Books Read in January 

Snow Weekend

in bullets

*we have had 3 solid days at home
*everybody is going stir crazy
*we got about a half inch of sleet and half inch of snow
*much less than many people got
*tomorrow we will leave the house for the first time since Thursday
*hubby must work - normally he has Sun & Mon off, but is working b/c he didn't work Fri. & Sat b/c of the weather
*I have a dr's appoint, to which I will have to take the kids, fun :-)
*we are in the home stretch of this pregnancy!
*I hit 34 weeks Saturday - All three of the others were born between 37-38 weeks.
*I have the bassinet, newborn clothes, and diapers ready to go.
*I have been adding numbers to my cell phone to call or text when Peanut gets here.
*I have been crocheting hearts and bees.
*I have to finish the last bee and mail them for my nephew's baby shower
*the hearts will be for Valentines day.
*Once I perfect them I will start embroidering names on them.
*okay this is it, I am going to bed now.

Books! Books! Books!

Following a link from the Lovely Leann ~ I have found this!



Mandi @ Organizing Your Way has set up this challenge. Now of course I am a few days behind.  But that is how I roll around here.  And you know what it is okay.  There are a couple I want to go back and pick up, and I plan on doing that later today or tomorrow.  However, today's I can do right now.

1. Define your goal.

I have done various goals through out the years.  I have also joined several reading challenges only to not finish them.  I have only finished one,  So I am not going there this year.  This is going to have to be my way if I am going to do it all.  (as a note I have a My Way or No Way blog peculating to be posted soon.)

So my goal to read something for myself everyday,  Because I want to, not because it is required of me - I have reading to do in preparation for Sunday School and will have reading to do in preparation for Training, But this doesn't include any of that.  This is reading because I WANT to.

2. Join a book club.

This is already done!  I am reading with Leann and Dana and others with the Bibliomaniacs.  I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first book for the group.

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Barrow and Shaffer

3. Mix it up.

Easy to do, I have a TON of unread books around here, as well as some beloved series to reread with necessary.

I think I can do this without to much trouble.

4. Buy a Kindle.

Okay she was really kidding on this but the idea behind is, "figure out what obstacles are standing in the way of your goal and address them now. "  

I can't buy a Kindle or other reading device, because of finances, however, I don't particularly want one either.  I have a need to have the paper feel of a book in my hands as I read.  However, I am figuring out a new obstacle in my reading ~  get ready for a laugh for those who know me~  it is my crocheting.  Yes, a new passion I have found is keeping me from reading as much.  SO.................................I will crochet while I watch TV and when I have to turn the TV off because hubby is trying to sleep, I will read..........

5. Keep a running list of books.

Still pondering on this one,  I will attempt to keep up with them on the side bar of my blog.  Maybe on paper as well.

6. Remember that reading a little is better than not reading at all.

Anticipation

My theme for this year. I have a couple of distinct things which I am anticipating. One is more definite than the other.

First of all is this baby. Our little Peanut, (yes that is his nickname) will be here sometime in the next 6 to 10 weeks. I hit 30 weeks today, and none of his siblings have made it to 38 weeks, and I am having similar signals that this pregnancy is not any different. I have plans for reorganization to get my room ready for him, he will share it for awhile. So I need to organize to get that done. Two pieces of furniture need to be removed, one moved, and the baby bed purchased or borrowed and set up. One major thing that will have to be done in that process is sorting through books to give away and store.

Secondly is a move. I am anticipating a career change and move within the year, hopefully relativity soon after Peanut is here. However, that will require a LOT of cleaning out and reorganization, to which I am actually looking forward to doing. I just need a set goal and some perimeters defined to help get the kids motivated in helping in this process. However, I am believing that will also come soon.

Overall I am anticipating being in a very different place at this point in 2011. Some changes are definite others are alluded to, however I believe that this year will be a year of great change.

Christmas Memories

A gal on FB from my hometown was asking about Christmas memories from there. So I put my list up and thought I'd come share and ask about your Christmas memories.

~ The Goldsmith's in the 'big city' nearby did an Enchanted Forest when I was little and we'd go every year to tour and see Santa

~ putting up and decorating the tree at the Church many years. This was no small project considering our Sanctuary had 20 foot (at least) ceilings. And it had to be done before Advent started which usually meant we were doing it the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

~ Christmas parades in freezing weather, they always seemed to be on the coldest night of the year, I was almost always IN the parade, either with the scouts or later the band. It also never failed that my short legs were always on the wrong end of the row for every turn meaning I had to make the LONG steps to keep the line straight, while our 6'1" section leader was on the short end of the turn.......

~ Christmas concerts, we did portions of Handel's Missiah one year, portions of the Nutcracker one year, and songs from the guy that arranged (and I think wrote) Sleigh Ride one year, Carol of the Bells EVERY YEAR

~ and living on the street I can't forget the lights on the west end of my street every year, totally uncoordinated every body did lights and decorations but no one coordinated anything with any body else. Yet nothing was tacky or gaudy, it was always beautiful every year.

Hand Made Christmas

First Installment in the HandMade Christmas.

We finally got the tree up Sunday night. We put a few of the already handmade ornaments on the tree so it didn't look so bare.



Today we finally got stared working on them.

Our supplies:



Just some simple copies I had made, construction paper for backing, water colors and crayons for decorating.



Pumpkin ~ Hard at work



Bug ~ Hard at work




Somehow I missed Buddy

Some of the finished products.



Tomorrow's plan involves pipe cleaners and beads.........

Christmas Goodies

I am working on some crochet creations for sale for the holidays. Some are for sale in my Etsy Shop. However, when I add Avon products to these creations I can't sell them at Etsy. So I am bringing them here before I take them to Ebay. My first selection I call "Pretty in Pink"  
In the bag you have these products:
 


contents left to right. 
Bath Time Body Paints ~ Bubble Gum scent 
Disney Princess Snow White Pink Lip Balm 
Mini Bubble Bath ~ Soft Pink  


The bag is made with 100% acrylic yarn and measures approximately five inches across and five inches deep. I closes with a pink drawstring.  
Pretty In Pink sells for $ $9.00 The Second Selection is "Little Drummer Boy"


 
The contents include: 
 
from left to right  
Bath Time Body Paints ~ Coconut Custard Scent 
Lip Balm ~ Candy Cane flavor 
Shower Gel ~ Black Cherry and Nutmeg Scent
Moisture Therapy Intensive Hand Cream ~  


The bag is made with 100% acrylic yarn and measures approximately five inches across and five inches deep. I closes with a pink drawstring.


 


Little Drummer Boy sells for $11.00


If you want either comment, and we will work out shipping and payment!