In Other News-

We’re grand parents again!

Oma and Honey to a girl!  Autumn Roiene… Born Wednesday, July 20,2016

She weighed 7 lbs and 8 oz. and was 19.5  inches long.
Finally a girl for this Momma of three wild little boys!

This picture truly captures the energy of this One big crazy HAPPY FAMILY!
1. karate chop
2. Kick to the head
3. Finger up the SNIFFER.
and last
Two very awestruck parents!  The look on their faces says ‘shock and awe’
Congratulations to our daughter and our son in law…
enjoy the journey!
We are so in LOVE with our Autumn.
‘Til next time, be blessed!
Patricia … a very blessed Oma!

Eleven Things-

 

 

1. Grandkids—(just a few this post)

Twin-Cousins are both walking!  “Bash” Note:  Liam in the upper right corner.

Our youngest grand daughter Raedyn Jo is being ogled by Sebastyan…(a.k.a. BASH)

Vince (2 1/2 yrs) —steps ahead of The Honey!

2. TRAINS!

Train-spotting… on the road today… (Sat. March 19th)

In Branson… on Spring break (they weren’t running, so I didn’t get to ride, but it’s on the bucket list)

Again Branson …the LONG TRAIN…AND A TROLLEY. (sort of a train)

I’m having a hard time finding my groove since Spring Break… and getting quiet time for studying. I’ve been listening to white noise for studying… I found this to be the best for me… TRAINS SOUNDS –8 HRS WORTH!  (I’m enjoying the trains better than the rain, static, and other options)

3. Road Trip:

I was able to save up some cash for a trip. I surprised Honey and we were able to swing a 2 night-3 day round trip… to Arkansas and Missouri to visit his elderly aunts. These are his dad’s surviving sisters. 

Honey and Aunt Lou.

Honey and Aunt Deanne.

Honey and myself—SUN-SQUINTING in front of Bass Pro Shop. The train was across the street and we took this while waiting for the doors to open.

On the way home… I took this as I was driving, with my camera.  I love this picture. There is no filter…but I love how it captured the scenery, bridge and the iconic VW bus, which we both would love to own! 

We had a blast!  Got home late Sunday night and rested on Monday, Honey and my dad both had their second cataract surgery on Tuesday with follow-up appointments for Wednesday. The rest of Spring break was slow and steady, never dull. Oh! and while I was sitting in the waiting area, I was told by someone (we were discussing trains)  about a train only a couple hours from here in Jefferson. They’ve been closed due to bad weather last week. The Honey and I are planning on going hopefully in April. {smile}  

 

I was only going to post Ten Things… but isn’t just one more, better somehow? 

** counting pictures not subject titles

I  have to hit the books… working on math and have a test in all three subjects next week.  You’ll be seeing me around this time next week …maybe!

‘Til next time, be blessed

Patricia

All about Babies or Small ‘projects’

 

A few weeks back I mentioned one of two baby showers given for my DIL.  My daughter and I were able to attend the closest one… it was in Canton, at the Blackwell House! Beautiful museum and gathering site…

anyway, one of the ladies snapped this picture for me.  Liam attended too.  He was so good… 

Baby Raedyn isn’t here yet… but she is due anytime now!  My DIL looks like she is ready to POP!

This diaper bouquet adorned the table… isn’t it cute?!

 

I guess COOKIES are back for small parties now.  I remember when cookies were “the thing” when I was a girl.  Then fancy-smanchy cakes… and for a long time cup-cakes have been the way to go at ALL PARTIES.  But, look at these cookies… pure ARTISTRY!  (not knocking cup cake enthusists… at all!)

The 30th… the #Twincousins turned ONE year old!  Can you believe it?  No? Well neither can I!!!

Where did THAT year go?  I’m showing this invitation because I bought them off Etsy…  I bought them here… @

SabraTurnerDesigns

Great work! Great quality! Great correspondance and directions… and great price, too!  Check her out if you need invites!  I get nothing for telling you about her work, I just liked them and wanted to share it with you.  

Last (well almost last) Baby item on the list…  updates… and progress on the boys… Sebastyan is on the left… His hair gets redder by the day!  He started walking the last week before turning 1.  Liam… with slightly less red hair- has been walking since the last week of 2015, right after Christmas! They are so big and they LOVE each other.  They swap germs daily.  They come here on the same days… along with Vince and Haiden… it’s the Marx Bros. A DAY AT THE RACES most days!

… and now the really LAST BIT OF NEWS… one of the twin-cousins is going to be a big brother!!! Yes! it’s true…

 

 

It’s Liam… and Weston and Easton… they want a sister.  We have to wait and see.

‘Til next time- (at the rate I’m posting, Son and DIL may be first time parents by then)

Be blessed, and hug your babies!

Patricia

 

“Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to his way, and he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.”  ~Job 17:9

The Official update on the Honey-

Late last week I gave a brief update on the hospital visit in Dallas for The Honey… (if you’re new here… The Honey, is my husband)
I’ve had several of you continue to ask about him, telling me that you’re praying for him and for me; I appreciate that so much! More than you know.

Here is the official update:

How Things are Coming Along--

 

There is so much happening and going on in and around our home right now! I’ve got lots to say today!

First off… what a weekend! We’ve been super busy working on the camper—every spare bit of time off, we’re out there measuring and drawing up plans and cutting and screwing things together. Summer is getting into 90° temps finally; and I think we must have done pretty well insulating it…because we open the windows while we’re working and it’s not too hot in there!

 

It’s starting to take shape on the inside…though nothing is painted yet. We’ve got to add a couple of more shelf units and trim…then Honey is going to spray the inside with his compressor and air gun. It’s going really quickly now.  I’m super excited.  I’ll be posting more photos on my camper blog if you’re keeping up with it there!

Our garden is still growing!  I didn’t think I’d get ANY Zucchini from this garden. But yesterday late evening… I went out to check on all the gardening… and look what I found!  It’s been hidden all along under the leaves.

ONE HUGE ZUCCHINI!   I hope it tastes good.  The cucumbers and tomato are just a bonus!  We’re getting plenty of those!

Another thing we’re getting plenty of…?  Grand-babies!

Take a look at what I got in my text message this morning…

Yep!  I’m going to be an Oma again!  *edited to say the newlyweds are having a baby!

Of course, I’m excited!!!!

If you follow me on Instagram… I’m so sorry for the duplication.  I do have some followers here that don’t have IG accounts—and I like to keep EVERYONE informed. 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

‘Til next time, Count your blessings…

and name them one by one…

Patricia

 

Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap , if we faint not. ~ Galatians 6:9

 

Hobbling Along-

Hobble:  to slow movement, progress or action

-Merriam-Webster

Yesterday, our oldest daughter came by to load up an old weight bench set complete with weights.  She told us a few weeks back... "Mom, do NOT send that pile of weights to scrap for the county-wide clean-up-- we're canceling our gym membership and turning our game room into a work out room."  She was adamant!

Fast-forward to this week almost 3 1/2 weeks later; and she finally gets over to get them. 

The Honey was helping her load up the weights into the back of her pick-up truck... 

splat! 

He dropped one of those weights on his toe.  Not drop... he stopped to set it down and get a better grip and it fell over and landed on his toe.  45 lbs of steel.  Right on his toe. 

He was wearing flip-flops. Ouch!

It took a while to get the bleeding to stop, we got it bandaged and he is using a cane to hobble around with. 

I spent the day helping him, you can imagine he isn't getting around very well. Most likely he will lose his toe nail...again.  

He had lost it before and it 'twert perty... 

That made the rest of my Sunday... not so restful.

quote: author unknown, but so appropriate for how I'm feeling. :/ 

Earlier in the week-- I read a few bloggers were having trouble with LIVE WRITER (LW) and loading it to their blog. 

I had just posted and didn't have a problem with it. But sometime that day-- there began a problem. 

At first I didn't think anything of it-- I thought it was an issue with the new computer and the download, so, I uninstalled LW and re-installed it.  Still not working. 

Yesterday-- I  tried to load my post Talkin' Boots from LW - NO GO!  So I went to the old computer, it has an older version, still nothing. I kept getting an error message. 

CLICK TO ENLARGE! ;) 

I went to Microsoft.com in search of answers and then to Blogger Help forum-- apparently, MS and Google are working together to get it patched up and working. 

So, having not used blogger to post in a while now-- a few years, this post has sort of been HOBBLED together too. 

Have you had trouble with LW working for you?  How are you posting?  Has it come easy or not? 

** edited LIVE WRITER IS WORKING! 

'Til next time-

stay High and Dry, be blessed

Patricia

Everything I wanted--

 

If anyone asks how my Mother’s Day was… I smile and say it was lovely.

Did I have all of my children AND their families gather around and eat delicious food and bestow gifts and treasures upon me?  Which, by the way are no longer, dust collectors and novelty items—most of the time, my children give me gift- cards and consumables. Consumables in the way of candles, lotions, …gift cards. This year—none of that. 

I received flowers and the very thing I thought I wanted—Peace and Quiet.

I insisted that my daughters NOT make a TO-DO for their momma.  I understood that both of my sons had to work on Sunday, Mother’s Day.  I saw them or spoke with them earlier in the week. 

But Mother’s day came—and I’m telling you, for a moment, I had a change of heart! I missed my kids.

I missed my mom.  I had found photos of her with her children, my brothers and myself.

I scrolled through Instagram—saw pictures of friends with their families.

For a brief moment—I thought how wonderful it would be to have them ALL here. I even felt a little selfish by not having them here.

But then I remembered – the berry picking with Honey. We have a gallon so far!

 

Buster tagging along and rolling around in the field of hay!

The phone call from my dad. He got an iphone. 

The call to my aunt—Mom’s sister.

The text messages pouring in from my kids

…and a few from old friends, too!

The  old photos I randomly text to my brothers and my children.

The surprise flower delivery, from the newly-weds, while we were away from the house picking berries. 

…and the Peace and Quiet.  

There was a time—long ago, when I thought I only wanted ONE child. I was adamant about it. I was married and had 2 step-daughters, one child was enough it would unite us and make our family whole.

God had other plans.  He gave us a large family. Large at the time—not large by today’s standards.  I thought I wanted one—He planned on more. You get us together with all the kids and all the grandkids… 19 grandkids plus parents!  It’s turned out to be a large enough family.

Family that I see on a regular basis—often enough that it takes one day out of the year for me to miss them. One day of peace and quiet.

I remembered how my daughters asked what I would like for Mother’s day…and the quick response of Peace and Quiet…and my daughters made it happen.

That’s how I know I’m in the right family and why I Love this family—so if anyone asks how my Mother’s Day was… I smile and say it was lovely.  

Because it was!

‘Til next time. Be blessed.

Patricia

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If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. – Luke 6:33

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

These are from my daughter…



I’m sharing them with ALL mom’s today!


Me and my Momma—1966

Happy Mother’s day.
‘Til next time
Be blessed today

Patricia
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If you care to here is an article I wrote on Mother’s Day a few years ago.
My Thoughts on Mother's Day

Irish twins—Birthday Wishes!

 

 

Today was my oldest son’s birthday and tomorrow is my oldest daughters…she is one year older. So, he being born 1 day before her first birthday, I believe makes them what’s dubbed Irish twins.  They used to always celebrate their birthdays together.  They did that up until about 3 or so years ago—even if it was just grabbing lunch together on one birthday or another—My, how growing up changes things. They are still close and they call each other now—but I don’t know that they have any plans.  Their lives are so busy.  (they attend each others kiddos parties!)

In a way it makes me sad.  But at the same time—I’m proud of both of them and the importance they place on family—I know they’ll come back to this later in life when things slow down a bit. 

I wish them both the best birthday wishes!

They are my Mother’s Day babies—all my kids were mother’s day babies. But they were born right before mother’s day.

I also have a father’s day baby.

…and a Labor day baby! The holiday, not the act of … because well, they were all Labor day babies too. ;)

‘Til next time--

blessings!

Patricia

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Thrifted- Mirror TURNED Chalkboard

OR…
ANOTHER BIRTHDAY ANOTHER PROJECT 

*** edited to say:  I was caught this week here!  



It’s a good thing I like PROJECTS! 
It’s an even better thing to have someone to GIFT them to  AND HAVE LOTS OF OCCASIONS!
I had a birthday coming for a little girl—and a TOM-BOY at that!  What to get her?  What to make?
I haven’t had the resources to prepare for her party—in fact February came and went; and one of my LITTLES had a birthday… and well, being flu season, new babies born…lots of different factors.  His parents opted out of a party this year.  So I didn’t even make a present for him!    I bought him something and I gave it to him today!  1 month later.  He didn’t mind one bit!  He loved it.  I do have a project in mind for him and am going to be working on that one soon.
Some may think it’s over kill to make presents for people.  But most of the time—the receiver of the gift LOVES IT!


SO… back to this little girls gift!



I got up early Saturday morning and hit the thrift stores bright and early in search of a large frame—to make a chalk board.  I found one marked $12.99 – but it’s been in the store since September last year, the guy offered it to me for $9—I jumped on it!  My limit for the kids gifts is about $20—since I had everything I needed to make the conversion.  I came in under budget.  YAY~ 



The mirror was in almost perfect condition.  In fact it had a nice enough frame; that really, I wouldn’t have to do anything to; but, since it was going into a child’s room--- I wanted it to be FUN!  
I took the mirror out.  ** NOTE TO SELF—research options for SPARE MIRROR, NO FRAME!



I did all this late Saturday evening… including crocheting little flower bunting while watching British Comedy on PBS!  Cut the masonite backing down to fit inside the frame to replace the mirror. I discovered last night about 11 pm—I was out of CHALKBOARD PAINT—so I used Clark and Kensington (primer- plus paint)  in black, dries flat. Worked fine.
FOR THE FRAME:  Painted it TURQUOISE/ AQUA  with Valspar paint sample (by the way, those little jars of paint- go a LONG WAY!)  Sorry, I’m not sure of the color, I bought these off the Ooops! Paint shelf at LOWES.
WAXING THE FRAME:  I mixed Minwax Finishing Wax and paint 

• 2 tsps of NAVY BLUE VALSPAR paint sample
• 1/2 cup Minwax Finishing Wax

RUBBED IT ALL OVER THE FRAME—let dry a couple of minutes ( I was working under a fan so it went fast!)
Buffed it to a shine…

• Added tray for chalk and hooks for the bunting and the matching soft eraser—another use for crocheted scrubbies!

Wrapped it up and away we went to the party!







Do I have to even tell ya?!   She loved it!
Gift giving is fun!  Making and personalizing a gift to suite someone’s taste--- is LOTS of fun.
Having the gift ready and set to go DAYS BEFORE THE PARTY? 
I have no idea what that’s like.   If it weren’t for the LAST MINUTE AROUND HERE… nothing would get done.  It’s true. 
I didn’t jump in the bounce house, or kill the Piñata… but I did get my picture taken in the Ninja Turtle Cut out…

See if you can tell which Ninja Turtle I am? 



‘Til next time, be blessed!
Patricia
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linking here:

 

:: Back to Work and Pass-the-Baby!

This week our Oldest daughter returned to work. That means back to work for us—now instead of 2 children during the day we have 3.   We’re working on a new routine. I say “We” because The Honey is a big help around here—with everything that gets done during the day, including taking care of the grand kids. He LIKES kids. For the most part, yesterday and today have gone pretty smoothly.  The baby still sleeps a lot.



Vincy, on the other hand,  LIKES routine.  In fact, if we stray from it too far – he has a melt down.  So with him, our last two days have been as normal as possible.  The only change being the placement of his day bed (pack N’play)  He is used to being in the front room with us. He is used to me rocking him to sleep.  At home, Momma or Daddy put him in his bed and he talks and plays until he falls asleep.  He rarely, ever cries himself to sleep.  Now, after being home with momma for 6 weeks; he comes here and his bed is in the guest room After today I think he will be fine.  When he wakes—he stands and says “Oma”  and jabbers or he’ll say “Hunna”   it’s the cutest thing!  He’s adapting well.

For his baby brother—it’s eat, change the seat cover and sleep.  He likes to open his peepers and have a look around, when he feels well.  His tummy gives him problems.  We’re still making adjustments to his eating, burping and bottling habits.  I think we’ve almost got this one figured out… then he gets another issue.  He’s only 6 weeks old—so it’s touch and go, still.

Big sister? 
Well, I home school her. So—while Vincy sleeps. We work her phonics and math in pretty quickly.  The reading and drawing and table work she can do at other times… but the instructional part has to be done as soon as the boys are BOTH ASLEEP!
Thank goodness—she is eager!

It helps for her to know that after school—she gets to pick an activity. Today, it was make cookies.



She wanted to make ‘Boiled-Cookies’.  We call them Boiled Cookies but if  you GOOGLE OR PINTEREST—type in NO-BAKE COOKIES. 

It will pop up everywhere!  This is the recipe we use--

 

The kiddos love them and so do the adults… be careful, YOU CAN’T. EAT. JUST. ONE! They’re so addictive… ;)

Anyway-- Our other daughter lives next door. In the morning she comes and brings Easton and her New little one


and we have ourselves a good ol’ time playing pass the baby!  While Bree and Easton  get a little play time and I load up on coffee! 

That’s how it’s going so far, with the kids, the rain, the snowy cold weather and  the house (to sell or not to sell)  I haven’t gotten one seed planted. I’ve not looked at getting new chickens, we still have the pup litter—and will probably have to visit the humane society (no kill) as we’ve not found a home for ONE DOG YET! 

That makes me sad.  It’s a no kill shelter—but I just don’t like dealing with them if we can keep from it. You know what I mean… it would be so nice if we could find some families close by that are looking for pups!

I hope your week is turning out nicely—we’ve warmed up and had a couple of pretty nice days. Still too wet to mow—but I’m hoping this time next week?  Though looking at the weather they’re predicting more rain.  That’s ok!  We need it.

Even with all this—we are so blessed.   I hope you are blessed today too.  No matter your circumstance—find a bright spot in your day, and Praise Him from Whom ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

‘Til next time~
Patricia
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