Friday's Letter

Dear Week, thanks for going easy on me. I needed a little bit of breathing room and you gave it to me.

Dear Christmas Tree, I know you are only about three feet high and table top sized, but I just couldn't continue decorating you after the four ornaments I put on you last night. I realize you are feeling naked and abandoned, I will hide your bare branches sometime this weekend. Promise.

Dear Camera, you are totally stressing me out. Having a lens error right before the holidays is totally not cool with me. I'm crossing my fingers the camera shop can fix you for little money and little time so you'll be back in action by Christmas. :(

Dear Macy, the hat. Adorable. Ok, let's be honest, everything you do is adorable. Well, except puking on me. Not so adorable.

Dear Pressed Clovers customer - I'm crossing my fingers your employees love their books from you. I'm very honored and touched you considered me for your Christmas gifts! Thank You!

Dear Weekend - I'm so ready for you! :)

Thirty things that never end...

I'm behind on my Thirty Things and this is going to turn into a year of Thirty Things if I don't get moving on it. So I'm doing two today to make up for skipping Thanksgiving. 

What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?

Well, The thing I wish I were great at... singing maybe? Or possibly drawing/art.  Although I have more drawing ability than I do singing, which I have absolutely NO talent at, so I guess I'll go with singing. 

I also wish I had the talent of Southern Charm, but I have none of it, either. 

Wow... forgiveness is a toughie, now isn't it?  And although I do love you all, I believe I'll keep that one private. I do say the hardest person to forgive is probably myself and the ways I disappoint myself.  

Ugh. I don't like these two questions. Wonder what will be next week? Something more fun I hope! :) 

Just a sprinkle will do

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 25, many of our family and friends joined us at our church to see Macy baptized.  What a blessing!

While baptizing doesn't actually save Macy, it is a symbol that she is one of God's children and her parents, and the church!, take a pledge to help raise the baby with Christian values. It's a very special day.

Sweet baby girl didn't even offer up a peep, not a whimper, no cries. She just kicked back and played up the crowd, knowing all eyes were on her.  She was so good the preacher didn't want to give her up. Finally the youth preacher said - Chip, you have to give her back.  After the preacher went back to the pulpit, he said - I'm done. I can go home now. :) hahaha. She really is a sweet baby girl.

We gathered the family and friends in the Fellowship Hall for some lunch after church.  Here is Macy and her honorary Aunt Donna.  So thankful Donna could make it. I think back to all the things we have been through together - our nieces are two good things! (Her niece is Ellie.)

Mr. David, one of our church members and family friend.  He and Katie always tease each other about their hair!! Looks like he has more hair than Macy - hee hee.

AH, Macy and my aunt Lucille.  Lucille has always been crazy for the babies. :) She and dad look so much alike - you can tell they are related.

AH, Roger, Katie and Macy - one happy family.  

MeMaw, PawPaw and Precious (which is what dad calls her!) 

What a blessing both of my nieces are - so thankful for them. :)  And so happy Macy's special day went so well.  I don't think I would change a thing unless it would be to have better pictures. It just went that great!

Thanksgiving 2012

Clay, Angela, and Macy 

Roger and Katie

My aunt & uncle and cousins... and cousins! 

Mom and Dad

Wade, Meghan and Rylan

Josh and Kelsy

River, Rebecca, and Logan

Macy and Katie

Family. Food. Lots of both! That's what Thanksgiving was like this year - and every year.  We were a bit worried since Dad's first treatment was the day before, but he was feeling find and joined us for the feast.     I think we had about 25 people all together, obviously I'm missing quite a few here. Lately we've tried to use Thanksgiving as a time for family photos (in case anyone wants them for Christmas cards). I really like the idea it since it gives us more pics of those we love. 

You know we've had an interested year in my family, so Thanksgiving really meant a lot this year.  I'm realizing you better enjoy every moment right where it is because who knows what the next one will bring. So thankful for my family, my friends, every happy moment and those moments that makes us stronger and brings us closer together. My blessings - far too many to count. 

Tomorrow, pics of my sweet new niece, Macy, as she was baptized on Sunday! Come back tomorrow and I'll see you here! :)

{Review} My First Soft Nativity Toy Play Set

(When I purchased this item, it had no reviews which always makes me nervous.  I decided to review it for anyone interested in purchasing it! See Below:) *** UPDATE! See the update at the end, please. Thank you!***

Originally submitted at One Step Ahead

Please DO touch the nativity! We couldn't find a baby-friendly creche, so we created our own. Made of soft, fabric, with beautiful embroidery and appliques. Many of the figurines double as finger puppets, inviting kids to play. The take-along stable is also a storage tote. This 15-piece baby nativi...

My First Soft Nativity Toy Play Set

Stable looks rough...

By Beth from South Carolina on 11/27/2012

3out of 5

Pros: Easy Assembly, Complete Set
Cons: Not Exactly As Pictured, Poor Quality Construction
Was this a gift?: Yes

I purchased this as a gift for my 6 month old niece as a keepsake for years to come. I debated between this and the Christmas Tree sold here, which has GREAT reviews and this one had none… but I wanted the Christian aspect of the holiday to be highlighted.

My thoughts on the product: When I opened the box and saw the stable crushed and wrinkled, I pretty much decided to send it back. The stable is very cheap, flimsy and the star - it looks NOTHING like what is pictured. My star is facing down towards the ground and is metallic copper-colored threads that are already worn looking and the white stuffing is showing through. (see pics!) The roof looks like it's caving in. Not impressed.

When I pulled out the people, however, I loved them. They are bright colored and have the sweetest faces. The finger puppet part in the back is what makes them stand up (it kind of tents out), which I was impressed that they would stand. The characters included are: Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Angel, Three Wise Men, a Shepard, a cow, camel, donkey and two sheep.

Would I buy it again? Hm... maybe. I might would just pick up a Fischer Price one in the store for less money. Not as keepsake oriented but still a good thought. But, I have decided to keep it and gift it this Christmas. It's just a lot of money (especially when shipping is included) to be disappointed in part of the gift. So understand what you are getting and you'll probably be OK with the purchase.

This is my first purchase from One Step Beyond… not overly impressed and hope any future purchases will leave a better impression.

Puppet, stable, star and group picture

Tags: Picture of Product, Puppet, Nativity

(legalese)

(To post this to my blog was an option - I thought, why not?)

***UPDATE: *** 
I contacted the company through their website customer support to let them know I was disappointed. I also contacted them asking why my review was never posted.
1) I heard back immediately that they would send me another set to see if I liked it better, and sent a return UPS sticker so I wouldn't have to pay for the return. The stable looks the same, the star is in better shape but it still the copper threads so no, I'm not any more happy with it. But, I am impressed with their customer service!!
2) I never heard back from the folks about why my review was never posted, as far as I can tell. Today when I checked, the item was gone! Crazy.

Muffin Monday - Bad Cat!

Lovely image to walk into my room and see. So I decided to share the loveliness with you. :)

Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with blessings. How you are recovered and gearing up for Christmas! :) My favorite.

Since I have today off, I'm going to go enjoy a day of freedom. Yay!

posted from Bloggeroid

Friday's Letter...on Saturday morning

(beautiful sunrise on my way to work)

Dear online shopping, I love you. I've already received a shipment and two more are on the way.



Dear Thanksgiving, you were filled with family, food, and lots of photos which are all on my good camera. They'll be posted soon.

Dear Black Friday shopping, I refused to have people leave their families on Thanksgiving so I could go shop, so we waited until 7 am. We found everything we needed... Well, wanted... but two items. Awesome!

Dear sister, thank you for visiting me at work with Macy on Friday. It was a bit lonely when everyone else left and snuggling Macy is always a treat!

Dear countdown, it is on! I'm ready to decorate for Christmas and enjoy the holidays!

Join me! http://comeoneileen86.blogspot.com/

posted from Bloggeroid

Thanksgiving!

find it here

So true!! Today we will have about 25 people gathered together to feast on some seriously delicious Southern food. And we are all very thankful for our families, our friends, and the many blessings we have each received over the past year.

I've shared two days of Thankful Things, so I'd like to wrap up Thanksgiving with just a few more things I'm so very grateful for in life.

My home. I love my home. Every room, every square inch is a testament of my family's love. Every family member - even my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, gave to creating this cozy cottage for me to live happily ever after.  It's perfect for me. :)

My job.  I have learned more about myself and my hidden talents through this job and I'm so very thankful for the opportunity to give back to my nation, state, county and community through this position.

The lessons learned.  I told you, I'm trying to be thankful in all things, and you know, I have learned a lot through my mistakes, mess-ups, shortsightedness, and thoughtlessness.  And although I know I've hurt people (and myself!) along the way I can at least say I'm learning.

Pressed Clovers.  My very first venture into stepping into the great unknown of sales but I'm happy I did it and put myself out there.  No, I'm not selling out on Etsy, but it amazes me the sales that have been generated on a local level from advertising the Etsy shop.  God has it all in His control, so I'm not longer worrying about it.  But I'm so very thankful that step was taken this year.

My readers!! I'm thankful for you!! I know, I call you my imaginary friends, but you are very real and I greatly appreciate you bringing me into your home for a read on my life.  Thanks for dropping in and say hi from time to time, I'd love to hear from you.

So, with this, I'm wrapping up and letting you enjoy your Thanksgiving feast.  I hope your holiday is fabulous! Gobble til you Wobble! :)

In everything give thanks - 2012.

found here

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

My spiritual life has really taken a turn for the better this year.  We've seen some bumps in the road during 2012, but God pulled us through every single time.

I'm so thankful that God has brought me closer to Him this year through #shereadstruth.  This devotional seems to click with me and make sense to me in a way I haven't had individual devotionals work for me before.  It's a joy, eye opening and life changing.

I tell you, 2012 hasn't been easy. Describing it as a roller coaster would be pretty appropriate. A group of six people prayed for my family - they would drop everything and pray the moment a text message or email was received from me.  They will forever be special people to my family... we call them our Prayer Peeps.  They have taught me so much about faithfulness and prayer. So very grateful for them.

Something I'm still trying to learn - how to be thankful in all things.  Just the word "cancer" scares the poop out of me. Especially when it's associated with my dad, my awesome, wonderful, larger than life Pops.  How can he have cancer?  And I have struggled with how to pray about it - asking God for His will to be done, but please let that will be for dad to be cured of this horrible disease!

But Dr. Charles Stanley's monthly devotional came out and there it was written out for me: Be thankful in all things. All things. Not just those that I like. And so, I'm finding ways to even be thankful for the bad things in life, because they do serve a purpose and good can come from them.  (Blind faith in God's plan being one of them.) So I pray still for him to be cured, but I also thank God for the time I've already had with dad, for the guidance he's given me over all these years and for helping me find the priorities in life again. Sometimes you need a reminder. (I didn't say it was easy, but I'm learning...)

Blessings 2012.

found here

Two years ago, I made "appreciation" my word for the year.  It was one of the best things I've done in my life, to stop and find things I should show appreciation - or be thankful - for on a daily basis.  Although I was pretty slack about writing in my Thankful Journal on a daily basis, I've gotten much better and have learned so much in the past year.

Mom and Pop

I am so blessed.  Blessed beyond measure, beyond comprehension, beyond what I deserve. I have a wonderful family that I'm so close to on a daily basis.  My people are plain and honest people and I love them so much.  God is important to each one, which is also a beautiful thing.  We were raised with love, ethics and morals, which have stayed with us throughout our lives.  My parents are an excellent example of how family should be, with love and discipline to develop their children into strong adults.

I have an amazing church family that have really shown support during recent difficult times.  Their love is like a warm shawl wrapped around your shoulders, settling your heart. And friends who have been by my side - some for many years and some for a few.  Some are like family at this point.  There are just times when you need to lean on someone and I'm so grateful for them being there at any given time.

Thanksgiving this year... it's important. I'm thankful like I've never been before. Come back tomorrow and learn more about why. :)

Muffin Monday

Muffin is ignoring me...

Until I harass her enough to flip over...

Which is when she spots the lady bug flying around the light...

But then she realizes it's out-of-reach and settles for a stretch.

I'm off to find a baptism present for Macy today. I hope I can find what I want...nothing like waiting until the very last minute.

Tomorrow I'll start my thankful days and share a few here. I realize some folks do Thirty Days of Thankfulness. I try to write in my thankful journal each night (I don't always succeed, but close) so I'm consciously thankful for the blessing of each day. It's been one of the best things I've ever started.

And my family, like most, are getting ready for the holiday, so I'll also be making a grocery store run today. Not sure what I'm taking to the feast but I better come up with something quick!

Hope you have a fabulous Monday & I'll see you back here tomorrow!

posted from Bloggeroid

Happy Days

There are moments where you look back and think: this was a very good day. Not that I won the lottery our found awesome deals, but that I was just a good day.


I woke up early, laid in bed being lazy. Met up with my sister and my two sweet nieces for some shopping. The weather was chilly but beautiful and we knocked out some Christmas presents.

My mom joined in as we met up with my friend, Paulene and her husband, Josh. Paulene is one of Macy's Prayer Peeps and this was her first time meeting Macy. It was great; Macy loved them both but had a little crush on Josh.





One of the things I'm very thankful for this year is the Prayer Peeps. Those folks kept Katie, Macy and all their situations in their prayers before this child was ever born. So it really means a lot when a Prayer Peep meets Macy.



And, Paulene had ran a half marathon this morning...can you believe it? I swear, she is Super Woman.

Anyway, came home and cleaned kitchen, washed clothes, and made banana bread! I was feeling accomplished until I discovered the bread had a sad streak. :(



I should have known when I saw how flat it came out... Oh well.

Regardless, it was a great day, wonderful day! A very much make-me-happy-day! :)

What did you do this weekend?

posted from Bloggeroid

Friday's Letter

Happy Friday!

Dear Friday, I'm so happy you are here! I want to hug you and squeeze you and name you George! But you are only a day and not something I can hug, so I'll settle for writing a letter to you. Dear Weekend, I do have a few things planned for you, but I would like to also sleep. Please accommodate me in this request.  Dear Macy, yes, you are cute as a bug in a rug, however, barfing all over me this morning and filling my bra with baby puke wasn't very nice.  It required a change from the waist up and a sponge bath. And I still smell nasty.  But you are so darn cute! I still adore you. :) Dear Friends, I'm so glad to enjoy some dindin together again. I've missed hanging out and catching up on just random things, so it's nice to have time together again. Even you, pooh head, that I haven't seen in over a year. :) Don't let that happen again.  Dear Credit Card Points, I had no idea 1/3 of you were going to expire in March. I've been saving you for years to take a vacation and now I don't have anywhere I want to go for the amount of money I have to use! I'm not sure what I'm going to do about you, but I better think of a plan quick!  Dear God, you continue to give me such beauty. The night sky has been breathtaking with a blanket of stars twinkling down... and the sunrises, when I catch them with the time change, are so amazing. When I see what all you can do, it makes me realize my issues are very safe within Your hands. 

Dear Thanksgiving, I'm looking forward to you more than ever before, for many reasons.  I do realize I've been blessed beyond measure, and I thank the Lord for all the good things that I have in my life. I'll share more in the upcoming days. :) (click here for the Thanksgiving item show above)

Share your own letter at: 

Thirty Things on Thursday- 16

Question: What are your five greatest accomplishments?

I've given this some thought and here goes:

1) I created a marketing piece that was picked up by organizations around the state and saved them quite a bit of money. I feel really good about this.

2) I landed the job I wanted out of 80+ resumes. No string pulling or having someone in the know.

3) With a lot of help, I have a wonderful home that I love. I picked the colors and concept and am so happy here.

4) I was the first in my family to graduate college. I changed majors once and took a few summer schools, but I made it!

5) I started Pressed Clovers and branched out of my comfort zone big time. :)

posted from Bloggeroid

So Honored. Thank you!

I know, I'm so incredibly behind in my blogging. I would stay late at work just to schedule ahead those days I always blog in order not to miss a day, but I haven't done much in the way of BLOGGING until this week. 

So, I'm late in doing this, but not because I wasn't completely honored and flattered.  

Folks, I have been nominated for an award!! I know, I never expected it and I'm totally touched!  Laura over at Mice in the Kitchen chose ME for this award! The Liebster Award!  Copied from Laura, "The Liebster award is given by fellow bloggers to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.
The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome."  Wow. This is so awesome. 

SO - I have to tell 11 things about myself. Answer the 11 items given by Laura for me to answer. Then nominate other blogs and give them a list of 11 things to answer.  And so it goes forward. 
Here are my 11 items that you may/may not know about me: 

• I'm a music junkie. I always have a song or a jingle of some sort playing in my head. Always. 
• As a child, I wanted to look Asian and asked my mom if I could have surgery on my eyes to make them more Asian-like and dye my hair black. Mom wasn't digging it. 
• I have white spots on my two front teeth, which show up in most pictures. People used to ask about them when I was younger but now people are too PC to ask. The only thing we can figure is the meds from my ear infections as a kid impacted my teeth. 
• Each day I get older, my patience gets shorter. I try to off-set it and stop before I make sarcastic comments, but I don't always succeed.
• I think pug noses are cute on people. 
• I'm searching for a rich man to marry me so I could work part-time and spend the rest of my time doing crafty creative things... 
• I doodle. A lot. 
• Thank you notes are a must.  Seriously. I believe in them firmly. 
• Going home to a quiet peaceful, semi-clean house is wonderful to me. I do regret that I never had children, but the serenity in my home makes me very happy. 
• Not that I don't want to get married one day. I would love to, but only to the right guy. I'm not into making mistakes because I don't want to be alone. I'd choose being on my own over being with the wrong guy. 
• I took a leap of faith this year and decided to start selling my scrapbooks on Etsy.  The name of the online storefront is "Pressed Clovers" and I love giving people a way to preserve memories.  You can visit it at http://www.etsy.com/shop/PressedClovers. 

The 11 questions from Laura: 
* If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be and why?   Probably potatoes.  I love them. I've been known to eat four types of potatoes in one meal. :) 
* What is your biggest pet peeve?   Oh my gosh, I have so many. People who interrupt me. How rude!
* If you could live anywhere in the whole world where would it be?   Right where I am, in the middle of family. I love my house and I love my neighbors (haha!)
* Describe yourself using 3 words.   Friendly     Talkative     Genuine
* Who was your childhood hero?   My grandmother - and she still is, even though she's passed. 
* What did you want to be when you were growing up?   A teacher, but that didn't work out for me. 
* What was your favorite toy as a child?   Barbie maybe?  
* Dogs or cats?  CATS. 
* If you could turn any of your hobby's into a career and money was not a factor what would it be?  Well, I'm kinda doing that!! Pressed Clovers! :) 
* If you only got one phone call who would you call?   My mom. 
* What is the present on the top of your list for Christmas this year?  A Kitchen Aide Mixer. Or the Sound of Music dvd. 

So - I need to nominate some folks and give them my questions: 

Captivated by Love
Paulene Cruse
The 3 B's
The Scrampin' Mama

-- What is your favorite holiday and why?
-- What would you consider to be your dream job?
-- Why did you start blogging?
-- What is one talent you possess that you didn't discover until you were older?
-- Favorite animal?
-- Are you a morning, afternoon, or night person?
-- What one trait do you wish had?
-- Name one thing that is awesome about your home state.
-- You found a $20 bill in your pocket - what do you spend it on?
-- Are you named after someone? What's the story?
-- What is the go-to movie that always cheers you up?

Ok fellow Liebster Award winners - have at it! :) Thanks again to Laura for honoring me in this way - so nice! Thank you!

Muffin Monday

I think Muffin has missed me with my crazy hours lately. She is finally sleeping in her bed instead of on top of me. Granted, the weather has also warmed back up so I'm not sure which is the reason for her not smothering me.

I can't express what a great weekend I had, how happy I am to spend time with family and friends. It was a really awesome weekend and I'm thankful to get back to normal. :)

posted from Bloggeroid

Obsession

Pottery is an obsession in my family with my mom, sister and I all being addicts. I have no idea what started it, but I seem to think it's maybe my fault.

If I remember right, my first piece of pottery was made by me in elementary school. A slab box. Then in at class in high school with coil pots and one thrown pot, made with the help of my art teacher.

But the first piece of pottery I received that was truly a piece of artwork came from my friend, Stefan, when I was in college. It was a birthday gift, a yen yang swoop of black and white with curly que handles. 20 years later it's part of my kitchen, keeping all my put holders in order. I love it.








Since then, I've collected pottery from various locations. Beach trips, estate sales, festivals, our family trip to Seagrove, NC, and the annual pottery festival held just down the road from the house. This set found in a consignment store in Georgia, visiting the ex-boyfriend.






Here is the large bowl, which is stunning. So beautiful, inside and out. Doesn't it look like the Northern Lights? That's what I've always imagined. Probably why I couldn't resist and HAD to have it.










It also came with four cups and this little bowl. I fell in love, but couldn't afford it all at once. I begged and ended up walking out with part of the set. Then went back and got the rest. Sadly, it was there due to a divorce, so the owner told me. But I gave it a home, where it will stay. The little bowl I use for butters during the holidays, the cups make me feel better with spiced cider.





Crazy story, my friend from high school, who had never seen this set, bought me this vase for Christmas a few years back! A perfect match-the same potter! Couldn't believe it.

I know, obsessed doesn't begin to cover it...and you haven't seen the tip of the iceberg yet! I'll share a few pieces along the way. I just love the talent and artistry involved while still being useful. Perfect combination. :) Maybe I'll inspire you to check it out and become interested, too.

posted from Bloggeroid

Friday's Letters

Dear work, this was a big week for you.  I've logged more than 190 hours in the past two weeks and I'm ready to remove my rear from the seat and spend some time with my family.  It was pretty awesome being a part of a Presidential election, but I'm done with it now.  Dear friend, your hubby definitely deserved an "I voted sticker" celebrating the first time he ever voted in America.  We'll be taking care of that. Dear weekend, I haven't seen you in months. No really, months. I'm so excited to spend time with my family at the annual pottery show we attend... what a great way to celebrate my first weekend back to my life!  Dear Macy, you, Miss Macy, are one of the things that kept me going. I'm so excited to spend some time with you!! Your first Thanksgiving and first Christmas, coming right up!  














Dear family, you are awesome. You have supported me through all this exhausting work and have been nothing but encouraging. Even when things have been scary on the home front. So thank you.   Dear God, thank you for so many things. I will do my thankfulness here soon.  But You have been hearing my prayers and my thanks for so many blessings. Thank You for Your love! 

Happy weekend, everyone! :) And thanks for visiting!