2014 - The Year of 14 Resolutions

I don't usually make formal resolutions before New Year's Day.  I try to set small goals often and attain them throughout the year.  But, there are several goals I've had nagging at me for years now.
I've decided to give myself 14 resolutions this year - and meet them all!  Most of these goals are smaller goals that I've had every year since 2000!

1. Read through the entire Bible.  I have an app for that!  I've started several times, but I plan to do it this year.

2. Develop and stick to an exercise plan.  I've done this before.  I lasted about 10 months before I let vacations and holidays get me off track. I spent most of 2013 trying to get back on track.  I plan to include running/walking, weight lifting, and yoga.  And I want to try something new that has scared me in the past…hm.

3. Keep up with the laundry - including the ironing!  I don't mind doing laundry, but I can't stand folding/hanging, ironing, and putting away the clothes.  Clean clothes usually live in the baskets they land in after the dryer.  No more piles of clean clothes!

4. Clean eating 80% of the time.  I did clean out the kitchen not too long ago.  I got rid of refined sugars, white flours, etc.  I've re-stocked some since though.  Now that the holidays are over, I need to purge again.  We will eat clean at home and only "cheat" when we go out to eat.

5. Organize my business in a way that benefits my family.  My hobby has turned into a business that keeps me very busy.  I have been so blessed with new customers!  But I have also been overwhelmed with work-load and trying to budget my time.  I need a "work schedule".

6. This is part 2 of #5.  I need to keep better books for my business - organize money in and money out.  Am I actually making money or just breaking even?  I'm ok with just paying for my hobby - as long as I'm not losing money!

7. And here's part 3 of #5!  I need to organize my crafts.  They have taken over half a bedroom and the dining room.  I need to take the rooms back and find a way to organize my supplies and finished products.

8. I think about writing letters/cards (not emails) to people who have influenced me in some way or who need a pick-me-up.  I even have a list of people I'd like to send them to.  This year I would like to do at least 2 a month.  One a week would be ideal.

9.  PURGE!  I have clothes, shoes, kitchen gadgets, decorative items, and crafting supplies that I *might* use one day.  I'm pretty good about purging clothes every so often, but I still hold onto things I don't wear. This year, I plan to turn every hanger backwards and toss anything that isn't worn - even if I didn't wear it because I may fit in it. If I get that small, I'll want new clothes anyway!

10. Spend more time with my parents.  I see them at least once a week when I grocery shop for them, but I need more intentional time. I want to talk.  I want to write down the stories and family history they have to share.  I will wish I had done this one day if I don't do it now.

11. GIVE.  My husband is excellent at this one.  He really is one of the most generous people I know.  But I have a confession to make.  It makes me nervous.  I love that he does it.  And sometimes i get credit for it, but it's mostly him.  Now that my small business is making some money, I'd like to give some of that away.  Maybe I can give more of my time?

12. I like to read fun books, but this year I'd like to read more non-fiction.  I love to learn, so I need to read more to learn!  1 non-fiction book a month!  Any suggestions?

13. Limit media time.  This one is rough.  I LOVE Pinterest, FB, Instagram, Etsy, etc.  I need to set limits on the amount of time I spend on each of this.  I'll set a timer when I sit down at the computer.  And limit the netflix time!  EEK!

14. Nest. This one is pretty personal.  I want to take care of my family, our home, and our hearts.

The Spirit of Christmas - day 16

FINALLY!!!

We decorated the tree!!!

Between my husband, the 3 girls, and I - we have approximately 4,937,938 ornaments!  And most of them made it on the tree this year!
Since the girls are mostly grown (the youngest is a freshman in college) it is really difficult to get everyone together to decorate. We waited for the baby to get home from school to do it and I just about lost my mind looking at a naked tree for 2 weeks.
I kind of live for Christmas decorations.
Is that a problem?          Maybe.

Anyway - here she is!

If I'm honest, every year I wish we had white lights and only "beautiful" ornaments on the tree.  I'd love to add some burlap garland and maybe some bows or sprigs and a monogram tree topper.  But then when we get all of the old sentimental ornaments on the tree and I watch one of the girls put the tree on the top and see my husband's face as he remembers those little handprints, I realize just how gorgeous our tree always is.

Maybe one day I will have my "pretty tree" but it will never be as beautiful as this family tree!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 15

This was a big day of Christmas-ing!

First, I went shopping with my college girl!  I love spending time with her.  She's grown into a beautiful young woman, this I know.  But it is amazing to me every time I see her - she's not a little girl anymore!

Then we went to a birthday party for my little friend, O!  He's 4!!! Well, he thinks he is since we already celebrated, but he actually shares his birthday with Jesus!  I bet he will think he's 5 when everyone wishes him a happy birthday on Christmas Day!

Then came what has become an annual tradition.  Some of my former students dance in the Nutcracker with Alabama Dance Academy every year.  I became their teacher in 2008 - when they were 4th graders.  I saw them dance as high schoolers this year!  They've just gotten more talented and beautiful every year!

Here I am with my favorite Snow Princess!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 14

My cat's name is Squirrel.
Squirrel loves Christmas…

She especially loves her Christmas antlers!

Did I just write a blogpost to share this picture?

Yes.  Yes I did!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 13

Friday the 13th - ha!  I laugh at you!
It was a great day for me! I got so many orders done that I'm really seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
I had a big order of blank shirts come in, so I got those out of the way.  I finished some new favorites that will be offered in the shop soon.  And I even did a little jewelry making.

Then I got some presents wrapped while watching a couple of Christmas movies: The Grinch with Jim Carey and A Christmas Story.  I can't go a Christmas without seeing both at least once!

The Christmas Spirit is coming alive at this house!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 11

BUSY.

That is me!  Busy bee!  

I'm not complaining, but I'm certainly not used to having more orders than I can do in a day at one time!  I'm so excited to be doing so much!  I'd just really like to get the place clean and decorated.

It will happen….

right?

So, here is what a dining room looks like 2 weeks before Christmas when your Etsy shop is doing well!

Yup, that's real life, people.

And here is what your Christmas decorations look like when you are busy!

The boxes have made it out of storage, but the decorations haven't made it out of the box!  I did go through the boxes and find some items to donate to a family who lost everything in a fire last year.  That took away that box and bag in front!

THAT was where I found some Christmas Spirit - in SHARING!

Squirrel likes the pile.

Hopefully, the decorating will happen this weekend!  And I will share :)

And here's one cute gift item I worked on today.  It is a cupcake carrier that expands to allow for 2 layers of cupcakes.  Super cute product that I got to decorate with decals and ribbon!

the Spirit of Christmas - Day 12

Par-tay!

I've got this group of girlfriends who I just adore.

Wait - I have a couple of groups of girlfriends who I just adore!

But I'm talking about the girls I used to work with who have become a HUGE part of me.

We are the fab five - we travel together, celebrate together, and struggle through junk together.

Last night was our little Christmas get together that we do every year.  We eat and talk and exchange gifts and have a fabulous time! 

This year, sweet precious BEAUTIFUL Allison hosted.  It was a great time!

I personalized a holiday hand towel for each girl, along with a monogrammed ornament.  I was most excited about how I wrapped each one!  I used my favorite picture of the 5 of us from our last beach trip and cut s circle out of on envelope to let the recipient's face show through.

I was pretty proud of that idea :)

So, it was 3 gifts in one!  A towel, an ornament, and a photo!
From the girls I got a mug with an M on it (you know I love a monogram!), a beautiful silver angel bell, a scarf from Italy, and a sweet handmade necklace!

And I may have eaten too much.  Oopsies :)

The food was divine!  Candied pecans, Hawaiian Roll ham sammies, cheese fondue, peppermint bark brownies, cheddar bacon ranch pull apart bread, crispy peanut butter balls, and more!  I may need to detox!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 10

This one makes me cry.

If you know me, you know about my parents.  Both of them are disabled and in poor health.  My Mom was on hospice for a year and a half and has since been released.  Her health hasn't improved, but it wasn't getting any worse, so she was released from their care.
Daddy is a double amputee.  He lost both legs after an infection set in post-knee replacement surgery.
The last several years has been tough on them, and our family.  The toll isn't only physical, but also emotional and mental.
They don't have easy lives and Dad, especially, suffers with depression because of it.

Just before Thanksgiving, Daddy was in the hospital with an infection. He felt absolutely horrible and his depression was worse than I've seen it in a long time.
His infections have mostly healed, but his spirits haven't really lifted.

Until an angel visited him this week.

I'm not kidding - I believe that.

Daddy has a motorized wheel chair.  Sometimes, he will ride to the drug store in front of their neighborhood to get a few things they need.  It is good for him to get out of the house like that and it is nice that he can do that if I'm not there when they need something.
This week, he went up to the store and got milk and cat food.
On his way back home, his chair died.
Wouldn't do a thing.
Here he is, stuck on the street.
Now what?  Mom can't drive down to get him. He can't do anything to help himself.
Totally disheartening.
The sweet elderly man who lives in the house where Daddy's chair quit came outside to see what he could do. He got on the phone and called Mom. She called 911.
They are on a first name basis with Mom and Dad.
They are angels too - always coming to help if one of them falls.  And they are always so nice.  (Thank you, Pelham PD & FD!)
First, the police came to assess the situation.  Another neighbor (another angel) pulled his truck out of his garage. Then the paramedics showed up!
Now we've got neighbors, police, and medics - all being angels.

While all of these people were trying to figure out how to get Daddy home, the REAL angel showed up.

She was a young petite woman with an envelope in her hand.
She walked up to Daddy and said, "Somebody gave this to me and told me to pass it on to somebody who needs it. And you look like you need it."

Then she walked away.

Daddy looked in the envelope and it was $100.
What a sweet gift!  I don't know who she is, where she came from, or who gave her that money, but I do know that God started that whole chain of events for my Daddy.

While he isn't out of the dumps, he's not so far down in them now.

Merry Christmas, to my Daddy's angel - whoever you are!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 9

Christmas cards stress me out.  I LOVE to get them, but I usually take so long to decide on ours that they don't get sent.
This year, when I started trying to plan our cards, I made a cute card display on the back of our door instead!
Luckily, we have a metal door, so I used some red ribbon, 5 refrigerator magnets, and some tiny clothespins and made this cutie in a hurry!

Can't wait to fill it up!  It may just stay up all year.

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 8

It is so easy to get caught up in the "Spirit of Commercial Christmas."
And I am NOT judging!!!  I love Christmas songs, music, decorations, shopping, etc!
But I have been trying to evaluate myself every day.  Why do I love it all so much?  What does it really mean?
I can enjoy all of these things even more when I refocus.

JOY to the World.  The Lord has come!!!

That needs to be the center - The Lord came to earth as a lowly baby and lived as a person so that he could die for all people.

Because of His great sacrifice, I have JOY in my heart knowing that He lives in me.

Because He lives in me, I receive JOY in loving others.

Because I love others, I have JOY in giving to others.

The silly Christmas songs and the beautiful spiritual hymns bring me JOY.

Grand lights and tiny trees both bring me JOY.

Shopping for friends and family and, even strangers, brings me JOY.

Seeing what others have chosen to give to me because they love me brings me JOY.

So, JOY TO THE WORLD - in all the ways you choose to celebrate!  JOY TO THE WORLD!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 7

SANTA!!!!!
I know him!!!!!!

I got to eat breakfast with Santa, people!!!

Every year at my church, we have a huge party called Breakfast with Santa.  We eat pancakes with chocolate chips, syrup, and powdered sugar, wash it down with juice and coffee, and chase it with cupcakes and candy canes!

Santa makes a grand entrance and reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.  Then we all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Once the kids are whipped into a frenzy, we start making the rounds to see Santa and participate in different activities.

Our group got to see Santa first!  I had to sit on his lap, of course!

Kim Brantley Photography - click photo for link.

I even got the Hubs to sit on his lap with me!  But I promised I wouldn't broadcast that one ;)  It was pretty cute - Santa made him do it!

Then we moved on to the game room!  They had a cupcake piñata, some cupcake blowups, and a festive music.  The kids enjoyed running off some of that sugar!

Then came the present room.  They each made decorated a ball shaped ornament to look like a cupcake.  They they glued it inside of a silver cupcake liner - too cute!

We then visited the craft room where they painted Christmas trees on canvas.

Then my favorite part came when they made goodie bags for children in Guatemala.  It was sweet watching them each pack toys and school supplies into little bags.  Each child also got to color a card to add to the bag.

Last, but not least, came the train ride.  Each kid got a ridiculously loud whistle and hopped on board.  And then one dad did too - he seriously looked like Buddy the Elf in that tiny little train!

A lot of hard work went into that party.  I know the kids loved it, but this big kid loved it too!

After the party, we did some Christmas shopping and ran into all kinds of people at the mall.  Then we finally got our decorations out of storage.  They (and I) are patiently waiting for this weekend when we can decorate as a family!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 6

I've got some Christmas Spirit to catch up on!
Since we had so many Christmas activities coming up during the weekend, I decided it was time for my first Christmas mani!
This is my go-to Christmas nail.  I did it last year and enjoyed seeing Santa on my nail, so I had to do it again.  Plus, we were doing mostly kid-Christmas stuff this weekend and the kiddos like it!

If I can do this, you can do this!

1. Starting with clean dry nails, I painted all 10 nails with Mabeline Paint the Town - a perfect red!  I love this line of Mabeline polish - goes on well, dries quickly, and sells for about $3!
2. After the red was mostly dry, I made a dotty line down the center of the nail and across the tip - Santa's fur.
3. I used the same Kiss Nail Art Paint in black to created his belt - just s thick straight line across the center of my nail.
4. I finished up with some gold glitter polish to make his belt.

Super easy and festive!  My nails are starting to chip a little - I wonder what I'll do next??

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 5

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

Sorry, I had to let that out.

I have been busy busy busy this week.  I spent most of December 5th finishing orders and making deliveries.  It was rainy and 74 degrees - not really feeling Christmasy here right now!

Good thing I got to make some cute stuff to keep me in the mood!

Several of the items I made are for Christmas pictures, etc, so I won't share too much here.

I do love this little towel I got to put together for a friend though!

(Pay no attention to the mess behind the green towel)

I also downloaded some more Christmas music from iTunes.  

I bit the bullet and got PTXmas and it is beautiful!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 4

I'm a little late writing tonight!  I stayed up until 2  last night - can't remember the last time I did that.  TONS of FdL projects to work on this week, so I was trying to get ahead.  (I'll share some of my work soon!)

Before my late-night crafting binge, I went to an ornament swap at my church.  This is a tradition with the ladies that everyone has always talked about fondly.  I hadn't' been before, so I decided that this was the year I'd go - and I brought my Mommy!

My Mom has congestive heart failure, survived a brain tumor, and has several other health complications. So getting her out of the house is an ordeal and a HUGE treat for her!

On the way to pick Mom up, I got to drive through the arches that are up every year in my parents' neighborhood.  

I.

Love.

It.

I drive so slowly down that road at night in December.  It's just so festive and beautiful!  That put me in the perfect spirit for some holiday fun!

At church, we shared finger foods and broke each others' hearts stealing ornaments and decorative items during Dirty Santa.  The sweet ladies in my church family have been praying for Mom for years, so she got lots of sweet attention.  She had a great time!

I left with one of the most coveted gifts!!!

My friend's mother in law made it and another one like it.  I'm SO happy to have this!  It's beautiful, handmade, and simply shares the meaning of the whole holiday season!

I brought two of my towels that are listed in my Etsy shop - I hope their new owner loves them too!

I will be going to the Ornament Swap every year now!  Such fun!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 3

Today is Give Day!
I hadn't heard of it until I started seeing posts about it on Facebook.  I like the idea though - we (Americans) have been so caught up in a 4-day Black Friday and Cyber Monday that we may have forgotten to give.
So here's the day to do it.
If you've read much of my blog, or even remotely know me, you know that my heart live in Honduras at a place called Mission Lazarus.
In a nutshell, ML serves the physically, emotionally, and spiritual needy in Honduras and Haiti.  There is so much need in third world countries that we can't even fathom here in the US.  My eyes have been opened by ML time and time again.
Today, I decided to give a random gift to ML.  I also ordered a new hat :)

If you go to this link, you can buy your own hat.  Or a GORGEOUS purse or other leather good made by Hondurans who are learning a trade in order to take care of their families.  (Great gifts!!)

You can also choose to sponsor a child or provide a sustainable gift like chickens or cows to a family in Honduras. This gift does more for them than we can imagine.  It gives them a source of food and income.  It effects more than just that family - it helps the whole community.  I encourage you to at least spend the $30 for chickens!

I'm thinking about other ways I'd like to give today.  I've said that I plan to buy local, buy small, and buy from charities this year.  It takes more time and effort, but it feels great!

The Spirit of Christmas - Day 2

I'm SO ready to decorate for Christmas!  Since we are a blended family, we have some blended decorations.  I can't wait to share pieces of that with you this month.
The Hubs has a Christmas tree skirt that was crocheted by his grandmother.  It is very special to him, so he doesn't really like to put it under our real tree.  We don't want to get tree sap on it or for the crazy cat to do something to it.
This year, I am making a tree skirt out of burlap for our tree.  I helped a friend make a red and green one for her tree that turned out ADORABLE!!!
So, I bought a few yards of very light burlap at Walmart.  It was under $3 a yard, so I bought plenty!
I also used a 50% off coupon for a roll of burlap ribbon at Michael's.  It was about $4.99.
Altogether, I spent about $12 on this project!
I cut a 44' diameter circle out of the light burlap using this method from the Do It Yourself Divas.  Very simple to do!  I ended up with this after cutting the large circle, a seem up one side, and the inner circle.

Next, I lined up the ribbon along the outer edge of the skirt.  I only pinned the first section.  To make the ruffle, I just shoved the ribbon in a little fast than the skirt was going through the machine. This creates the ruffle effect.

Once I went all the way around the skirt, I sewed up the end of the ribbon so it wouldn't fray.

Then I got to work on the embroidery design.  I stressed over this one - couldn't choose.  I finally chose a font called Special Block Alphabet from Applique Corner…which. I. LOVE!

Here she is all done!!!

Squirrel approves!