Tis the season...

This photo was taken during our "snow days" while we were out snow blowing and shoveling away the 18 inches of snow we received.

Merry Christmas from Kent, Ohio!

An outline of the last few days

Brrr! But isn't it gorgeous??? YES, it IS and I love the snow!

Ok, here's the scoop on my life, of late.

A. On November 30, 2010, I worked my last day at Kent City Schools. It was a terribly hectic, sweet-crazy kinda day. Looked forward to starting my retirement.

B. On December 1, 2010, we flew to Las Vegas to celebrate my retirement. Great fun!

C. On December 2, 2010, I came down with a VILE intestinal problem. Continued with the same through December 6, 2010. Not much fun to see _very_ little of Vegas and lots of the bathroom in our hotel room.

D. On December 6, 2010, I was amongst the living again. Thankfully! At least we got 2 good days in Vegas!!

E. On December 7, 2010, we flew back home to over a foot of snow! Now I'm a snow lover, so it's not a big deal and we did get home safely. I went out to clear the driveway and am now back inside warming up. Above is a picture of the "white stuff" we got!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the beauty you surround us with each and every day. It's so easy to "take it for granted", but you truly give us so much beauty in so many ways. Bless my family, hold them close to your heart and far from danger. Bring us closer as the days, weeks, months and years go by, please. I ask these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

Couple of things...

These two cuties...aren't they the cutest?

First thing, retirement! I have 13 more working days until retirement!! Woo hoo!

My job was posted TODAY. It will be on the "block" until Friday for folks who work in the system to apply. One woman (who works at the high school) wants to learn it. She works 2nd shift, so she will come in from 7 until 11 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to learn my job. She's a sweet person and I hope she gets the job.

One of the women who substitutes for me wants it, too; and rumor has it someone at the middle school is interested. Of course, we all have our favorites and (chuckle) one big UNfavorite!!

I am looking forward to retirement with a HUGE smile on my face. Going to work is difficult right now...to say the least, it's been a tough year.

Secondly, I won a raffle from the craft fair I went to on Saturday! I won a set of red Fiestaware, some Christmas tea towels with 4 matching place mats and a Fiestaware pitcher. A few other things were stashed in there, too. I really don't need (or want to keep) the dishes, so I'm looking for a new home for them.

I was up in my sewing studio last week and whipped up a pillow for my friend (the school nurse) for Christmas. It turned out really cute (super easy) and I think she'll like it. I have a lot more things planned to make...UFO's...so upon retirement I hope I can be more productive.

Time to close for now.

Dear Lord, it's been a beautiful sunny day here in Kent, Ohio. Thank you. The sun warms my soul. I don't mind the cold, but when you clear patches of clouds in the sky and allow the sun to shine through it brightens my whole day.

Bless my loved ones, near and far.

In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, Amen

Wonderful Wednesday!

This is Anna.

She's a beautiful ray of sunshine in my life. She's such a gentle-spirited child and she makes my heart melt!

What a wonderful day today has started out to be! Don't you just love it when you have the best morning?!

The bathroom remodel (and giant home-repair project) is doing well. We now have a new vanity with sink (ALSO has running water, both hot and cold at this time!!), new toilet (which works great), refinished bathtub (with running hot and cold water, but no shower hookup just yet), a new floor and a beautiful paint job with a really intense spring green. Both Ricky and I shuddered when we saw how intense the green is, but you know...it's growing on us. I think we are really going to like it!

The gas lines and water lines have been replaced, so we have more peace of mind as we remain in an older home. The man we have working on this project(s) is fabulous. He's been a delight to work with. It's not been a continuous job for him...he's fitting us in between other jobs, so it's not been a "quick do", but I'm a patient woman.

I'll be so glad to have this project done, but then I have the large issue of "tossing" crap out! We are really going to get rid of stuff!

Well, I'm off for now, on to enjoy my wonderful Wednesday and all the great things that will be happening!

As my friend Dave just said to me...Love, Peace and Chicken Grease!!

I'm in the market and would like some ideas, please

I've got a little bug. Nothing serious, but I've been bitten by the "thinking about shopping for a new sewing machine" bug.

I have my original (44 years old, now) Singer Touch and Sew that I don't use much anymore at all.

I have a super favorite for most of my sewing and my embroidery. It's a Brother and I love it.

I have a Janome that I use for machine quilting, and that's the one I'm thinking about upgrading. I have folks who tell me that there is nothing like a Bernina. Others have their favorites and I'd like to know what you think. I really want to be able to free-motion quilt with the new baby I'm considering. That is the MOST important thing I think that I want.

I'd really like to hear from you and know what YOU think and why YOUR machine is the BEST machine.

Friday

Ahhh, it's Friday, the second day we've had students at school.

Not a lot to scream about, either good or bad. I'm not terribly busy at work, and that makes my day seem long. Then again, I'm not pulling my hair out being so busy I can't think straight! ;)

Here's a picture of Treva, our youngest g'babe. She makes funny faces!

When Mimi is in charge...

This is Vivi. She's my 10-month-old granddaughter and she was in my care this morning.




I changed her diaper, left her in the family room to go approximately 10 feet to prepare a bottle for her. When I turned around...this is how she looked!!! I thought she was turning into a blueberrry (did you see Willy Wonka?), but in actuality she had buried her face into a very-soft balloon on which her older sister had drawn a tiger face with a non-permanent blue marker!!!

We were all laughing hysterically and my daughter grabbed her camera to capture this! Thankfully, almost all of the marker came of with a baby wipe!