Moving On, for now

Fall is on it's way, I heard it's cool whisper the other day.....the sounds of autumn danced inside my ears.
It has been awhile my creative and lovely friends, since I have written. Still walking through major life changes. Sometimes I am accepting-walking one foot in front the other-and other moments if I take the time to even dream of holding the hands of my girls when babies or visit how things change and time moves on I fear that I could drown in that river of my tears. How did all the yesterdays get so far beyond my reach? Yes, my girls are still yet little, but not as little as they once were and how fast time marches on. My oldest will be 24 this month, I think of this too as the youngest attends 1st grade all day.

Above, the 2 youngest on their first day back at school. That same day I started my first 3-day work week. Too nervous and busy to cry over life's changes. I am also working on a few more "swaps", fall & Halloween. I had to, in my feelings of sadness, do something to brighten things up. SO, a couple weeks ago it was that time for a trip to the beauty salon...a rare treat. And decided for a change, my hair was growing out its long ago last cut and shoulder length for sure....I braved a shorter cut, for now anyways. Tried out my $5/yard sale tri-pod w/my camera to give you a view of my hair cut.

I was "pony-tail" girl (and "pony-tail" girls, you know who you are) so often and as you can see, that is not happenin w/this "DO"....which causes me to be w/a style most days. (sometimes I miss "pony-tail" girl when I have my busy schedule). Below is a photo of what my lovely & generous friend Kathy from Country-Chintz sent me for our "Pinkeep" swap that Viv hosted at www.vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com

As you can see, if I was a gambling gal, this could be called a "jackpot"...for she sent me such lovely things I could not fit them in a photo if I pulled out all the great tags/etc...that came along with the Beautiful Pinkeep she made me!! Thanks Kathy for your wonderful surprise package full of tags/magnet/trims/images/altered journal/paper weight, etc... And, I made another great friend along the way, two gifts in one!!!

Here is what I made. A rose-bud pinkeep w/a strawberry cushion.

I leave you with a bit of our summer fun. A day 2/the 2 littler ones at mini-golf. (yes, finding the "teen" these days is like "where's waldo".)

Well, now that I have waited out a long time of hoping blogger would save this, since I kept getting some message of "unable to contact blogger" and not being able to save this...I am now able to save and finishing up a long night. I leave you w/a smiling photo of the littles, wishing you a pleasant night where-ever you are. It is now way past midnight and my brain and my fingers & typing are not cooperating very well. At least we have a "free Monday" tomorrow...zzzz And thanks to all who left comments to my last post (and any posts for that matter!, but especially the last one)...off to sleep, hugs & blessings to you all,
Carol

Life Changes

Hello all, I am sneaking in some more blog time before another week passes. It was recently my aunt's b-day and I had nothing to give so I decided I would try a small wall hanging. I am sure that when others look at something like this they never know how long it takes for a mind like mine to create...I have to look over all kinds of stuff to get it right and lack quick decision making skills. (if anyone has tips on that subject, please don't hold back, as that is quite my downfall in every area of life!) Not only that but by the time I finish any project, even a seemingly simple card, I have half of my craft stash all over 2 tables!!

The letter "B" for my aunt's name, she loves the color purple and green and flowers and butterflies...."family heirlooms" for her love of family.

The little "pink" symbol fairy girl for her commitment to a "cure" (as her mom, my mom-mom died of cancer), the word "hope" to remember not to give up on anything!

A home-made birthday cake pieced together with paper, string candles & glitter. "Love" because I love her lots. The definition of "family" because family is #1.

Below you will find a rare photo of the "teen" without the phone stuck to her body and somehow away from the computer! A friend and her daughters came to visit unexpectedly, her baby is soooo cute and cuddly. I had 2 surprise visits that day.
"Life changes" is the title of this post because I it changing quickly and I am not a willing person to change although I live in total chaos most of the time, does that make sense? I am changing, getting older and it is like someone just flicked that switch. Being active is important to me, I walk miles, work-out, even ride bike w/my honey a couple times a week, but that does not let you skip the aging process. The "teen" was giving me tips on dealing w/monthly problems and I nearly walked out of the room sobbing due to the changes life is bringing me. I am going the other direction now and have not wanted to tell others much as then they will somehow know I am getting older too...LOL, I guess. I have secretly, well not so secretly, wanted to keep adding to our family up until..well even now. I don't want school to arrive & the tiniest to go a full day now to 1st grade. I want all the fun times back when we could play and go to playgrounds and take naps & walks together and they would come up w/the greatest things and (sorry for all the "ands") they think you are the bestest momma ever. So many changes. Add to that 2 job possibilities: a cleaning job of apartments when people move out and an office/assistant job. Both part-time. Since I did not hear back about the first I am leaning (falling) towards the other. 3 days/week, one of those chance of a life-time jobs, yet I am having trouble imagining it again after all of these years of no set schedule. It would entail dropping DH off at work, getting kids to school, dog walked, & me to work...then reverse that at the end of the day until we ever get another car. AND wondering if this brain of mine if capable of tasks involved that used to come easier long ago (the cleaning job would be a "no brainer" you see) (boy I make myself sound sooo old) When I get stressed in the slightest I cannot think well at all. Actually this has been inevitable as surviving in this day w/out another income is increasingly harder than before. We have managed just barely for so long and sacrificed so much. Hand-me-downs & yard sales & thrift shops have been a way of life. Yet all this time you gain a great appreciation for ever little thing that comes by and faith gets you through. DH has not always had steady work along the way either since if depends on jobs being there. He does not work at a steady income job, or set hours. I suppose too, I have wanted to keep the option open to keep the littler 2 girls home and maybe home school next year & working outside the home would not allow for that.
Well, next week I go again to the one job to go over some things that they do (a broker for Life/health insurance out of his home). I am so a wreck and not gaining the peace I should be looking for. I just want to hold onto life as I have known it for the last 6 or 7 years, but that has been hard worrying over money issues at times and you cannot have things both ways, unless you play the lotto & win (which I don't) or are related to a generous millionaire (which I am not). Now that I have shared my burden with you all, there is another waiting to hear my heart at any time, day or night....time for prayer isn't it?! hugs/carol

A New Adventure

It was a day just like some of the others, except with really pink clouds. The Momma & Papa went for a ride in a borrowed car and came back with a friendly surprise for the kids

Look Kids, (well the ones that were home anyways)...come and see what happened to jump into car in a momentary lapse of all reason and sanity for the parents (especially the momma)

Yes, they could hardly contain themselves

After all the pet experiments, little as they could be, worms, ants (really noticed they needed something to cuddle with as that was too sorry of a thing!) guinea pig, fishies, an outdoor cat, turtle, and 2 short-lived kittens (no, they're not dead, just did not last at our home long)...it was time to give in, and sooner than I planned since the newer neighbor has a poodle that my girls have consistently knocked for, as if she were a human friend to play with. We were going to hold out for Christmas and they were willing to fore go some presents for man's best friend...or a kitty. Then, out of nowhere, said neighbor mentions how badly the girls need a dog (Yes, we have heard that before) and someone was looking to place a little dog of 3 years old for free to the right family. AND, yes that became us. A little Shihtzu already named "Taffy".

So, here is the latest adventure, especially for me...she is for the girls, but we all know who gets the main job of animal caregiver. I guess I musta needed some more things to think about and figure out. In the beginning she did not even know how to act w/a leash and would just sit there but we have made great strides and now she happily takes walks around the block. I know, how did she ever get those green and yellow eyes? Just must be my camera expertise, not everyone can do that ya know, I must really be advancing w/my photography skills!
Yes, you guessed it, she is trying to win my affections
Yes, lots of photos. A moment like this does not happen too often. The looks on their faces just say it all. Oh, in case you click on this last photo and notice the book in the background titled "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and were pondering all about it....we are still at the last 2 words..."poor dad"...poor in cash at times, well maybe many many times, we haven't figured out the other part yet
BUT, rich in family and precious little blessings that never ever fade!
hugs, Carol