awaiting their class.  I am blessed.  I am truly blessed!

Be Blessed!
Joyce Marie

Curtains out of napkins? Yes I did!

I have been feeling really blah.  A constant tickle in my throat has about put and end to me.  So...I decided to tell you what I did this past summer...

I decided on a whim...I do that ALOT to research all white kitchens.  They are so pretty.  I have extremely high hopes to do major demolition in my kitchen one of these days.  I swoon over IKEA kitchens!  I have everything planned in my head...ask me and I can tell you just what everything is going to be...but then reality is reality and my dream kitchen will just have to wait until we feel comfortable in this economy to make the leap.  I lay in bed one night and decided the next day I was going to do my version oof an all white kitchen.  Mine has just a hint of vanilla to warm it up a tad.  Anyway.  Brittany and I had a whole week off from dance and I figured since I helped her so much she could help me and she gladly did.  We took five days to paint...no wait...that's right we weren't off of dance it was our first week of summer classes.  What was I thinking?  We managed to get the whole kitchen done including cabinets and walls.  Do I like it? Yes, it'll do until I can create the kitchen of my dreams.

I opened up my two windows so that I could get all the light I wanted in there.  I really wanted to cover the door for privacy sake...wondering through target I found the cutest linens for tables.  I fell in love with the bright golden, yellow lattice set.  So I bought one pack of napkins, a new curtain rod and one of the best inventions by far...aka "the curtain clip".

Home we went with new towels and rugs and cute little things that we saw in the kitchen isle...who knew that diviner napkins could make the perfect cafe curtains for my door.  All the work is already done for me and I love the results.

I also purchased a matching tablecloth to tie in my dining room to my kitchen...I have a thing with that.  Then, after falling in love with my new yellow curtains I decided that I didn't need th tablecloth after all...I would make curtains for my dining room from the tablecloth.  It took me about five trips to different Target stores but in the end I was able to find enough of the same pattern and size to create my curtains.  Then, feeling so proud of myself I have seen it since all over Pinterest of ladies doing the same thing.  Oh we'll...great minds I guess.

I'm having trouble posting pics on my iPad so as soon as I figure it out...I'll post them.

Sunday blessing!
Joyce Marie

Vicks on my feet...it works!

Well, I have been racking my brain with ideas for my blog.  Searching for interesting topics and all things creative and wouldn't you know it that as September is upon us so has our weather changed which brought sinus headaches, allergies, colds and coughs to our area and yes I've been bitten with a cold. UGH!

The nagging cough started yesterday, you know, the kind of cough that makes your head throb every time you cough and makes your gag reflex go nuts. Oh yes, I am there.  Not getting much sleep this week, I am beginning to feel desperate so I began to research relief because cough medicines do not normally work, at least for me.  Tempted to run to the store I began to look up ingredients for a Hot Toddy.  Me, not being an expert of alchohol at all...I wouldn't even know what to look for but desperate times call for desperate measures.  I  decided that I would instead try Vicks on my feet before bed.  It's posted all over the internet and people say it works.  I have some so, what the heck.  My Dennis, said he thinks we have tried it before but I don't remember and desperate to get a good nights sleep I was willing to give it another try.  I took a nice steamy, hot bath and pulled on my most comfy Jammie's  and finally grabbed the jar of Vicks and put a rather thick amount onto the bottom of my feet.  I would have thought that it would make my feet cold but once I put my socks on I was pleasantly surprised that my feet had a nice warmness on the bottom.  I can assure you that it worked.  I did also take some cough Medicine and had my cough drops beside me just in case but almost instantly I felt relief.  I slept all the way through the night.   The funny thing is.  I took my socks off this morning...put my flip flops on to take my fur kids outside and I have been coughing my head off for the past hour.

Did it work...yes.  I think further trial is I order...and I am going to go back upstairs and grab those socks out of the clothes basket just as soon as I finish this post.  (because, as I have typed this I have coughed my head off) I'll let you know my findings.  I may continue the research on the Hot Toddy just in case.  Just to have on hand for those winter time coughs.  I think it's time to get back on my vitamin C.  Here is hoping to me having a better day today :)

Have a blessed day!
Joyce Marie

Then came summer

So, I have been contemplating a LOT these last few months.  The past sixteen months or so were so busy that I found myself much of the time just holding on with both hands (and feet) and I guess you can say just going with the flow.  

Then came summer, a lighter schedule loads of free time and plenty of rest and suddenly I am excited and full of ideas.  It's funny how when you can just be quiet for a while you can sometimes get to know yourself.  Barely had I finished homeschooling and Brittany had the opportunity of a lifetime (you can read previous posts in case your wondering what that is.) Here we are back in September and God has blessed her with another year of little dancers.  We have learned so much along the way.  Some we decided we would do differently this year and that leads me to today.  I am so excited to have the opportunity and the blessing to work with my daughter...to see her creativity grow with each day and to use our relationship as a testimony to all that we meet.  This year my schedule has loosened up and I am enjoying it so much.  Technically, I only need to be at the studio three nights a week (at least for now) even though most weeks I'll be in there four, because I find it hard to tear myself away from the kids.  

Anyway...we had such a fun summer.  We were able to just have some down time. We enjoyed a week at the beach and traveled with Dennis a week to Baltimore.  He worked as Brittany and I ventured out and did some sight seeing.  There is no better team building exercise than to brave DC traffic together i assure you.  YIKES! I have to admit I did have to recuperate a bit afterward but this small city girl drove through big city traffic for a whole week.  I am so thankful that our commute to dance each day tops not more than 35 mph, lol.

I have been thinking hard about changing my blog, changing the title of my blog, changing the location of my blog and I still don't know quite for sure what I'm going to do.  I have been running blog titles through my head for months and every time I do I always see my sweet little girl coming over the hillside by our home.  The sun shining on her hair, a precious smile on her face and a little fist full of all the yellow dandelions she could find.  Those are some of the best memories of my life.  I wish I had a picture but i guess I do in my mind as clear as day.  I remember, thinking how we were having the lawn treated for dandelions and she was bringing them back seeds and all because she liked to gather the fuzzy ones too.  

Now those pesky little flowers have become a reminder of sweet summer days.  She still brings me flowers...usually daffodils these days.  So for now, I will remain right here although I think I am going to change the tone of my blog.  My blog has evolved from home and family and homeschooling to hanging on for dear life posts lol.  At least it felt like that to me over the last year,  now I hope to start incorporating things that I am actually finding that I enjoy.  I am proud to say there is life after homeschooling,  I have begun to see and do and enjoy different things and I can't wait to write about them here.  I hate to say it but I am quickly approaching the big Five-O!  I can't say that I'm looking forward to it, if I'm honest it scares me to death but I am trying not to think about it.  I figure, Lord willing I have 50 more years ahead of me to enjoy, right?  So I'm going to get to it.  More to come...

Joyce Marie

Decluttering me!

I have been busy these past couple of weeks "decluttering myself". It amazes me how many empty bottles and containers I keep. What is with that? Well no more I am turning over a new leaf and each and every day I take a few minutes and attack something I have been meaning to do. My "something I've been meaning to do's" have been piling up on me for far too long and I am feeling more and more liberated with each full trash bag. So far I have attacked my kitchen, my bathroom and my dresser! Brittany has gotten in the spirit and cleaned my linen closet yesterday...thank you sweet Brittany! I'm looking forward to what I get to this week...a little bit each day really makes a difference.

Blessings!
Joyce Marie

Opening number costume

I embellished all of these costumes with sequins, I didn't think I would ever finish but I did and they came out fabulous!

Isn't he amazing?

I found this guy hanging on my Forsythia early Sunday morning. I would love to know what kind of moth he is. He was huge about the size of a saucer I can't imagine seeing him in flight.

Blessings!

Good Morning

Well, we did it! Dance Out Loud Dance Centre completed her first full year. What a year has been. We made it through our first recital and it went so smoothly that I still can't believe it. It was my first time ever back stage...I learned really quick what my role would be on dress rehearsal night. We sold over 400 tickets for our first year. Not bad with 72 dancers...we had a very enthusiastic audience who cheered our dancers on. Many people remarked how they loved her costume choices and her music selections. 30 minutes before the show she had prepared a cd with songs that have meant a lot to her from her life selections from Judy Garland, Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, her first dance recital song "Boogie Woogie Bugel Boy". The most important song for her was the one right before the curtain a tune that she used to dance with her Pappy (my dad) "Put on a Happy Face". I know he had to be watching down on her from heaven with tears in his eyes. Our show was 2.5 hours long and it went on without a hitch! We managed to keep her dance at the end a secret until dress rehearsal night. My fault I forgot to pull it from the dressing room paperwork but I think knowing that Brittany was going to perform built some excitement between the kids and their parents. It was of the utmost Importance to her that she praise the Lord for all of the many blessings that He has given to her and for bringing her through sometimes such a stormy first year, She chose a beautiful song by Kari Jobe "What Love is This". It was perfect because all of the dancers were in the wings of the stage awaiting the finale. When she stepped on the stage cheers from the audience and her dancers were so loud that it is still ringing in her ears. She danced beautifully and that night was able to give her testimony through her dancing. It was amazing! She is amazing, our young daughter who has begun a positive transformation in the kids that she is teaching. Her dance studio truly is her mission field. This week brings us to our 2nd week of our six week summer session of dance. There is a change with the kids. They are more excited than ever before to be in class. It is such a sight to see and it does my mother's heart good and her daddy's heart as well to know that she going to be alright. That she is building something that will give her a future. She may not be rich but she has the opportunity to share her love of dance, and Jesus with children...to give them a postive place to grow. Now, I am using this summer to catch up on all that I missed out on. I have got to find a better way to feed my family. We have just eaten WAY too much fast food this past year. I need to get a handle on my laundry and my home duties as well. Which I am fervently working on now each day. Summer brings a lighter schedule which allows me to get my bearings together. I am working on a new look for my blog...giving it sort of a facelift once I figure out what I want. For now I like the look of the hummingbirds :) Life is good, I am blessed, what more could I ask for... Wishing you a day full of blessings! Joyce Marie

Red Elevator!

May 2012

What an unbelievable, fantastic, mind blowing month we have had.  May came in with a bang and it hasn't stopped yet.  My Brittany took her Intermediate Performance Team to their first dance competition the first weekend in May.  The girls did amazing at their first performances.  They were sparkling and so pretty.  They all received a Gold award which is great for their first time.  Brittany was like a new mother leaving her baby as she left her first group backstage and came to sit by us in the auditorium.  It was so funny to see her like that.  What a different experience for Dennis and I as we sat there on the other side of being a parent of a dancer but as parents of the artistic teacher of these girls.  I, of course know how she thinks, have the privilege of being there night after night and watching her dances come together.  To sit there and watch the vision that she had in her mind come all together was...I can't really even put it into words.

The next weekend we all the kids at the studio from  7am until noon...dressed in all of their finery, hair in buns and red lipstick for dance pictures.  I was really nervous about this week.  We planned as best we could.  Created a schedule for parents and kids and we actually pulled it off without any major crisis.  We were on our way home by 12:30.

This past weekend we went to our final competition of the year and all the girls from both her Intermediate Team and her Pre Advanced Team and her soloists were there.  It was a great time and the girls did amazing again!  What a joy it is to watch everything grow...the parents bond.  It's beginning to feel like family within the small group of these parents. 

It's Wednesday and I'm finally rested up from the little sleep we got this past weekend...just in time to switch gears.  We are in our final week of regular classes.  Next week brings on Theatre Week.  Final rehearsals, a dress rehearsal and my daughter's first Showcase!  Later that night she has about 30 kids age 7 and up back to the studio for a "after the show sleepover".  

I keep saying this over and over throughout these last posts that I am humbled by so much that the Lord is doing in her life and all around her.  If you think of us within the next week keep us in your prayers as this is a big production to put on.  Our goal...to look like we have been doing it for 100 years.  We have planned and brain stormed over and over for the last year.  It's hard to believe that in just over a week we will tie a great big bow around her very first year.


Blessings to you and yours!
Joyce Marie 

Intermediate Performance Team

These sweet little girls will be competing for the first time next weekend. Tonight, Brittany is hosting a Pep Rally for them. Team games, pizza, embellished flip flops are all on the agenda as well as running their dances and lots of cheering for each other. I just love these girls...it has been such a wonderful year watching them all blossom into beautiful dancers and great friends.

Sweet Serenity

Within the last month my dear, sweet husband and I celebrated our 27th Wedding anniversary.  Twenty-seven wonderful years I have gotten to love and live with my best friend.  This year we went on an adventure.  We drove to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and rented a cabin in the Smokey Mountains. 

It was a bit scary for this mom who is struggling with letting go.  It was the first time that we had gone so far from home with Brittany actually being at home.  She had a friend stay with her all weekend, which made us feel better.  She was busy with one of her team fun nights too...so she was her typical busy self.  For us...we had just about 9 hours to unwind as we made our way to our cabin.  I will admit.  At the last moment I almost changed my mind.  I was nearly in tears when we left and so was Brittany but as the miles passed I began to relax and she stayed in her routine and I felt better when she was no longer alone. 

We are in this brand new phase of life.  Parents of an adult child.  Its HARD!!!  It is harder adjusting to this than anything I think I have ever had to adjust to.  The funny thing is...even though she is home, even though we are together everyday...it still kinda feels like we are going through the "empty nest" stage of our life.

Dennis and I had such fun as we had to find our cabin in the rain, in the dark, where we could see nothing but what was in our headlights.  We left later than we had thought and we got into construction traffic for about an hour so it was dark and I mean dark when we arrived.  Our cabin was located, literally in the tree tops.  We had a beautiful view.  We traveled some pretty curvy roads with drop offs on both sides of the road in the rain and in the dark.  It was interesting to see all that we passed by the next day as we ventured out to have a look around.  One of my most favorite memories and one I'll not soon forget was the sound of the water in the creeks as we passed by them.  There is nothing like the sound of rushing water coming out of the mountains over the rocks.  I would have loved to have been able to pull over and just sit by the water for a while.

All in all we had a blast!  We both agree that we have to get back to being a couple again.  There are times when she is out and we just, well, really don't know what to do with ourselves.  It's weird, I know.  But we are just so family focused that we have to give ourselves permission that it's okay for us to just be us again.  I am beginning to like this new stage.  It's fun.  We have had it all.  Eight years of newlywed bliss, Nineteen years of parenting, and now what do we even call this new stage of life.

I do know this, God chose the perfect man for me.  As we think back on the years we have had together we are both so thankful that all of our firsts are with each other.  He is still my love and my best friend.  No one makes me laugh as much as he does and when we are in sink with each other (did I spell that right?) there is nothing better.

So I am embracing this new stage in life with everything I have for as long as God allows.  Who knows what further adventures we'll get ourselves into.

Blessings!
Joyce Marie

Something to celebrate!

Our first showcase tickets are on sale as of today and I am very excited!

Where do I even begin...

How do you even sum up all the wonderful blessings that God places in your life in one single post.  How do I reflect on this past year of my now very hectic life.  Yet, I want to record every moment of it as I don't want to forget, ever, how I have watched God move in my daughter's life.  The end of March marked one year that my daughter was offered an opportunity to pursue her Dance Studio dream.  A year ago this month, marks the time when we wondered if we would make it through the trail of hatred that was coming at her from every angle.  This has been the busiest year of my life.  But I am so blessed to be smack dab right in the middle of it with my Brittany.  We have struggled together.  She is finding her independence and I am trying to let go.  Sometimes we butt heads in discussion when we both have different opinions.  Its hard going from mommy to "employee" when things are moving so fast you barely have time to come up for air. And, yet, through it all we have grown stronger than ever my daughter and I. 

And lets talk about what God has done in our life.  From the very beginning we prayed for wisdom...wisdom to show us the way.  We had been planning for this throughout our last years of school.  She had a notebook of ideas, which were fresh in our mind.  She would so often say..."when I have my studio I'll do this"...I would always say...make sure you write it down.  Sometimes we feel terrified, for instance.  It took us about four months to secure a theater for our recital.  We called so many different schools and could get no one to call us back.  Those were scary days for Brittany as she was on the phone for hours with butterflies in her tummy.  I was right there with her encouraging her to keep it up.  Finally, we found the theater.  We went to look at it and I stood in the middle of this beautiful theater that seats way more people than we could ever fill and yet it was so surreal that my 19 year old daughter was going to be producing her show in just a few short months.  We have spent hours upon hours creating policies, and paperwork, newsletters, updating her web site.  Trying to give people good customer service.  Trying to make a difference.  Trying to cover everything from our experience with dance studios over the years.  We held two huge fundraisers in the fall.  We sold pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Our clientele were able to sell these delicious pies to family and friends and the proceeds went toward their costume fees.  We filled two big vehicles twice, we had that many orders.  We ordered all of our costumes and have now handed every one of them out without a hitch.  And all fit! Which is truly amazing.  Our dancers are beautiful and sparkling :)  We have ordered all of our tights and just received them this week.  Oh and she rented a beautiful back drop for the stage.  We ordered our tickets and they are sitting here waiting to go on sale this Saturday!  We ordered her Performance Team jackets and they did a Christmas performance at the library.  And...we kept Christ in the words of the music!  In two weeks she'll be taking her team to their first dance competition.  Then, in two weeks after that her second.  In just about a month we will have completed our first dance season and preparing for our BIG show.  And don't forget about summer classes round 2.

So many things have happened to us.  She is ending her first year with 72 dancers.  How amazing is that! She was able to purchase her business in full by December 31.  She has been able to reinvest in her business by purchasing a monster of a brand new stereo.  New mats for her tumbling class. God has blessed her with so much and as I watch my daughter become a young woman with such a mind for business that it blows us away most days.  I watch as the kids come into our building dressed in their black leotards and tights, smiles on their faces.  Some now bringing fistfuls of dandelions to her.  I know that in her heart this is so much more.  To be a role model in the life of a child.  To be a safe place for children to learn about dance.  Sometimes her insight with her dancers astounds me.  She can see a need in the child and while she treats them all the same...she can treat them differently.  I have watched this performance team in particular go from shy little girls last summer to having friendships and learning to be a team together.  They have improved in every way and it is so amazing to watch. 

I am in awe of how God has taken my faith in Him from homeschooling to today.  I can't even put it into words and many days I am just speechless. I have learned to fully depend on Him these last several years of my life.  What it truly means to understand that He really does work everything out for His good.  Even when we wanted our life to go a different path.  Even though so many times in my life I felt like He wasn't there.  He was, I just wasn't.  I thought I was...but I wanted more than was what He wanted for me.  He opened my eyes and helped me to see and to live with what He had given me.  Not to waste a moment.  Not looking at my sorrow of infertility with eyes of sadness any longer but to see the little person He entrusted me to mother.  And now, my husband and I are a witness to the blessings he is pouring at our daughter.  Oh, I know there are tough days ahead.  But my faith stands that He knows best and that we only have to ask Him and he will deliver exactly what we need.

God Bless,
Joyce Marie

Progress...

Just a few thoughts...

We have been working so hard pouring through costume books. Holding fundraisers to ease our parents wallets, collecting costume fees and then came January. We have spent hours ordering costumes, double checking sizes...it has been quite an undertaking. As a new business owner my Brittany feels the stress and so do I. Have we forgotten anything? We have to be on the ball every single day. There is so much riding in my 19 year old daughter's shoulders. This is the week where it all comes together. Every month, during the last week of class, Brittany has parent observation. She hands out a progress report for every child. This is that week, also the week where parents see a sneak peek of their costumes and see the beginning of their showcase dances. Also, we are handing out packets of information about what is going on and what to expect. I am so thankful that during all of this we have a Lord who is there and very present at every turn. Asking Him daily for wisdom is like breathing to us now. We have had a few minor situations but at every turn we are learning. I came home last night feeling completely blessed that our hard work is paying off. People are happy and excited! This is such a change for those who were completely frustrated last year. Our motto is we need to look like we've been doing this for a hundred years. In this day an age my 19 year old daughter has had to compete with the way the world thinks. Despite the fact that she has devoted her entire education to dance unless it has a college degree attached to it many will look down their nose at her. God is blessing her abilities and people are starting to forget about her age and see her for what she can do. What a wild roller coaster of emotions I deal with each and every day. I am more convinced than ever that without being called to homeschool she never would have had the strength to accept the challenges ahead. Often times we had to defend our reason. I have no doubt that making that stand to exercise our freedoms builds great strength in all of us. We have many mountains to climb but God keeps on giving us those perfect God crumbs as we go.

Blessing,
Joyce Marie

This is our 4&5 year olds with the beginning of their ballet dance Thank Heaven for Little Girls...I actually cut off the beginning...they start on their tummies with their heads on their hands and their little feet kicking behind them.  It amazes me how they are all in their line at this age!

New "really new" project

Ok, well, I had to tear out my sock. My plan was to work on it when things were slow on my end...but I got excited and kept working, lost count and needless to day I have placed my lovely sock on the back burner but I have not given up. Instead I found a simple scarf pattern and it is working up quite nicely. I am trying Stitch Nation yarn in Bamboo Ewe. My beautiful color is Beach Glass. I'm enjoying it so very much and have to keep reminding myself that I'm still learning.

Simple pattern cast on 39 stitches. I am using the needles recommended by my yarn. Knit 2, Purl 2 to the last 3 stitches...Knit 2, Purl 1 and turn and follow this same pattern throughout.

Check out the lovely color...

Today we ventured out early, we had an appointment with a videographer.  A recital video is a main staple for kids and parents.  We found a very nice older gentleman who is going to record our show for us.  This is another biggie off of our list of must do's.  He was such a nice man and quite impressed with my Brittany, being a young business woman (smile).  He even threw a compliment my way which I appreciate very much.  He was one of those business owners of old that appreciates doing business over a hand shake.  Very rare indeed for these times.  She does have a contract however and now we can move on to the next big thing on our list. Ordering the last of our costumes and show order)

Next, we went to our most favorite bargain store.  We wandered the isles in search of Performance Team costume items.  Brittany has decided to build herself a little costume wardrobe in which the costumes belong to her and she can choose from as she sees fit.  We had fun looking and actually found some really cute things.  A little dazzle of gems and sparkles here and there and they will be adorable.  We really were excited when we found 4 large child costume all in red with sparkle for her Christmas performance next year.  These were true dance costumes from one of our vendors...we have know idea how they ended up in this store but low and behold they were on clearance for $7 each.  Woot!

Blessings!

Joyce Marie

A new project

I've been a little out if sorts and adjusting to all this new "busy"ness. I have decided to return back to knitting after giving up on it for more than a year. I bought a booklet of socks and pretty slippers and I plan to leave it at the studio where on a night when I am not busy I can pull it out and master it. I picked a lovely dark blue-gray for my first pair and after 3 tries have managed to finish my first 1//2 inch. I feel so accomplished and cannot wait to get back to it this evening. I love starting new projects it fills me with such anticipation. I really want to master this art. I love the stitches but I need to learn a few things like how to fix a dropped stitch just in case because in the past I have just had to rip out the whole thing which gets old very,very fast and which made me give up in the first place. Someday I am going to be good enough to knit a sweater, until then I'll stick with socks and dish rags. I'll leave this post with my first picture of my progress so far. Lord willing I won't have to tear it out and start over tonight!

Happy New Year!

I know I'm a little late but that's ok right?  Oh what a year we have had in our house.  A year chock full of firsts.  A year, often terrifying.  But watching God move has been so amazing.  As I reflect back on the year past (2011, that is)I am speechless.  It started off much like any other new year. By SPRING our daughter was faced with a huge decision...by SUMMER she was a small business owner, by FALL she had about 70 students and by WINTER she was dancing down Main Street with a group of about 35 kids in our small city's "Welcome Santa" parade.  This past year we completely renovated her dance studio, created a summer schedule and had about a dozen students to pull her through the summer.  Had a small dance camp where all the little girls put on a daily five minute show for their parents.  Things are happening so fast that it is all we can do but hold on tight and watch God work.  All the glory goes to Him. 

Flash forward (that is how it feels to us) and now we have ordered costumes and they are coming in almost every day.  Boxes of sparkling, glittering costumes are sitting waiting for our spring showcase which we are in the process of planning.  We have our theater.  It's a beautiful theater.  We have many, many ideas and it's exciting and scary all at the same time.  Dances have begun,  plans are being made our new year is full of more firsts.

Our Bible tells us that God will give us wisdom if we ask Him.  Oh how very often I have prayed for this wisdom.  Oh how He has worked out the details.  Sure we'll make some mistakes, but like I always told my daughter in school...mistakes are how we learn.  We'll just learn from them and continue to pray and allow God to lead. 


If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.   James 1:5-6

Blessings! 
Joyce Marie