I Am Woman - The Update

If you were a teenager during the 70's, you remember Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman." It was the theme song for the modern new woman who could go anywhere and be anything.

I'm a conservative, Republican, right leaning, Pro-Life supporting, Bible believing woman who struggles along the path of Christianity and believe me, some days are worse than others. Yet I heart this song and all it stands for. When you take away the labels which can be used to describe me (wife, mother, doggie mother, business owner, daughter, friend), at the end of the day, I can still make my husband's eyes roll back in his head. And I wouldn't have it any other way! I am an amazing creation - and so are you....

Enjoy ~

"Quotations"

I adore quotations. Wisdom from those who have gone before us. Humor when we need to laugh. Empathy when we think no one else understands. I go "quote surfing" on a regular basis. Just now I was reading Helen Keller quotes and was so touched I began to cry. My all time favorite quote is the one you see to the right. I feel her words deep into my soul. If I do nothing else I will be a good mother. I will strive to be worthy of the blessing God has given to me.

My father loved quotes too. Here is his favorite - he had this quotation in his office and at home:

"It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll; I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul." ~ William Ernest Henley

Try "quote surfing," and you'll find it's a relaxing and inspirational way to spend some time.

Merry Christmas!

One day late, of course! The Computer Grinch paid me a visit on Christmas morning, but today my genius hubby went to six stores to purchase what I needed, and chased Mr. Grinch away. Strange not being able to be online. I had major Bejewled withdrawals!

This week has been an unusual one. We got a total of 16 inches of snow, making it the second highest snowfall in the 70 years they have kept records. First place went to a storm which brought 18 inches back in 1950. We aren't used to that much snow/ice, and I think the city owns just one snow plow. Plow being the operative word. It's pulled by a mule and moves quite slowly. We ventured out Tuesday evening to get a few last minute things and the roads were full of all kinds of challenges. We were in a Dodge Ram 2500 pick-up, which negotiates the snow just fine.....but if you've ever done any off-roading you know trucks have very loose suspensions. I liken it to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, bucking bronco style. By the time we got home two hours later I was in tears from all the jostling around.

We had planned on attending Christmas Eve services, but this was before I knew what riding in the truck was going to be like. Then they cancelled the second service due to weather. My son ended up going with friends, to a different church, but that was fine - just as long as he went.

Christmas morning was different, too. Now that he's 14, my son doesn't have the motivation to jump out of bed at 7:00 AM and go running to the tree. Everyone slept in, except DH, who is never able to sleep in, and we had pancakes and eggs and did our stockings about 11:00.

Of course the house wasn't ready to receive the guests we were expecting at 4:30, and one gift I was making wasn't finished, and dinner still had to be made. Miraculously it all came together and we had a wonderful meal with our friends. Then we sat around the tree and opened gifts together while munching on homemade treats. With not much more than the glow from the tree lights, and looking out at the winter wonderland, it was a very special Christmas and one I will never forget!

* The Magic of the Night *

As much as I envy the people who can rise with the chickens, I was destined to be a night person. I took these photos just before midnight. I love the set of ears in the first one. Second photo is Juneau (AKA Boogie) as he looked when he followed me back inside. Isn't Boogie the most unflattering nickname for such a beautiful animal? It fits him SO well though - he truly is a Boogie. It's all about him in a BIG way.

We have a good 4-5 inches of snow, then a layer of ice, then another few inches of snow. We get these kinds of storms every few years. Right now it's 20 degrees - quite invigorating!

~ A New Creation, and Our Snow! ~

My newest little creation - a mahogany Scrabble tile pendant with a piece from a vintage necklace, or perhaps earring, one never knows. Placed inside an altered matchbox covered in vintage sheet music and black velvet rickrack. The photo is a tad blurry but I am too lazy to re-take it.

This is the view from our front door. It's very pretty and the dogs are loving it. The German Shepherd more so than the Malamute, which is odd. I hope to get some photos of them playing together in the snow. My son's youth group trip to the mountains was canceled. The roads are very treacherous so their "Snow Wars" event was held on the big field behind the church. Hubby said only the very heavily traveled main roads are safe. Everything else has a sheet of ice on it, and the snow continues to fall.

Hope you are safe and warm ~ Blessings to you!

~ Snow Day ~

I LOVE this vintage image. It reminds me of how our home felt today. Of course we did not have nearly this much snow. But the lights and the warm glow inside made my soul happy. The sun comes up about 7:30 and begins to go down a bit after 4:00. I like to look out my front window and see the neighbors' houses as they turn on their lights.

Now that we are less than six days away from the big day, all my creative switches are turned on and the rush begins. I tried to explain to my husband that I do get ideas long before the middle of December, but they are like unhatched chickens in various stages of growth. One idea is 90% cooked, another is 35% cooked, and yet another only 15% ready. Then suddenly, within the span of about 12 hours, all ideas become fully mature! I don't understand it but what can I do. That's the wonder of me.

Quote of the Day

"Oh PLEASE, be a man and suck it up! It's a scratch, from a thorn. Girls like sensitive, not wimpy."

-- my husband in response to our teenage son's kvetching about the two inch scratch on his leg.

(It's so fascinating being involved in the building of a man from the ground up.)

And the winner is......

Holli of Cozi Moments. I apologize for being two days late with this post. The stomach flu (a snow dog's) and tendonitis (mine) have thrown me off schedule. Holly will receive her choice of $20.00 worth of merchandise from our Etsy store or our web store.

I see by reading Holli's blog that we have lots in common. She is originally from Seattle, and like me, is blessed to be married to her Prince Charming. I thank the Lord several times a day for my husband, and I bet Holli does too.

I am busy decorating my home, and trying to convince my son to allow me to do some kind of small, tasteful display in his room. So far, no luck. Last year my hubby made a beautiful wood stocking holder for our fireplace, but didn't have time to stain it. Once the holidays were over I forgot about my plan to decorate it myself, altered art style. So that's on the list too.

We are expecting a good bit of snow tomorrow. I am so grateful to live in the beautiful state of Washington, with the crisp, clean air and gorgeous trees. And, some holiday snow :).

A Sharp Dressed Man

Here is a photo of my offspring that hatched. He is in his last year of middle school and tonight they have a Christmas Dessert. The lunchroom gets all decked out and gourmet desserts are served. It's the social event of their season.

He fussed about the tie being too long. He's too big for a youth tie and this is a man's tie. The only tie hubby has is a navy blue one from his Coast Guard uniform and we couldn't use that. We aren't fancy folks that's for sure.

As we shopped for the shirt and tie, my son told me the ZZ Top song named above was on his mind. Of course I'm clearly not impartial, but I think he looks sharp, tie and all!

Holiday Giveaway ~ Gift Certificate

I haven't done a giveaway in quite some time. So, in honor of the holidays, I am offering a $20.00 gift certificate good at our web site and/or our etsy store. You may choose items from both places if you'd like. We will pay the shipping, so you will receive a full $20.00 worth of merchandise.

To enter please leave a comment under this post. To receive a second entry and double your chances to win, just copy my graphic above and link to me on your blog. The winner will be announced next Sunday, December 14th at 6:00 PM-ish.

I Miss Illinois

Just checked my list of recent blog visitors and saw someone from Champaign, Illinois! Don't know who you are, but Hi person from Champaign, Illinois. My late father graduated dental school at the U of I. We lived in Glen Ellyn and Elmhurst till I was seven and we moved to California....ick. We would go back often to visit friends and relatives. Frankfurt and Mokena, I remember them so well even though it was 30 plus years ago.

My husband I have this dream of someday being able to take off in the RV, with a couple of dogs, and just meander about the country. I know I'd want to stay a long, long time in Illinois.

Bunnies and Rats and Dogs, Oh My!

These are the family photos of a dear lady named Peggy (you can click on the photo and it will open full size in a new window). A fellow Washingtonian, she purchased some knobs with rats and rabbits on them and shared with me these images. I thought they were so adorable and I asked for her permission to post them here.

What a busy household this must be! I have yet to ask her how her fur children get along. I can only imagine the great stories this family has to tell over the dinner table. People who own rats are passionate about them. They talk of how intelligent and sweet these creatures can be. I would not argue with them, but I was born with an innate fear of rodents. We are talking screaming, up on the chair, shaking at the sight of even the tiniest mouse. A few years ago we bought my son a hamster (Spunky, may she rest in peace). I tried to face my fear, but it was not to be. Fears are funny things. I have big dogs with big teeth, yet I was more afraid of that yellow fang in Spunky's mouth. Spunky did not live long and we purchased Spunky the Second. STS lived even a shorter life and we are now done with hamsters.

I think rabbits are gorgeous creatures. Years ago I began to collect them in various forms (china, stuffed, ceramic). I have well over 100 scattered throughout the house. I discovered about 12 years ago that I am seriously allergic to rabbits. Just being in a house where a rabbit had been just about sent me to the emergency room. So...no rabbits.

I discovered Peggy has a very cool t-shirt business - designs one does not find every day. If you'd like to check it out, click here.

Thank you Peggy, for sharing your precious photos!

Mom Stuff

Parenting a teenager. I liken it to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, or living with someone who has PMS 360 days of the year. On really bad days it's the Hormonal Highway to Hell. Occasionally I get a good day, a day which makes it all worthwhile. Today was such a day.

My 14 year old son has a new friend, a girl but not a girlfriend. A girl, who is a friend. She lives across the river in Oregon. He came to me tonight and told me she didn't own a Bible. He said "she is a Christian but her parents are not." He had told her to look up a verse and that is when he learned she couldn't. He told her he would send her a Bible. And he/we will. I guess I took for granted that every household had a Bible. I was proud of my son for promising her that she would soon have her very own. He is often about his Father's business - praying for others, trying to help people in any way he can, looking to God for guidance in all areas of his life.

When I think of the fact the Lord choose me to be the mother of this child, I feel both humbled and blessed.