A Satisfying Life

November 2011

2013-04-28T01:00:00.001-05:00

We Say Good-bye to People and Places

We Have Loved So Very Much...

We Finally Make a Last Trip...

With the Last Load...

We Spend Thanksgiving with Family...

We Celebrate a 60th Wedding Anniversary...

We lay a Beloved Aunt to Rest...

...and then we move into my Poppa's home...with him...

because our 5th Wheel (temporary housing plan)

is in bad shape due to weather...

and problems we didn't see when we bought it...

...and so the "fun" begins...

Update

2013-04-28T01:00:00.000-05:00

So here we are, more than a year later...

having decided to blog again a bit...

How is the best way to ease back in and bridge the gap?

Maybe a series of simple posts...

one for each month that has lapsed...

simple photos, simple phrases...

It can never express the craziness of the past year...

but it will provide a bit of continuity?

Bear with me...

In Transition

2011-11-19T14:55:00.001-06:00

Just an update to let ya'll know that we are in the midst

of major transition right now.....

and my computer is torn down and in storage at the moment...

which translates to little or no blogging for a bit.

We said good-bye to our Little Rock House this past Monday---

our closing went well and the new owners moved in that night.

We are grateful they love the Little House as much as we did.

We are spending a few precious days visiting and saying good-bye

to family and friends.....pulling up the roots of our lives here.

We are planning our final trip to our new destination

for November 23rd.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

In spite of all the uncertainties in our world,

we in America still have much to be thankful for!!!

Blessings.....we'll be back with you soon.

Odd Thrifting Moment

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

Above you see a typical thrifting scene...

someone else's cast-off's that could become your treasure.

The very odd thing for me

was when I walked into this particular store.....

that the quilt you see?

It once belonged to me.

It was made by my paternal grandmother

probably back in the depression days-or shortly thereafter-

made of thriftily saved pieces and parts of discarded woolen clothing.

My reasons for passing this treasure on

include the fact that I had kept it in a box for probably 25 years

and didn't even remember I had it until I was cleaning out a storage shed...

it is old and fragile and would not withstand the cleaning it needed...

we already have enough warm winter blankets & comforts...

we need to downsize and can't keep everything...

Before I donated it to my favorite charity,

I did take time to photograph it.

I love the autumn-ish colors and simple artistry

of a thrifted comfort from days past,

when our grandmothers stayed home

and cared for their families

by "using it up, wearing it out, making it do or doing without."

When I saw it displayed in the thrift store a few weeks after I had donated it,

I must admit I choked up and had tears in my eyes...

not because I missed the quilt,

rather the emotion of seeing my grandmother's handiwork

displayed so beautifully---as it should be!

I truly do not wish to have it back...

and I was so happy that the store had not thrown it away.

The way they chose to display it and the price tag attached

honored my grandmother's creativity and labor

in a way that I could not.

The manager told me that a customer had come in twice and looked at it,

she really wanted it for a room she was redecorating...

my greatest wish is that it go to a home where it will be loved and used!

I walked away from that store a freer woman.

I know now, that things are separate from people and relationships.

I don't have to keep things in order to keep memories...

The people I have loved and the time we have shared

will always be in my heart and my mind.

I am grateful for the photos I have,

they satisfy my desire to "keep" bits of my past

that I no longer need or use,

and they take up so much less space!

And so I am content.

But it was an odd moment...

Sweet Beulah Land

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

For your listening pleasure...

One of my favorite songs

performed by one of my favorite vocalists.

You can hear more of her music at this page,
and while you're at it,
check out their new website.

May your day be blessed!

Treasured Stitches

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

See what the Treasure came up with

---all by herself---

while I was busy packing last week?!

I didn't do one iota of the design work

or the stitchery---she did it all!

And this memoir of autumn

graces the back side of the same pillow.

Excuse the cat hair and lint

--this is no museum piece--

it was made to be loved and used!

This momma is proud as a peacock.

Not that I needed to tell you that.

Of the Big P and Me

2011-11-08T11:09:00.001-06:00

Now, I am NOT a feminist,

nor do I feel a need to prove my "masculinity".....

but from the moment I climbed up the running board and looked inside

the big yellow truck whilst it was sitting in the lot before we rented it....

the scent of brand-new interior wafted my way...

(the truck only had 17,000+ miles on it)

then I sniffed the fragrance of diesel exhaust.....

(yes, I think diesel exhaust is fragrant!)

.....I WANTED to drive that truck!!!

The Man only rolled his eyeballs at me

when I ventured to mention my desire.

I finally got my chance.

Here I am, all dirty, tired and very un-photogenic...

but I had to document the moment for all posterity.

(I gave the Treasure the camera and let her fire away.)

The Man let me drive it on the country back roads,

and when he finally determined that, indeed,

I COULD drive it without mishap,

he turned the keys over to me for the hour-long trip

back to the big city when it was time to return it.

What he didn't factor in was that we would get lost

in that big city trying to find the return place.....

but I am happy to report that I did ok.

Didn't run over anyone or bump into anything.

And I had a BLAST!!!

Nothin' causes rubber-neckin' quite like a little old woman in a skirt

drivin' a big old diesel 5-speed-automatic...

(though I'd have loved it more if it had been 5 on the floor!)

View from the Treasure's seat.
She loved it too!

Never underestimate the ability of an old farm-girl

who grew up driving battered four-on-the-floor's

long before she was of age to have a learner's permit.....
I like to think of it as celebrating the richness of fully-embraced
femininity.

Thanks, Honey.

I owe ya one.

We're Back

2011-11-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

These cottonwood trees at my poppa's place have been my friends since childhood.
I was so blessed by their autumn beauty the past few days.....
so I wanted to share it with you.

A BIG thank-you to all of you who have been

praying with and for us the past few days!!!

We can tell.....it is an amazing thing

to be covered by prayer.

A peace that surpasses understanding.....

We were able to load the big yellow truck and drive to our new location

on schedule, with only a couple of minor difficulties that were soon remedied.

A friend at our destination called the day we left and offered to help us unload...

we would never have made our next deadline without his help,

so a big thank-you goes our to Mr. Y!!!

We were able to get the big yellow truck back to its required destination on time,

although we got lost in a not-so-great part of a very big city.....

we finally found the right spot, and were very happy to park it there.

After a day of rest, we loaded up and headed back to the Little Rock House.

We had sore muscles, but no major injuries.

For some reason, Blogger decided to load this photo upside-down...
but even unusual perspectives can be beautiful!

Our return trip was a good one,

with the exception of four deer who decided to cross the road

just after dark.....just in front of us.....and stopped to stare at our headlights.

There were no shoulders to the back-road we were on,

and a bridge loomed just beyond the deer.....

the man was considering taking to the ditch

(we were pulling an empty trailer)

but stomped the brakes and squealed the tires.....

fortunately the noise

(or was it an angel?!)

spooked the deer enough

that they took off running again

and we were able to pass on by without harm.

How grateful we are.

Again.....

we THANK YOU for your prayers!

May your day be blessed!

~~~~~~~~~~

(P. S. It has occurred to me that my ramblings

may not be all that clear to some of you.....

so let me try to explain:

We are selling our Little Rock House where we have lived for 22 years,

in order to move to another state where my parents live.....

my momma in a nursing home and my poppa alone on his farm.....

they need a lot of support at this time of their lives.....

we are going to ~~live~~ camp in a 5th wheel on my poppa's property

until we figure out what to do next...

it is a big leap of faith.....

but we know it is what we are supposed to be doing

and the way will open and be made clear

one step at a time.....

it is a journey.....and an adventure!

We just took the "mother-load" of our belongings

to our final destination,

but we drove back to the Little Rock House

in order to finish cleaning up in preparation for

closing day...

which is scheduled for Nov. 14....

so we won't be completely moved to our new location

for a couple more weeks.

Whew. Hope that made sense!)

Another Blogging Break

2011-11-03T09:55:00.000-05:00

I'll be taking another blogging break for a bit...

This big yellow truck that is sitting in my driveway

is demanding all my time and attention for a week or so.

If you are a praying person...

would you pray for us?

For:

*safety from injury as we load and unload

* safety as we travel several hundred miles over the next week

Thank you!!!

I'll be back asap.

Shimmer: A Solitudes Ambient Experience

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Graphic courtesy of Amazon.com

This is my latest favorite cd for rest and relaxation.

You can listen to samples of the sound tracks

at this LINK.

Relax and enjoy!

Fort Sumthun

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

In my opinion, thinking about moving is far more fun than actually doing it.

That's because we have TOO MUCH STUFF!!!

Which problem I am working on...and on...and on.

Meantime, as I plod away at purging and packing, I frequently hear,

(in a whiny-Treasure's-voice)

"Mama, I'm bored. I need sumthun' to do."

In another of my (many!) opinions,

I think boredom can be a good thing.

It inspires creativity.

Give a bored Treasure a mountain of newly-taped packing boxes...

a few blankets or other warm woobies...

lots of empty floor space...

a wary kitty who can still be bribed with tiny treats...

and you come up with.......

Fort Sumthun'.

(Several hours of creative play for the Treasure...

lots of attention for kitty...

and several hours of P&Q for the momma.)

Ain't it Sumthun' how often it is
the simple things that are most satisfying?

Old Homestead Tales

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Treasure adores these books,

as we discovered when we found an ancient copy of

The Mallards and Their Neighbors

a few months ago, while visiting my dad.

My momma was (and still is) an avid reader,

and it is a joy to go back to my childhood home

and pick up books from her shelves that I loved way back when

and share them now with our Treasure.

I don't remember reading the Mallards book when I was growing up,

so it was a fun read for me too.

The Treasure begged me to see if I could find the rest of the books in the series,

and I was fortunate to learn they are in print again.....

so she recieved the set for her birthday recently.

These read-alouds are a great supplement for Nature Study,

as they give the reader much information about each creature in story form.

The Bluebirds and Their Neighbors (1930) will encourage you to watch for God's creatures around your own home. These "Old Homestead" animals may very well live near you too. Sharpen your awareness of neighborhood animals through laughing Robin Red & Tattler Jay.

The Mallards and Their Neighbors makes learning about nature fun. The author, Neil Wayne Northey, describes the wonders of wildlife around the pond in a simple, understandable way. Character lessons are taught throughout each chapter. Elementary students through adults will enjoy this story of the life cycle of mallards and their friends.

Neil Wayne Northey continues to teach us principles of right living in his book, "Paddletail the Beaver and His Neighbors." The animals around Wildwood Pond are more timid, but help us learn to be open and caring, and show good manners, no matter where we live. God can teach us about ourselves through studying His works of nature.

"Wild Creatures in Winter" introduces animals that live on the Old Homestead during the wintertime. These creatures teach us to practice thriftiness and to work now and be prepared for the future. Most of all we can learn that God made the animals and loves them just as He loves us.

In "Wild Animals of Africa" Neil Wayne Northey, author of "Old Homestead Tales", brings the animals on the Broad Plain to life. Some of these creatures are strange looking, act strange, and eat strange food! We may meet strange and different people. The author advises us not to judge too soon by what we see and hear. Many lessons can be learned from God's animal creation.

Author isNeil Wayne Northey,

and the best price I was able to find is HERE.

A Comment Form Trial

2011-10-30T18:42:00.000-05:00

For you sweet blog readers who have tried and tried

(unsuccessfully)

to leave comments here...

I have added Disqus on a trial basis

as my new comment form.

Give it a try so I can know if it works or.....not.

Thank you kindly,

Missuz C

A Dome Home

2011-10-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Street-side view of the Dome home.

We enjoy perusing unusual housing alternatives and

recently had opportunity to attend an open-house featuring

a monolithic dome home.

The cost of this type housing is about the same as traditional stick & frame,

but because the insulation is on the interior of the home,

it boasts a higher energy-efficiency.

(Edit!!!---the man informs me that I was too busy ooohing and ahhh-ing

at the decor and taking photos to pay close enough attention

to the construction details..... ;D.....

So here is the corrected version:

The interior of the dome is concrete,

and the high-R-rating rigid insulation covers the outside.

This enables the concrete mass of the home

to collect heat and maintain it so that even if power goes out,

interior heat is lost very very gradually.

This also results in very low utility bills.)

The shape of the home is reported to be exceptionally stable

in turbulence such as hurricanes or tornadoes as well,

which makes it an attractive option for some folks.

Enjoy the photo tour...

Entrance door to dome house, with carport on right.
I like how the carport does double duty as a patio
for outdoor hospitality.

Living and Kitchen half of the home.
The entry door and Dining area is to the left, just out of camera-shot.

Dining Area

Kitchen

Another Kitchen shot

From Kitchen end, looking into Living area.
Entry door is on right, dining area is even further right,
once again out of camera-view.

Bedroom side.
There is a large walk-in closet out of view to the right.

Bedroom side looking into the bathroom.
Note the white frame above the doorway:
access to attic storage space.

Looking into bathroom: unseen on R is toilet and laundry stack;
on L is shower/tub unit.
The yellow wall shelf is removable to expose the hot water heater.

Shower side of the bathroom.
There is an extra sink in the bedroom area.

Toilet and washer/dryer stack in bathroom.

For more images and information on Monolithic Dome homes,

check out the link HERE.

How to Make a Simple Knitting Journal

2011-10-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Another organizing project I've been wanting to accomplish

for far too long is a knitting journal.....a book to keep/record:

*skein labels & garment care instructions

*pattern notes and changes

*yarn swatches

*needle sizes used

*photos of completed projects

*stitch directions

*lists of projects I have stash in hand for

I know you can purchase pre-made knitting journals,

but I'm a free spirit and wanted to make my own and

not be limited by someone else's pre-printed parameters...

Neither did I want to spend much.....

nor wait long.....

Fortunately, I ran across a post at

Homespun Living by Deb, and one of her photos

(fourth photo down on this post)

made my creative juices flow.....

(Thanks, Deb!)

And here is my result: quick, simple, inexpensive

free knitting journal instructions.

Take a 94 cent composition book, in your favorite color,

from your favorite discount store,

and while you're there, pick up some cardstock to match your book.

Do a Google Search for graphics of your choice...

I think I typed in "free sheep clip art."

(Or just go here to find the graphic I used.)

Grab you favorite image and copy and paste it into a document,

play with the size, add a font you like,

then print it out onto cardstock.

Cut and trim to your heart's content,

(I layered mine because I liked the look)

then glue it on the cover.

I considered decopauge-ing the cover,

but went with clear contact plastic instead.

(Applied after I took these photos...)

And there you have it.....

200 or so pages to doodle away in till the ewe's come home.....

all for a couple of bucks.

No pun intended.

Looking for Color

2011-10-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

We went for a short road-trip last weekend,

hoping to view some autumn glory,

but we were a few days too early.

The foliage has just this week hit its peak.

It was fun to soak up the rich colors while running some errands yesterday.

Love, love, love how the rain intensifies the colors!

Hope you are squeezing the last drops of goodness

out of autumn wherever you are!

Organizing Knittin' Sticks

2011-10-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've wanted and needed make a knitting needle organizer

for years, and this is the year!

I was totally inspired by this post from Deb at Homespun Living---

and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one for me!

(Thank You Deb!)

Above you will see the one we created for the Treasure,

and below is mine.

I made a few changes to the online directions for making this that I found HERE.

1) I decided to make mine wider, it measures 36" wide by 10" long,

as I use some larger needles.

To do so, I purchased a yard of 60" wide canvas.

(Hancock Fabrics, $9.99/yd)

I cut it in half so I had two pieces, each 30" x 36"

and followed the pocket instructions at the link above.

From L to R, here are the pocket sizes I chose to make:

(1) 2" pocket for scissors

(1) 1-1/2" pocket for crochet hook

(6) 1-1/2" pockets for sizes 1-6

(2) 1-3/4" pockets for sizes 7 and 8

(3) 2" pockets for sizes 9 and 10 and 10-1/2

(4) 2-1/2" pockets for sizes 11-14

(1) 3" pocket for size 15

2) I didn't care for the raw edges on the ends of the original, so chose to finish mine with seam binding.

3) I wasn't able to find 1" wide twill tape, so used 1" cotton seam binding instead.

4) I used a doubled tie on the end instead of single--makes it easier to tie.

(see photo directly below)

I also made a couple of mistakes.

Live and learn.

I got distracted and forgot to mark one pocket for my 10-1/2" needles,

and ended up with a '16' pocket.

(I don't own size 16 needles.)

Eventually, I will find some iron-on tape, cover these numbers with it,

and reprint them.

And when I do, I will NOT use pigmented scrapbooking ink--

I noticed it rubs off on the back when rolled up.

One more thing--

when you go to print the numbers on,

make sure you clean the ink off that gets on the stamp around the numbers,

otherwise you'll end up with the "look" above.

Thankfully, the Treasure isn't a perfectionist

and so she doesn't really mind.

Imperfect though it is.....the price was right

(about $6 each)

and this little organizer makes my heart sing!

With that task accomplished,

my sticks are now hot---working on projects!!!

Apparently, A Problem Exists

2011-10-25T11:18:00.003-05:00

A couple of you sweet readers have notified me recently

that there is a major problem with the "comment" section

on this blog.....it is not cooperating and won't let most folks

leave their thoughts and ideas.

I've checked the settings on my end,

and everything seems to be in order.....

so I apologize, I am at a complete loss.

Are any of you out there smarter and more technologically savvy than I?

Do you have any experience with similar problems...any suggestions?

I am all ears!!!

Meanwhile, at someone's request,

I have added two options to the sidebar on the right,

providing the options to follow by email or subscribe.

Until I can figure out what the problem is

and and take measures to correct it,

I hope the extra options will soothe frustration.

Yours, that is---but probably not mine!

Blessings, and

Thanks for stopping by!

Missuz C

Who Knew???

2011-10-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

Not two miles from my Poppa's place

(where we are moving to)

we recently discovered a field of this!

Cotton bolls.....growing in the Heartland.

Who knew???!!!

Tea for Two

2011-10-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Treasure loves tea-time with mom,

and she orchestrated this one all by herself.

"Breathe Easy" tea and corn nuts.

Smile.

The Birthday Table

continues to metamorph

and makes the perfect setting.

Such a big girl she is.....and what joy she brings.

I am blessed among women.

The ABC's of Life

2011-10-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a gorgeous autumn display we found

while at our favorite natural foods store this past week...

I liked the message displayed front & center on the mantelshelf.

(As always...take what you like...leave the rest.)

Under Contract

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Little Rock House

We are under contract---

Praise the Lord!!!

If all goes well,

our closing date is scheduled for November 14.

Keep those prayers on our behalf rising, please!

(and Thank You for taking time to pray!!!)

Poppa & Momma

2011-10-20T11:25:00.000-05:00

I know they're mine.....but I can't help it:

Aren't they sweet???!!!

He grins.....she glows.

How blessed I am to have had them all these these many years.

Still together after almost 60 years of marriage.

Sweet.

SWEET , I SAY!

Minimizing the Year-Round Wardrobe

2011-10-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,
which today is, and to morrow is cast into the oven,
shall he not much more clothe you.....?
Matthew 6:28-30

Back in early spring, while looking on-line for inspiration

(and motivation) to do more purging and de-cluttering

in order to fit the stuff we use in our every-day lives into a fifth-wheel,

I ran across Project 333 and decided to try it.

The challenge of the project is to limit the clothing in your closet to

33 items which are to be worn for 3 months.

After 3 months, you can choose another 33 items,

which allows for change of seasons, etc.

The purpose of the challenge is to simplify one's life,

by determining what one truly needs,

and give one pause to reconsider spending habits.

(For details on "rules" of the challenge, see link above.)

Now, I'm not really keen on displaying

all the innards and unmentionables of our closet.....

but as I am grateful for those who have shared

their photos and challenges of their journey.....

(and because a few of you have asked.....)

here's my contribution in hopes of encouraging others considering a similar path.

Here is our closet when I was just starting Project 333.....

.....and here is the stuff I had just pulled out of the closet,

hence the bare space in the photo above.

(Please forgive the poor quality cell-phone photos--

my camera had an accident.)

I tried every single item on and got rid of everything

that did not fit or did not make me feel good

about how I looked while wearing it.

I also put much thought into what pieces I really needed,

and how to mix and match those remaining things to prevent boredom.

(Turns out the boredom is MY problem.....

nobody else really cares what I wear!)

Here is the same closet after purging it

for spring/summer Project 333.

(The top half is mine, bottom half the Man's.)

The pared-down wardrobe worked very well for me,

but I was quite intrigued that I still didn't wear every item

in the 3+ months of the challenge.

As you can see, when I put my 33 choices back into the closet,

I put all the hangers in backwards.

Three months later, it was very easy to see what had been worn

and what had not by looking at which way the hangers were left hanging on the pole.

After noting how many clothes I still was not wearing,

and then reading about

36/365: A New Fashion Project inspired by Project 333

and decided I was up to taking on a new challenge.

When the heat of summer finally broke,

and I was inspired to open up the stored winter clothing,

it didn't take me very long to pull out my favorites

and fill all 36 hangers.

So, (because you asked,) here is my "Wardrobe of 36"...my choices at present.

Far left (above, partly hidden) are "dress" clothes & winter wraps.

3 Drawers=unmentionables, jammies, workout wear, xtra sheets, etc

Everyday wear (hanging)

Shoes (some in boxes, some on floor)

(Black travel bag on shelf is for personal toiletries)

(#36=)Black bag on top of shoe boxes is backpack/purse.

Everyday & casual:

1= Denim jacket/blazer

2= prairie skirt

3= prairie skirt

4= drab green skirt

5=denim skirt, A-line

6=denim skirt, straight

7=~~denim skirt~~ linen khaki skirt, not pictured

8=white short sleeve t

9=gray short sleeve t

10=black short sleeve t

11=brown peasant blouse

12=blue button-down shirt

13=red 3/4 sleeve t

14=brown long sleeve t

15=black long sleeve t

16=plum long sleeve t

17=green long sleeve t

18=red 3/4 sleeve t

Shoes:

19=Brown Cowboy boots

20=Black boots

21=Black flats

22=Blue teva sandals

23=Black sporty Mary Janes

24=Brown Mary Jane slide-ons

The only things that "count" for this challenge

in the 3 drawers shown above

are the scarves, bottom right.

And at present, I'm not counting them.

I wear them so rarely.....I'm waiting to see what or if I actually use them.

(I also have a black and a brown belt that are rarely worn...

I'm not counting, yet waiting on those as well.)

Winter Warmers on left:

25=Down Coat (which will be replaced with a black knee length one

when I find it.....it is "lost" in the moving process at present.)

26=Green wool cardifan

27=Snowflake wool sweater

28=Blue wool cardigan

Dress clothes (for church, weddings, funerals)

29=teal sweater

30=red sweater

31=black cami

32=black cardigan sweater

33=black skirt

34=black ballerina dress

35=denim dress

(#36=)black bag, listed above

In top-of-closet storage are 3 hats:

gardening hat

cowgirl hat

straw bonnet

I rarely wear any of these, excepting the gardening hat,

but am keeping them around just the same, for that occasional event,

or until I'm ready to pass them on.

And here's the remains that will go to temporary storage.

I hope to be able to let all of it go within the next few months.

So these are my choices for now.

If something isn't working, I will trade it out for something that does.

My goal is to permanently downsize my wardrobe to (around) 36 items,

to cover four distinct seasons.

I am challenging myself to choose contentment and humility,

instead of always acquiring more out of boredom or prideful vanity.

I truly do love having an abundance of space

rather than an over-abundance of things.

Here are some of my personal parameters that have helped me make my wardrobe choices:

(My clothing choices are personal and reflect my way of living.

Your choices will doubtlessly be different, and I'm perfectly ok with that!)

~~I 'm definately NOT a fashionista,

nor am I afraid of the fashion police.

I don't follow fashion fads, but rather,

I base my choices on principle and personal taste.

~~I live a home-based, agrarian life.

(That means I work in the dirt and with animals a lot.)

~~I am a wife and mother who works at home

by keeping our home, home-educating our child, caring for elders,

and many other miscellaneous titles/roles.

~~I love wearing skirts and dresses and I love dressing modestly.

~~I don't wear jewelery...which greatly simplifies my life and gives me more clothing choices!

Our Treasure Turns Eight

2011-10-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Every year I wonder if I can pull it off again.....

This year, she helped decorate her own Birthday Table

using bits and pieces that still remain here where we are.....

I think maybe it made it even more special.

What a treasure we have.

I am so grateful for the eight years she has blessed our life!