Ornament Idea and other ramblings....

 

I saw this ornament for sale the other day.  I thought it was so cute, but look at how small that is.  You'd almost have to knit with toothpicks to create one, ha ha!  Just thought I'd share.

One window and office door trim is completely done.  In the spring, I will take that door off and paint it.  It's just not on the to-do list right now.  Anyway, I later removed all the paint tape and started on the next window.  I'm so glad we decided last minute to paint the trim.  No better time than now with the flooring not in yet.  It really brightened up the room.

I can tell you, that is has not been fun.  I never knew how many muscles were used for painting.  I have to climb the tall ladder to paint the top of the windows, and literally lay down on the floor to paint the bottoms of the windows.

The only reason I have not painted the trim around the stairway, is that our handyman ran staples into the trim to hold plastic up, so I'm waiting on the spackle to dry.  Oh, he put 4 or 5 staples in the wall to hold up wires, so I have to spackle that today too.  Just a what were you thinking moment....

I got a tall order for a crocheted blanket.  I'm hoping for some holiday sales for the yarn.

This and That

 

These finally arrived, but I have very little time to make them right now.  I have to put this on the to-do list, as I have one tube left and winter is here (lip balm tubes).

The living room is moving along, but it feels like it's taking forever.  We did pick up the gas heater for our alternative heat source for the living room. 

It was nice to be out at dark and see so many beautiful Christmas lights.  I don't think we have been out at dark in a long time recently.

I have been pretty good at making sure I stop working, so that I can take time to decompress/rest.  I am rotating my crocheted blanket with re-stocking baby booties.

It was a tough moment when I dug out the pattern for these.  Mom was my inspiration for just about every thing I made. She was so positive and motivational when it came to making new things, and she always gave me ideas that were great sellers at craft shows.  She would also bring me the best customers.

As I read over my pattern, I realized I forgot to write down my hook size.  Then I realized at that moment I could not call my Mom.  I broke down missing her. 

She is the reason I crochet these booties.  Her friend that worked at the bank with her would gift me booties when my kids were born.  When this special woman could not make them anymore, she gifted me her pattern.

I think I will start a journal, where I have "talks" with Mom, to get me thru this difficult holiday season.  She was the glue that held us all together.  I miss her excitement when she'd call or share a new crochet project for me too.

I still had the gifted baby booties in a storage bin, so I dug one out to examine and start creating.

Thanks for listening to my story....meanwhile my husband is cracking the whip on the work in the living room.  I don't think he realizes how long it takes to paint, prep work, or washing down walls takes.  He will find out this weekend though.

By the way, thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers on the arrival of our heater and flooring.  The flooring is in now and ready to pick up (a day earlier than expected).

Priming the Trim and other ramblings. . .

 

I wasn't even going to paint the trim in the living room, but after we talked about it, we decided it would brighten up the room.  I have started to prime the trim, which is slow going.  I decided to use a tool to paint edges vs. using expensive paint tape.  It is slower, but works for the job.  You can see the room is already brighter with the trim white vs. dark wood.

Good news!  I got an email and a text.  The flooring will be in this week, and the gas heater is ready to be picked up.  I guess that means I better get these windows done, so we can get the walls painted next.  I never expected to do that either, but since we had to replace the entire floor, and it hasn't been painted in 14 years, we decided to do it.

I have been a bit depressed, and not feeling like it's even Christmas time right now, but glad this project is keeping my mind busy.  I'm just used to baking, and making homemade gifts this time of year, and I am not.  Heck, I'm not even sure where my Christmas cards are, that I bought a few years ago.

I am having grave pillows made for Mom and Dad's grave.  I will post a picture of them when I pick them up.

I am rotating crochet projects again.  I think it's just because I get bored doing the same blanket every night (although I am very happy with my color rotation).  I dug out baby yarn to re-stock baby booties.  I'm working on finding a nice, but inexpensive way to package them.

I'm also looking for inexpensive clear (with zipper) blanket storage bags.  I would like to have them for when I donate the lap afghans.  I found some on Amazon, but the per-piece price is a bit higher than I would like.  I will keep searching.  Wal-mart is more expensive and their bags are a bit too big.

I haven't had time, but there is a new crochet venture I am going to start making, as this living room project comes to an end.  It will keep my spirits up for selling stuff next year.

Today will be interesting.  Balancing house work while painting is a true hot mess, ha ha!

Sunrise ~ This and That

 

I took these photos of the sunrise yesterday.  There won't be many left to view as winter is rolling in.  So beautiful.

This is what the view from the porch looks like this morning.  Foggy and raining today.  No sunny sky today.

I got so side tracked on my to-do list.  I started in the living room, but realized I need a taller ladder, so that was brought in.  I took more yarn back upstairs, but brought more down, and completely got off track with the living room.  I did however, put a roast in the crock pot, so tonight it's easy leftovers.

We are so frustrated with ordering supplies for the living room.  The delivery date on our heater (fireplace) was Nov. 30th.  We've called two times, and each time they say they'll send an email to get more information on why it's not been shipped yet (and they never followed up/called us back).  I have brought in our small electric heaters we used to use in the pop-up camper.  It's taking the chill out and heating up the room for painting (for now).

Our flooring should be in by the end of the week, but we need the gas line hooked up before we can put that down.  Just a lot of "ugh" moments.

The nail polish ornaments got hangers attached, and were delivered to the salon.  I hope to sell them, as it feels so depressing not to participate in a craft show this year.

The chickens are not liking this weather, but are let out every day so far.  The egg laying is definitely on the slow-down.  I'm still trying to convince my husband to let me get a donkey.  We are him-hawing on putting some sort of meat animal in the barn (in the future).

I used to pick up note paper at the dollar store for my daily lists, but have not seen it there lately, and I am running low.  I still cannot get into my office.  I found one notebook to use for now, so I am hoping to stay on track today.

It sure doesn't feel like Christmas in our house.  We are hoping to have a tree up before Christmas, but with all the things slowing us down, I'm not sure that will even happen.

Daughter K is sick.  I felt bad that she is so far away, and had to care for her dogs while sick.  We called to check in on her last night.  Today I will send her my recipe for homemade ginger-ale, in hopes that her boyfriend will make it for her.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 The living room walls are being washed down, and all of the trim has been cleaned as well.  The ceiling has been painted.

I actually found a craft show to sign up for, but after doing calculations on the living room, decided it was a no-go for me.  There is still much to do.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather. . .

Woke up to 26°F, today  50/26°F

As I look outside my window. . .

It's still dark out.

Right now I am . . .

Brewing more coffee.

Thinking and pondering. . . 

I think baby booties will be on the top of the stock up crafting list for now.  I am also thinking about our upcoming anniversary.  The  living room is the entire issue of what will be getting done. Speaking of that, our handy man made comments to us in such a way, that he was not happy we are painting the living room.  We decided we were not spending any more money on hiring someone, and besides that, we are staying physically active during this cold winter.

How I am feeling . . .

Cold.

Listening to. . .

-radio

On the breakfast plate . . .

-leftovers from yesterday 

What I am wearing . . .

Sweatshirt, sweatpants, zip up jacket, thick socks and slippers

On the reading pile. . .

Nothing right now.

On the TV . . .

Yellowstone

On the menu . . .

-roast, veggies
-leftovers
-have no idea just yet

Looking around the house . . .

We are gaining on the living room, but these cold nights are so stinking cold.  We have no heat source (in that room) until it's completely done, other than using portable propane heaters.  We could fire up the wood stove, but it would be an issue with painting the walls next.  

To do list . . .

-make a breakfast
-get dinner in two crock pots
-dishes
-prime window trim
-laundry

From the camera . . .

I donated this set to our youngest daughter.  It is set up at her salon for a December drawing.  One entry for every service booked with her.  I'm hoping it will draw in new customers for her.  It was filled with some holiday cheer as well.

What I am creating . . .

I'm working on an afghan for our living room.  I also have a scarf in the making, and several other projects on the "stock up" list.

Devotional, Bible Verse . . .

Prayers that our propane fireplace arrives.  It's holding us back, as well as the flooring order (supplies are such a pain to get right now). Continued prayers for Daughter E to get new clients and enough to pay her bills.

Blanket update and other ramblings

 

Here is an update on the new blanket for us.  It's been a long time since I have made anything for ourselves. 

The weather is miserable today.  Very windy and a cold front on the way.  It's a full blown work weekend for us.  We plan to make some progress in the living room.

I looked into selling my handiwork at a location one hour away.  They have a waiting list, but want $90 to 225.00/month and a 3 month commitment.  I will now look into another location.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

 

Winter has things slowing down around here, other than our living room repair/remodel project.  I, however, finally got the hot cocoa mix made.

A few parts arrived to install the gas heaters, but the fireplace has yet to be delivered.  It was supposed to be in November 30th.  It's been a frustrating time getting what we need to finish the living room.

The cost of paint is horrible right now as well. Sheesh.  My husband and I were flabbergasted at the price of one gallon to paint the trim.