January Rampage, continued

After the linen closet mess, I went back to folding clothes, and found myself straightening the closet. I didn't take pictures of that.

Then I started to put away the Christmas stuff, and tripped over something on the back porch, which looked like this:

Fast forward through the crazy...

It does make me happy, but I think days like this are hard on my family.

It didn't stop here...

January Rampage

We didn't make it to Streit Christmas Saturday in Salina, because little Anna had a bad cold. I had a big list of things I wanted to get done, but kept getting sidetracked by messes. This happens to me sometimes. Is it common?
I went to put a towel away and found this:The next thing I knew, everything was out in the hall, being sorted and tidied. This is not the best way to get a lot of things done.
But it is nice at the end. Once this starts, I know I'm in trouble for awhile. Stay tuned to see what else fell into my path...

Happy Birthday Abby!

We celebrated Abby's 14th Birthday a little early, so that Susan could be with us. Everyone came out to our house and we had "crispy meat", french fries, and green beans with cheese. Abby's choice. She baked and decorated her own cake. She's been our cake lady for years now. We played Wii, with only a few minor injuries, opened presents, and ate cake. I can't believe this sweet girl is 14!

Love you!

I hate the January Mantel

I hated it last year too...and then liked it a little...


And this year I hate it again.
I don't know if I need a completely new approach or if nothing will look good after the holly jolly fullness of Christmas.

New Year's Eve

We spent New Year's Eve with Dad and Abby and Susan and Steven, but on the way into town we noticed the new A&W was open! We had to stop and try it out.

Here's Matthew with the still-sealed ketchup. It was really fun to be part of their first crowd, all of the workers still trying to figure out what to do. Anna chose the corn dog bites, and I had a corn dog too. Matthew had a cheeseburger of some sort, I think. You can tell it was very tasty.

Anna had a good time with her toy, a miniature root beer mug.

On the way out we had to stop for a picture with the big bear, and we rang the bell, because "our visit was swell"

It was a fun New Year's surprise.

Mary vs Martha

Last week at BCC Jeff spoke about Mary and Martha, that same old story about the one who does too much and the one who's relaxing. I always have trouble with this story-wondering-if Martha's really supposed to do less, that's fine, but then WHO is going to do everything?

I tried the past few days to do less, but now the house is messy and I feel cranky.

In this new year, I'm going to try to do less and enjoy more, but it's hard. How do you know what's fun and what's obligation and what's important and what's not?

I took 10 blogs off of my reader. That ought to save a few minutes a day.

Any help?

Twirled Treasures

We got pretty things for Emily at TwirledTreasures, where she makes jewelery out of paper! Quilling is something I've never tried, but it sure is pretty.

(Photos from Twirled Treasures)

A Resolution

I'm usually making a zillion resolutions, but this year I don't feel like it.

Here's mine.

I will try to do more of what I know is right and less of what I know is not.

That's it.

Not measurable or clear or any of those goal setting things, but one I feel good about for 2009.

Sweet Blue August

***Etsy Again***

I was happy to find something cute and fun for Lauren. I could spend HOURS looking at all of the neat pendants at Sweet Blue August made from old Scrabble tiles!

(they'll send me a free pendant for the plug-pretty nice, eh?)(photo from SweetBlueAugust)

SheSells

***More Etsy Plugs***

I found the sweetest Linda-perfect jewelery here at SheSells.

(photos from SheSells)

I loved this shop. Wish I were more of a jewelery girl myself.

Valerie's Gallery

***Etsy Plug***

I had lots of fun shopping on Etsy this year for Christmas, and I thought I'd share what I found, now that gifts are distributed and opened.

Valerie's Gallery
I loved these little felted pots, they were even cuter in person. I want some for myself.
(photos from Valeries Gallery)
She kindly sent me a teensy pot and a couple of bracelets as a thank you!

Cozies

More fun with felted sweater bits. I made these fun ipod cozies for stocking stuffers.

Onesies

I've been wanting for awhile to try fancy-ing up some onesies, and now that there's a new girl cousin-I finally did it! I like this Ballerina one the best. I left the backs open so that they would still have some stretch-I hope that works.

I think this one is cute too, but the skirt is a touch off-level. Luckily she's too cute for anyone to pay too much attention to silly things like that.

This is really strange, but I wanted to try something with a ribbon. I think it'll be cute with some little pants, but it may just be strange.

Pinky update

Matthew's surgery went well, he's resting fairly comfortably.

Dr. said that he got it all out, a tumor in the cartilage, probably benign, pathology results next week. He called it very unusual.

He'll be in a sling for a week, then we have another appointment and physical therapy on the 31st.

Batik Quilt

I got these batiks for Jeanette in the Spring, and couldn't ever figure out how to cut them up--so I decided just to leave them in big pieces to show them off.

I consider this the front, I didn't want the ties to distract from the colors, so I tied it on the other side. I don't think the colors show up well in this picture, it really is a lovely piece in the middle.

Finally!!

I haven't been able to post pictures of all of the fun things I made...it's been so hard!

Anna told us she wanted "Ballerina Stuff" for Christmas, and Grammy Joan found me this tulle at the new thrift shop. It wasn't the easiest project I've ever done, but I think she'll like it. The bow in front is to cover up some strangeness. The back turned out great!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

The Christmas Story

Beautiful Mary

Cute Baby Jesus