Christmas is really over????

Wow! Well, my dear friends, I am sitting here with my head spinning wondering exactly when my Christmas arrived and how it could possibly be done and gone already! I really feel like I missed it! Where did my cookies and baking go? When did I do the shopping? When were the holiday get togethers? It seemed like the closer the date got, the more I had to do that was not even Christmas related and now I feel I've missed it altogether! I normally finish my shopping at least 2 weeks before Christmas and this year I was out shopping on the 23rd! I normally have more time for baking and making my treats! What happened?

I hope you all had a Blessed Christmas and that you all had time to enjoy it!

A Perfect Weekend....

Well, I think that this has been about the perfect weekend! Yes, we had freezing rain and snow on Friday night, making the roads very slippery and canceling plans for all of us. Yes, the freezing rain was followed by 14 inches of snow and winds gusting up to 40 mph leading to blizzard conditions and at times, complete white outs. Yes, this all left 3 foot drifts in my driveway and my Jeep was plowed and drifted in nearly to its hood. Yes, this is all being followed by bitterly cold weather, with temps in the 25 to 30 below wind chill range. How can this be a perfect weekend you ask?

All of these weather related issues allowed me 48 complete hours, totally uninterrupted with my children. This was a weekend of baking, Christmas movies, video games, silly kitties and snuggly children, laughing, talking and lots of love! What more do you need for a perfect weekend??

Like I said, an absolutely perfect weekend! 

Sickness...

Well, Sweet Friends, it has finally struck my house...the "CRUD"...coughing, sneezing, body aches, sore throat, ear aches, swollen glands and tonsils, fevers, headaches...the all out YUCK!

My poor son has been home in bed since around 11 yesterday and my daughter woke up with the sore throat this morning. I am taking them both in to Urgent Care tonight to rule out strep, bronchitis and the like. It's all circulating at the schools, so I want to get them on meds so they have the weekend to recover.

Besides, the National Weather Services has issued a Winter Storm Warning for our county for tonight and all day tomorrow with snow reaching up to 8 inches (or more, I've heard up to 12) and blowing and drifting and possible freezing rain.

Guess we will hit the Dr, get some meds and movies and batten down the hatches....Me thinks its a good weekend for baking and quilting...what do you think?

I will check in with you later to let you know how it's going...

What I am Praying For...
Safe travels for anyone on the roads.
Quick recovery for my children
That I don't get the "CRUD"
Happiness for my cousin celebrating her birthday

What I am Thankful For....
Everyone I love is safe at home...
Snow days
Cold Medicine and Cough Syrup
Quiet days at work..

Wednesday And All The Possibilities....

Hello There my Dear Friends! I know there are some of you out there lurking! Why don't you come on in and have a chat? Its cold and snowy outside and the tea is just about ready! I would love to have a visit with some friends!

I can't believe that I haven't written a post since before Thanksgiving! I honestly meant to but the weekend was so wonderfully busy with family, friends, food and fun that I didn't have the time. I didn't even do my homework or open my laptop for any reason! While it felt good to do that,  I am definitely paying the price now! I didn't get my homework done for class last night. Whoops!! I am so ready for this semester to be over. Statistics has been the most difficult class yet! I am getting a "B" right now, but we started a new topic that I just don't understand yet! I am hoping to catch up tonight or over the next few days...

I have so many pictures to post from the last few days! Thanksgiving with family, Twinkle Parades, Cookies and Cocoa while watching Charlie Brown....It really was a wonderful weekend! Just wait til you see!

Well, the weather turning colder finally. We have had a beautiful fall this year, with temps even up in the 50s this last weekend. All that changed yesterday with the temps dropping and the rain starting. Today we had our first visible snow, meaning the snow actually stuck to the grass so you could see it! ;-)

With this colder weather, it really turns my thoughts to all sorts of possibilities! I am a dreamer, so I find my mind drifting off to places I haven't been and things I haven't seen. I think of people I'd like to meet and adventures I would like to take. While my pocketbook says I will be staying home, my mind is ready to go!

I also find that at this time of year, my thoughts turn to all the things I would like to do and all the possibilities there. I long for my quilting, my reading, my writing, my decorating, next years garden and I make plans and dream and hope and pray. Someday my outside life will reflect that which lives inside my head!

Well, thanks so much for the chat! Stop back soon to see the new pictures from Thanksgiving weekend! I would love to see you again! :)

Who I am Praying For:
My son as he grows into a young man
My daughter as she looks ahead to middle school
My boyfriend as he faces the challenges in his life
My family as we work through another holiday season without my Mother
Our military members and their families
My friends that they find joy and happiness!

What I am Thankful For:
The recovery of a friend who was hospitalized far from home and returned to his family this week!
New Journals
The feelings of satisfaction as I finish my first knitting project!
The hand drawn pictures from my daughter that adorn my cubicle walls at work
The long heartfelt conversation with my son about serious topics
Health
A warm and cozy house!

Giveaway #1: Marie Madeline $50 gift certificate!

Giveaway #1: Marie Madeline $50 gift certificate!

This a great Giveaway at a wonderful site for fabric and apparel! Such cute colors!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello my dear friends! I am just popping on to say a very heart felt Happy Thanksgiving! I will not have a chance to get on tomorrow, so I wanted to make sure you all know how thankful I am for YOU!

My kiddos and I will be going to visit my Aunt and Uncle about 30 miles from our house, so no major traveling for us, but a busy day nonetheless! I send out a prayer to all those who ARE traveling. The weather in my neck of the woods isn't the greatest today and its supposed to get worse tonight with freezing rain, sleet  and snow. On this the eve of Thanksgiving, I would like to share what I am thankful for.

- The fact that God loves us so much, he sent his only son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins!
- My beautiful children whom I adore with my entire heart!

- My loving, incredible boyfriend, who also happens to be my best friend! (How did I get so lucky?)

- My spectacular brothers, without whom I would have spent many a time stranded on the side of the road
- My beautiful sister-in-law who has always been there for me for almost as long as I can remember
- My supportive father who I  know is proud of me even if he doesn't say it!
- Each and every one of my nieces and nephews. Each one of you holds a piece of my heart!
- My friends. They are always there when I need them, any time, day or night. Some of them for over a quarter of a century!
- My warm, cozy home. I may complain that it is too small and cramped, but it is filled with warmth, love and laughter.
- My job. I love the company I work for!!!!

- My health. Since I quit smoking, my kids and I have not been sick as often! Yaaa Hoo!!
- My kitties. When my kids are at their dads and my Honey has Drill, they do everything they can to keep me company. They talk to me, they snuggle with me, they make me laugh and they love me.

 

-Living in a small rural community where my family has deep roots! Five generations of deep roots!

Thank you for letting me share what I am thankful for! It isn't until we look at our blessings that we see how wonderful our life truly is!

Safe journeys and Happy Thanksgiving my friends! God Bless you all!
Love Sheila

What/Who I am Praying For:
Everyone that is traveling over the holiday weekend
My children, boyfriend, and family
Our government as they face the tumultuous times ahead
My friends mother battling cancer
My friends brother recovering in a hospital so far from home
Our soldiers away from home, fighting for our freedoms
The families that await their return

Some of my Favorite Things

I know I haven't been posting much lately my dear friends. The end of the semester is approaching for me which means my workload has increased, along with preparing for the Holidays and my children's schedules. So tonight I thought I would take a few minutes and post a few of my favorite things (besides my children and boyfriend....

Baking, especially when it is done with family!

Fall is my favorite season!

Books! Reading! See my newest stack?

My kitties!! This is Sassy, but I have Jinx too!

My latest passion....Knitting!

And of course my quilting!

Canoeing!

And Faeries! This is Twig at the Minnesota Renaissance Fair in August 2010!

So, there you have it! These are a few of my favorite things, aside from my children, my boyfriend and my family! :) What are some of YOUR favorite things?

Thank you doesn't say enough......

As the proud girlfriend of a Soldier, daughter of a vet and with many uncles, cousins and friends who serve, I want to say THANK YOU to all the service members and veterans who serve our glorious country! May God Bless each and every one of you.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them" - John F. Kennedy

Wishes and Dreams.

Hello Dear Friends, I am feeling a bit melancholy and nostalgic today. There are just days when I look at my life and inspect it thoroughly. I look at all the pieces of it and wonder if they are where they are supposed to be, if there are any missing, or if I have too many! With all I have going on in my life, I can honestly say that my life is not what I wanted it to be, nor is it where I expected it to be.

When I was growing up, all I ever wanted to do was to get married, be a Mama and live happily ever after. I wanted tons of kids (six or more) and I wanted to stay at home with them and care for them. Laura Ingalls Wilder was my hero and my idol and I wanted to live just like she did. I played house in the yard or in the play shed, sewing curtains and things for my "house". I borrowed my mothers dishes and silverware to "can" and "put up" food for the winter. I gardened and took care of my baby dolls and I loved every minute of it!  How far from that dream my life is today.

Today I am a single parent, raising my 2 beautiful children on my own. I work a full time job and go to school part time so that I can better my circumstance and that of my children. All the while I can't help but feel that I a putting myself farther in debt for something that really doesn't mean a whole lot to me when held up against my "Dream". I wonder if my children appreciate what I am doing or ever will. I wonder what impact it is having or will have on their lives. Is this the right decision?  It doesn't further me in my walk with the Lord, it doesn't help me to spend time with my children while they are still young. It keeps me from that which I love to do, my quilting, knitting, writing, reading, homemaking, etc. Yet I don't want to face the loan payments yet and I don't want to quit in the middle of what I started.

I also fear that if I follow my dream, it will be too late in coming for any qualitative good in my children's lives. At 15 and 9, they have been molded and shaped by the circumstances of their lives. They are the children of divorce. They suffer daily with the pain of having parents that not only live apart, but live in separate states. They hurt and I can't help them, which makes me hurt. They have resentment and anger and I can't help that either. Their father is a born and bred "city boy". He sees no benefit to living out in the country, so far from civilization and the modern convenience. He plays inappropriate music around them, lets them watch inappropriate movies and has exposed them to a way of life that is in direct contrast to that which I wanted to teach them. He has let the genie out of the bottle in regards to modern society and there is no putting it back.

I long for the quiet simple life. The life of gardening, homemaking, and caring for my loves. My heart aches that I cannot live that life. I trust the Lord and I will follow where he leads, but I dream of someday having that time, that place, that life. A house in the country where I can have my gardens, some animals, peace and quiet and love....I love to go over to Rosie's blog and wander through. Check it out....Rosie's Ramblings She lives my dream and I hope and pray that someday, my life will resemble hers....Until then I pray that the Lord hears my cry and helps me to find the path I am to follow.

A Day in the Life....

Hi there, it's so nice to see you! :) I am taking some time tonight for me. I was supposed to have class but we are only reviewing for a test that is next Thurs. We will be reviewing on Tues. night as well, so I decided to take a night off. My kids loved it and I got a LOT done! It was a night well deserved as I am finding this semester much tougher than I ever expected it to be. I posted earlier, so not a lot to say tonight, but I thought I would share a few pictures of the evening....

Who/What I am Praying For....
My friend struggling with depression
My kids
My bestie and her new relationship
Me, as I remember my mom...

What I am Thankful For...
My kitties
Beautiful weather in early November in Wisconsin
Receiving a phone call you have been waiting for

The Mean Mother.....

So in my earlier post, I mentioned a poem called The Mean Mother. I love this poem and honestly believe in it!

The Mean Mother...
A mean mother never allows candy or sweets to take the place of a well-balanced meal.
A mean mother insists on knowing where her children are at all times, who their friends are and what they are doing.
A mean mother actually has the nerve to break the child labor law by making her children work ~ washing dishes, making beds, learning to cook ~ all sorts of cruel and unpleasant chores.
a mean mother makes life miserable for her offspring by insiting they always tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
While her children's friends are dating at the "mature" age of 14, the mean mother makes her children wait until age 16...
A mean mother produces teenagers who are wiser and stand a little straighter and taller....and she is secretly tickled to piecs when her children call her mean~
What the world needs now are more "mean" mothers and fathers.
~L. Voskuil Dutter

Sheila's Simple Woman Daybook....

For Today: Thursday 11/4/10

Outside My Window: The parking lot at work and the highway going by. Wishing I could be on that road, headed home to my children....soon, very soon....

I am Thinking: That the day has come with mixed emotions, sad, happy, excitement, worry, anticipation and love

I am Thankful For: My children, wonderful friends and heat!

I am Praying For: A dear friend as they fight their demons, my children in their life journey and my father for continued healing.

I am Wearing: Blue jeans, long sleeved white t-shirt with a mustard colored zip up hoodie and my brown Doc Martins

I am Creating: A beautiful cream colored scarf as I learn to knit and a wonderous bug emblazoned baby quilt!

I am Going: Straight home after work for the first time in weeks!

I am Hoping: That things get back to normal very soon!

I am Hearing: Room for Two sing "Roots before Branches" and the heater

I am Remembering: My Mother, today would have been my parents 49th Wedding Anniversary. I miss you Mama!

I am Learning: That I can't fix everything.

From My Kitchen: BBQ Ribs in the crockpot, mashed potatoes and veggies for dinner

On my mind: Lots of worry today. My dear friend with Depression has taken a turn for the worse. I pray without ceasing....

Words to Ponder: "Keep alert, stand firm in  your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.:" I Corinthians 16:13-14

One of my Favorite Things: A set of brand new pens in beautiful colors, pink, aqua, purple, green to use in a new journal!

Plans for the next few days: Tonight, make Apple Tartlets and go through all of Baby Girl's clothes to determine what fits, what doesn't, what she needs and what we can donate. Tomorrow, take the kids to their dad and then celebrate Paul and I's 5 year anniversary! The weekend is wide open and kid free, just him and I!

A Picture to Share:

My mom on the left and my Aunt on the right. I miss you Mom!! Thinking of you today!

Week In Reveiw

Hello! Welcome! It's so good to see you again! I hope that you are finding God's blessings on you and yours! It's been a wonderful week and weekend here in Wisconsin. The weather has straightened out and we are back to having our beautiful fall weather. It was rainy earlier in the week, but the last few days have just been gorgeous! I can't believe that tomorrow is the first of November. 

I have been so blessed in my life and I am feeling especially so this week. I just feel that God is really working in my life right now and that He is really having a hand in all that is in me and my life! What an amazing feeling! I wish that everyone felt this close, this cherished by God! As you will see in the rest of my post, it has been a really busy week at our house and it could have been incredibly stressful, but by God's grace, it was one of the best weeks I have had in a long time! 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I really want to recap this week for you! It really has been so very busy, but so very blessed. On Monday, my son and niece (who is more like a daughter) had their Marching Band Review Concert. This is the concert where the Marching Band plays all of the songs that they performed during the football half time shows all fall. It is a fun concert to watch as all the special clubs (color guard, poms and twirlers) perform as well. 

On Weds, Hailey and I went over to my brother and sister-in-law's house to carve pumpkins. It was the first time in months that I have been able to just sit down and visit and enjoy time with my family. We have always been so close, with my sister-in-law more of a sister than someone just married to my brother. I have so missed our time with them. Their kids, Jeff and Becca are more children to me than nephew and niece and my kids feel like they are more siblings than cousins. It is such a blessing to know that they care for each other so! I believe that this night was the turning point for my emotional upheaval. It was the night that made me sit back and take stock of my life. I realized that I need to have that time with my family in order to feel complete, to feel centered and grounded. I need it in order to feel like all is right in my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course I had class on Tues. night and Thurs. night and Friday night and all day Sat. but boy was Sunday a complete blessing! We got up and went to church where we packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child during Sunday School and the sermon that Pastor gave hit me right in the heart! It was like he was speaking directly to me! Then it was home for a relaxing afternoon, making homemade beef stoup and rolls for dinner and then off to trick or treat with friends! :)

Well, thank you for spending a few minutes in my little corner of the world. I pray God's blessings on you all!

Who I am Praying For:
Nicholas, for his continued recovery
Nicholas' parents and sisters for strength and comfort during Nicholas' recovery
Paul, for his healing
Paul's children in their needs and growth
My children
My Father and his continued healing and recovery

What I am Thankful For:
God's touch in my life
Renewed Relationships
Children
Friends and Fellowship