Friday's Letters - 9

I've spent most if this week at home, taking a break before the storm. I work in my local elections office, so as you can imagine, it's already getting busy. Here is my letter for the week!



Dear new Dr. for Macy, thank you! Her mom and Mimaw both loved you and you did a great check up on little Miss Macy. We are so thankful to have found you.

Dear friends, I'm so blessed to have you! Visited briefly with Sara and Corree, seeing Donna and Melissa today, talked to Sherry... Love it!

Dear Pen Pals, (yes, I write letters to people and use stamps and everything!) I've been slack. I WILL do better. But thank you for your letters, I love them!

Dear customers and viewers at Pressed Clovers, THANK YOU! I am working on custom orders right now and it's awesome. I love it! (Visit PressedClovers at Etsy.)

Dear readers, drop me a line so I can come visit you, too. I love finding new blogs to check out!

Ya'll have a great Labor Day, and please say a prayer for those impacted by Isaac.

Linking up to http://comeoneileen86.blogspot.com

posted from Bloggeroid

Thirty Things on Thursday - 6

Keeping with the 30 Things on Thursday theme...

6.  What is the hardest thing  you have ever experienced? 

I'm very fortunate in that I haven't seen many hardships in life.  Ups and downs, of course, but few crazy earth-shattering things that have set my world upside down.

When I first read this question, I'd have to say that death is the one thing that has shaken me up the most.  Health issues with the ones I love being a close second.  But the unexpected loss of a very dear friend was probably one of the worst things I've experienced.

My best friend's husband, he was also a very close friend of mine and Katie's.  Every Monday, the four of us would get together for dinner and games.  We celebrated birthdays like 5-year-olds.  We carved pumpkins and created Make-it Plates.  We were celebrating every week just being with each other.

It was an incredible loss when he passed away at 37-years-old.  Here today and then - BOOM. Gone.

I still miss him, he's personality and his humor. His competitive nature with Donna, his picky-eater-issues and his often said quote of, "Why the hell do I have to ______" (fill in the blank with whatever it was he didn't want to do... like Drive Home.)

SO yeah, there you go. :)  But remembering him still makes me smile.

Flowers for you!

I promised to try and give you some pictures.  Here is one I took on Monday morning on my way out the door to go to work.  I loved how these roses made an adorable heart as they grew! It's so Susan Branch-like that I might just have to tweet them to her.

So consider this my flowers to you. :)  I hope you enjoy! :)

Muffin Monday

I realize I only have pictures of Muffin with about three different surroundings. This one, my bed, is one of her favorites. I had laid down for just a minute this weekend and she want overly amused.

I have a small, two bedroom house that I love, but doesn't lend itself to lots of photography options for Muffin. ;)

Can I just say this weekend was great. I didn't do much but I had a great visit with family, including both nieces. Love family time.

I'm taking most of this week off before the storm...not the hurricane but the election. I start teaching classes soon and it won't stop until November! Maybe I'll have some good photos to share this week!

posted from Bloggeroid

Be careful how you think...

I'm trying to follow #shereadstruth as they go thru Proverbs. I'm way behind but I'm greatly enjoying the learning and opening to understanding.

Tonight, the verse that really got me was Proverbs 4:23
"Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts."

Another versions reads:
"Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life."

Very powerful. And I believe very truthful statements. So this is what I'm reflecting on tonight...

posted from Bloggeroid

Friday's Letters - 8

 http://comeoneileen86.blogspot.com/

FRIDAY'S LETTERS 

Dear Self, I'm so proud of you for opening your very own Etsy shop, called Pressed Clovers, this week.  I know it's something you've wanted to do and I know it terrified you, so I'm proud that you took that leap! Prayers for this going well!

Dear family, friends, coworkers,  Thank you for your support and belief in me!! Thank you for the awesome orders, too! :) Thanks for all the hearts, circles, favorites, etc.... Dear Paulene, THANK YOU for your awesome support and featuring me on your blog! You are an awesome designer but an even better friend.

Dear Oreos, You are not my friend... Dear Healthy Food Options, You are supposed to be my friend, but why can't you taste like Oreos?

Dear Macy, You had us worried this weekend, babe.  We need you to not be allergic to your formula. Constant crying makes all of us sad. We need you to realize sleep is good.  But still you are adorable, even as you fuss. :) 

Dear Etsy, If you are nice to me, I might start Clover Blossoms, too... maybe.

DEAR READERS - I adore you. I love meeting new people. I love reading your blogs. I love seeing your coolness and your smart ideas. Thanks for opening an entirely new world to me!

Thirty Things on Thursday - 5.

Every Thursday I'm answering a question from the Thirty Things blog posting.  Here is this week:

5.  What are five things that make you most happy right now? 

Well, I think this could be pretty easy... maybe... Here they are in no particular order.

1- Macy.  I am so happy to have Macy in my life. Yes, she's only my niece and I'm not a "mommy" but she is such a blessing to me. I love watching her examine her new environment, how she puckers her lips, and her little silly grins.  She's adorable. She makes me happy. :)

2- My house. I love my house. It's my little personal haven when life gets crazy hectic to come home to my peaceful and quiet cocoon.  Follow this link to see the before and after... and I have done a little more in the way of decoration, so I'll get new pics up one day.  My family is amazing and most of the work was done by them.

3- Meeting new people through blogging.  I have really met the neatest and most talented people through blogs!! And some of the most faithful, which has only helped my own faith grow.  I really love seeing all the positive people out there.

4- My family.  I have the best family in the world. My parents are awesome, my siblings are awesome, and my in-laws are awesome. How lucky can one gal be?? Not to mention I have two awesome nieces, too! Yeah, I've got it made, what can I say?

5- Creating. I've felt creative lately and seeing creations come to life makes me happy.  I hope my ideas will take off and sale - I hope someone else out there will think they are good ideas, too!  Crossing my fingers and saying a prayer!

So that's my five happy things today. :)

Join the fun!

Nervous Jitters... Excited Butterflies!

Oh. My. Gosh. 

So I jumped in TODAY and I've opened an Etsy shop.  Me. Yes, me. I did it!

Can I go toss my cookies now??

Yes, I'm so very excited and so very terrified at the same time! I have a STORE! Featuring my premade scrapbooks! I'm soooooo excited!

What's the link, you ask?  http://www.etsy.com/shop/PressedClovers?ref=search_shop_redirect

Basically, visit www.etsy.com and search for PressedClovers (all run together like that) and you'll find me! I only have three scrapbooks posted right now, but I'm going to add two more tomorrow, I hope. :)

EEEEKKKK!!! My stuff is listed on ETSY! *deep breath deep breath deep breath*

So yeah, how cool is that? 

Here are a few pictures of the books I currently have listed! (each title is a link to the book) 

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Book

Girl's Birthday Book

Beach Vacation Book

I hope you'll take a look at the listings on Etsy, friend me/circle me/heart me - whatever you are supposed to do on Etsy and share me with at least one friend.  I realllllllly appreciate your support!! Big hugs to you all! :) 

<3

Beth

Muffin Monday

Muffin and I did more scrapbooking this weekend. He is muffin taking a break from all the stress...

Having gone to bed at 8 pm last night, I woke up at 3:30 am. I dozed a little bit with crazy dreams. Hope today isn't too rough! :)

Happy new week!

posted from Bloggeroid

Weekend Wants.

As I sit here thinking about the storm a'brewing on the horizon (meaning, I work for the Elections Office and it's a PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR!) I decided to take a moment to look at beautiful things that make me happy. Here are a few:

This cloth is BEAUTIFUL and can be found here.  Seriously? Can't you imagine super cute clothing made from this for Macy?!?! I can and it makes me drool!

Just so happens that cute dress pattern above is totally free and can be found here!  So I've already print that bad boy out and have it ready for mom, because let's get real, I'm not sewing. I wish, I bought the machine, but have never even tried it. Maybe after the election.

I want this SO BAD. It's fingerprint jewelry!!! I really want to get Katie a necklace with Macy's fingerprint and I do believe a local lady does something similar.  However, if you don't know of anyone in your area, you can find this particular item here.  My old office had one made for my boss of her granddaughter's fingerprint - tears of joy. Melt down. How could you not? What a thoughtful gift.

Not that I'm getting married, BUT, should I EVER get married, I think this is super neat. Everyone signs a "dot" and then you assemble it to create a neat art display for the home. I'm not crazy about the bike, but I'm sure there are other options. Really neat. Can be found here.

Last but not least... JOY! I love the rustic and handmade quality to this - simple, peaceful and JOYFUL! Awww... *sigh* so restful. You can find it here. *sigh* That's a great one to end on. Simple Joy.

Hope you are having a great weekend. :)

Friday's Letters - 7

Dear Doctors, I don't get your lacking listening skills, lack of compassion, lack of concern. Don't be a pooh-head and brush concerns off without listening one iota to what is going on - instead stop a moment, hear, consider, and respond. You aren't the only doctor on this planet or in your practice. Just an FYI.

PS - how could you not listen to everything said about something this dang adorable??    ----->  Look at her. She's CUTE!

Dear Election Workers, I totally get your stress level working the polls on Election Day after working a small election this week. Considering all that is coming at you - ya'll do an AMAZING job and I thank you for it!


Dear Prayer Peeps, THANK YOU. I asked for your help YET AGAIN and YET AGAIN you respond to my cry. God is beautiful and wonderful for putting you in my life and I can't thank you enough.






Dear Co-Worker, thank you for forgiving me. :)

Dear Bears, I'm sorry I blasphemed your name by saying my grouchiness was akin to being like one of you. :(  I do still think you are cute. :)



Dear Mean Receptionist:  You totally lost our business before we ever stepped in the door.

Dear Ellie Bellie,  Thank you for cracking me up with your funny and witty imagination.  "Knock Knock." "Who's there?" "Orange." "Orange Who?" "There's a banana on your head!" ... HILARIOUS! 

Dear Readers - thanks for stopping by!! Ya'll come back soon now, ya hear!

PS - readers, can someone tell me how to add "other posts you may enjoy" type of thing to the bottom of each entry? Surely someone can help me out?!?! THANKS! 

Join the fun here!

Thirty Things on Thursday - 4

Join me for week four of Thirty Things on Thursday! :)

This week:
Question 4.  List 10 things you would tell your 16-year-old self, if you could. 

Sheesh. I don't typically live in the high school past.  I'm going to try and we'll see where this goes:

Senior prom. I'm 17, but couldn't easily
get my hands on a 16 yr old pic.

1- He isn't the love of your life. (I'm not sure who is, but it isn't him.)

2- You are beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. Enjoy that skinny body now because it will not last.

3- You are smart. No really, you are and you shouldn't take it for granted, but instead should dive into new areas to learn even more.

4- I'm proud of you. You aren't trendy, you aren't fashionable, you aren't super cool, but you have a neat personality that makes you unique. I'm glad you realize you don't need all that superficial stuff. Good Job!

A friend and I after a band concert

5- Yes, your parents are strict. I know, I know. But they love you - oh my gracious do they love you - and you'll be better for it in the end.

6- I wish I could help you fear less and take more chances - go for it, girl! You've got mad skills that you'll forget about later in life, so soar with them now!

7- When your dad yells, "Tap It Out, Leroy!" across the field when it's pretty much silent and everyone across three counties can hear him, he's really telling you he loves you and is proud of you.  :)

8- Eat something other than Reese Cups and Dunkin' sticks. That is horribly unhealthy for you and what the heck are you thinking? How about creating some healthy habits for a change?

9- This is simply a warm-up for the life you have ahead. Yes, you are having fun and I'm thankful for that... but girl, you have so much to come that will be wonderful. Enjoy this now, be prepared for so much more!

10- Don't. Just don't. You know what I'm talking about, get your head on straight and listen to me. Don't. ... ... then again, who knows what would change if you didn't, so it's ok. Do. :)

Join the fun here!

Grouchy Bear.

In my old job, where I actually had an office with a door, occasionally I'd tape a sign to my door that had a fiercely growling bear and said, "Bethie is being a bear... you might want to just leave her alone today!" and I'd shut myself behind that closed door. I tried to save others the agony of dealing with me.

Here there is no door. We are all in one open room with no cubby walls, no protection from each others' moods. And let me tell you, I've been in one. GROUCHY. Like a bear with a sore paw. Like the Snow Monster in that old Rudolf movie that needs a tooth pulled by the dentist elf. GROUCHY.

So, I snapped my coworker's head off. Snapped it clean off. And she's the one that's always happy and I just flipped on her. So today, when we were the only two in the office, I had to apologize.  I was out-of-line and I really needed to make things right.

This Sunday the preacher really hit home on loving our neighbors like we'd want to be loved.  And I'm not showcasing that at all these days. So I'm praying - and hopefully will see a change in my grouchy levels soon!

Muffin Monday

This is Muffin, helping me in my scrapbooking room as I made birth announcements for Macy. She was a huge help, picking out paper and finding the end of the string of stickers anytime I needed it. Huge help...

So I decided to help Katie out by creating birth announcements for Macy out of random scrapbook paper I had left from various projects. First I used cards I found at Wal-Mart for a dollar, but then I realized this will require Katie to write a note in every one of them. So ... after thinking on my feet a bit, I remembered left over invitation kits from something, which would also have their own envelopes and TA DA! I have a solution!

Here are a few samples of the announcements:

That sweet baby girl, I just adore her. I, of course, kept one for myself and will frame it soon. ADORABLE. 

AH was also home this weekend, and I got the best picture of her and Macy together in their matching shirts! Thanks to Sister Beth for this really great idea. AH loved looking like her sister. :) 

And so we are diving into a new week - hope yours is WONDERFUL! Midway point in August - heaven help!

Friday's Letters - 6

Dear dear friends Sara, Grace & Donna, it was lovely seeing each of you this week (ok, Sara should have been last week, but anyway). I love having time to catch up, visit, laugh together and share concerns together. Ya'll are each so awesome in your own individual ways. <3

Dear Macy, you continue to grow so fast and it sometimes just makes me so sad to see how quickly you change! I pray for you - that you'll be a joy-filled child of God and will follow His plan for you! :) 

Dear Sister, I am so proud of you! Helping you decorate your classroom yesterday, seeing how much thought you put into everything - the order of the posters so they create a timeline, the bulletin boards with artifacts of the first chapter & shout outs to the outstanding students, the books you have for them to read, - you care so much about these students. You are an amazing teacher and these students are so lucky to have you! 

Dear Gabby, YOU GO GIRL! You rocked the Olympics and held your faith high for all the public to see! You are a great inspiration for so many girls and I'm very happy for all your success!

Dear Olympics, I'm ready for you to end. I feel like so many of our sports and athletes aren't featured at all in our media and attention is only given to particular ones (sorry Gabby!).  So please end and let's get back on schedule. Thank you. 

Dear Blog Universe, Friday's Letters readers, random peeps - THANK YOU! I have found the most amazing people out there to follow, from designers, decorators, cooks, creative people, everyday life people, faith-filled people, I LOVE IT! Thanks for dropping by my slice of the world and inviting me to be part of yours! 

Join the fun!

Thirty Things on Thursday - 3

Following along my Thursday theme:

3.  Describe your relationship with your parents.

I will admit, I have the BEST parents in the world. I'm blessed. No, I'm beyond blessed.  Not only do have them as family, I can truly say they are my closest friends. I am so thankful I can enjoy them as an adult now and not just look at them as a child looks to their parents.

Mom and Dad gave all three of their children a good foundation.  Christian values and beliefs, unconditional love, support in our interests, a firm hand and consistent discipline. And I think all three of us turned out pretty good!

They are still a huge influence in my life.  I value their opinions and advice and appreciate them greatly. I frequently thank God for my family in my Thankful Journal because I do believe they are the most valuable blessing He has given to me. 

So to answer the question - my relationship with my parents is awesome! :)

Join the fun here!

Off the wagon.

I had every intention of being good today. Greek yogurt and wheat English muffin for breakfast. Water. More water. But then lunch came about and I couldn't face another salad. I just couldn't.

So I went to Burger King and splurged on a Whopper Jr. sans cheese combo with Diet Coke. I was pretty excited. Except that once I came back to the office, conversation after conversation after customer etc kept me from eating my splurge while it was warm and yummy. Ice cold splurge = not so tasty. So... that splurge sucked. Goes to show you should stay on the wagon, eh?

Must say hello to my friend, Sara, who had lunch with me on Friday. She should have made it into Friday's Letter, so shame on me for not including that. Bad Bethie! Sara is so totally awesome - an adventure seeker, camper, international traveler, good listener, somewhat shy until you get to know her, super nice, beautiful, kind, - she's got a lot of qualities I wish I had. I live through her travels and adventures across the globe. :) And I envy her tan because she never looks pasty sugar white like I do and that's just not fair. :(


Summer weather is so strange.  Here are three photos from the past week or so.

Foggy morning drive. I love foggy mornings on the road because I usually dip below the fog and then drive back up into it. Kinda neat. 

Do you see the crazy downpour on the right?! One area just got blasted!

My rainy drive into work this morning. Not a fan of rainy days, though we need the rain badly.

Well, tomorrow is a new day and I promise to stick to the plan better.  Tomorrow night is play date with Donna, Sister Beth and Ellie.  They are coming to visit Macy! :) Who can resist her? It's impossible. I'll see you on the couch, watching Olympics tonight! :) 

Muffin Monday!

Muffin is very thrilled to get "Bethie Love" as I call it.  Can't you tell? Hee hee. She's still acting strange, licking the floor and stuff. I'm just hoping she isn't about to kick the bucket. That would make me so incredibly sad. I can't stand the thought of losing her. ... You know the first thing I see in this picture is the big white blob on my tooth. It's one of my unique trademarks. But it sure is blinging in this photo.

This weekend was an interesting one. I had a good bit of Macy time, which was WONDERFUL.  Lovely. Adorable. Love that sweet precious girl. We did a photo shoot with her (Mom and I) and actually got some decent pictures. Not professional quality by any means, but something cute. Thankfully, Snapfish tends to do a little touch-up so they'll be a little better when they print. :) Maybe I should iron that sheet?

I also lost water this weekend, which was slightly stressful. I was afraid I had burned up the hot water heater and killed the well pump, too. Nope, it was ants. Yes, ants got into the somethinganother switch that is by the pump and the electricity current killed them by the dozens. But it also kept the two thingamabobs from connecting, sooooooo... no water for Bethie. Dad came to the rescue and TA DA! I have water again. :) 

Trying to focus on another work week. Hope you all are enjoying the last bits of summer (not that it really makes a difference in the working world, guess it's all a state of mind!)  Have a great week!