Happy New Christmas Year!

Well, that should cover it.  Merry Christmas AnD Happy New Year!  This year I struggled with a Christmas post on our blog.  I didn't send out Christmas cards with the traditional letter that tells you how wonderful each of us are (I hope those reading this can feel the sarcasm dripping from the computer screen-I really do send out ThOsE letters).  Presents to family are still sitting on the office floor getting no closer to the post office.  I feel silly talking about material gifts and I feel overly personal when I talk about my Savior.  My heart is turned to ALL the blessings we have received this year with our health, happiness and relative saneness.  The true meaning of Christmas is always close to my heart no matter the season.  I thought with the new house and "easy" Christmas lists that the season would be decked out and celebrated big.  But in fact, a neighbor/friend, politely pointed out that we were Grinches on our block with no lights on the outside and even the Christmas tree lights on the inside weren't always on (this is so not like me. I've been known to sleep on the couch to bask in their glow.)  I don't know why it was different this year.  We still had a wonderful time and have been resting well (translation: sleeping in all day long).  Blake's been sick this whole week, which means I've been running to the store for Pepsi and movies so he can move as little as possible (which is really fine by me because I'll probably get sick next and I can expect the same treatment in return :)
So, briefly.  Lane is enjoying his compound bow (it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye).  Paige Georgia (she wants to be called Georgia now. Wish me luck.) is singing around the house with her earphones in.  I'm typing on my new computer (I always say, "Once you Mac, you don't go back") and Blake finally put up our bedroom curtains with his new tools.  I have to interject that I thought that when the cost per tool increased that the frustration and sweating would decrease.  I'm afraid that DeWalt can't even tame my husband's handiwork.  Which leads me to believe it's not the tool it's the tool-er. (Whatever that means.)
I'm now looking forward to the new year and organizing my life, house, office, and pencil drawer. I really like the idea of being organized and everything having it's place, but it's so much work. So I guess I'll look forward to putting it off some more. Maybe I should organize a way to organize... hmmm.

Until the next time, I am thankful for all my family and friends, and friends who wish they could be a part of my family, and friends who I consider family, and family who wishes they weren't my family :).  I've been blessed to have people who care about me and people I definitely care about. I am lucky.  May this year be full of all good things or things that are good for us.

HaPpY nEw YeAr!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

we have a few inches of snow and it is cold. School cancelled classes for a couple of days. You know the drill: snow+ice = crazy driving. But now the kids are back into a schedule that doesn't include 3 hours of Wii per day.

I am thinking...

about jewelry, of course. I have a new necklace I'm working on. Maybe I'll have it up in my shop today.

I am thankful...

for a craft room that can look like a tornado hit it. I just have to shut the door and "wala", it doesn't exist. I still want to organize it but I keep messing it up.

From the kitchen...

I'm preparing a birthday feast for a wonderful friend. (Then I'll prepare leftovers for dinner and my wonderful family. Two birds with one stone.)

I am creating...

a stronger me. This new business is pushing me and stretching me out of my comfort zone. But for once I can say it feels good. For so long my kids have been such a big focus for me. They still are, but now that school is a big part of their lives it leaves me with holes to fill in my own life.

I am reading...

(don't laugh) Us Weekly and OK! magazine. I find it completely entertaining to see what the stars are doing and how people take their pictures doing normal things. (She bought a coffee here, and went shopping here, look she carries her own groceries, etc.) I guess if I stopped reading them, they would stop taking their pictures. It's an ugly cycle.

I am hoping...

my water pipes don't freeze this winter. Some of the water pipes upstairs seem really cold. Or maybe it's my needing instant toasty warmness wherever I am. Maybe I should hope my marriage will survive through this winter--I want the heat up higher, he wants it lower. :) Another ugly cycle.

I am hearing...

my cat playing in the Christmas tree again. UGH! Don't worry though my great parenting skills are coming in handy and he has received many timeouts sitting on the stairs. (I should mention that he just walks away from me so I've started giving myself timeouts on the stairs instead. More effective.)

One of my favorite things...

SuNsHiNe. After a couple of days of snow, snow, snow, I love to see the sun shining. It really does make me a happier person. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...

I'm selling my jewelry at UHC tomorrow. Finish Start Christmas shopping. I'm saving my money to buy Blake a gift. Shhh, don't tell him.

A picture thought I am sharing...

I put up two photos to see which one I like better. Ignore my gimpy hand. These are the new necklaces that I'm working on. They are clusters of beads that are interchangeable on a single chain. I think I'll work in some leather cording on the chain for more interest with the chain. I made a really pretty "Amber Dust" cluster. It reminds me of my mom.