The Year is Coming to an End. . .

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone and in just a few more days it will be 2009! Christmas around here was great - spending time with family and friends is always a blessing in itself. My younger brother came home for a week (which is a long time for him to stay - we usually only see him for a few days) and I got a chance to visit with him while he was here. He got a new puppy for Christmas, a 6 week old boxer. Absolutely adorable - mom said her house is awfully quiet now that they have returned to Virginia. I hope that each of you had a great Christmas and got to spend it with those you love. I like the fact that a new year is starting - a new year with new hopes, new dreams and new goals. For some reason, a new year just seams like a new start. Here's hoping that 2009 brings new adventures for you and yours!


(These are my two dogs - Charlie and Molly)

A Great Getaway. . .

Shane and I just returned from a 3 day trip to the mountains of TN. Although I am a "beach junky" (give me warm weather and sand any day!) I have to admit that I had a wonderful time. It was nice to get away. We, along with another couple, rented a cabin on the TOP of the mountain. Did I mention that I like flat land and I am not terribly fond of heights?!? We were about 3.5 miles up the side of the mountain. The views were beautiful and were worth the not-so-fun drive up (you can't really tell from the picture but that is looking over the entire town of Pigeon Forge - that's how high up we were!).



We woke up to about 3 inches of snow on Friday morning.



Once you got about halfway down the mountain there was no snow. Guess that's what they mean when they say "snow in the high elevations".

It was a great getaway, especially during this very busy time of year. Being up that high was amazing and, as was mentioned more than once, gave you the feeling that you could reach up and touch heaven. Here's hoping that sometime over this Christmas Holiday you get a glimpse of heaven!

In case I don't blog again in the next week or so, Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Today. . .

I am thankful that today was a beautiful day.
I am thankful that today I got to spend time with family and friends.
I am thankful that today I was reminded so many times the ways that I have been blessed.
I am thankful that today I was able to see my God in ways that I've never seen before.
Today, as every day, I am thankful.



Here's to hoping that today you gave thanks and to hoping that, even as the day draws to an end, we remember that everyday is a day to give thanks.

Still Here. . .

For those of you that do still check in once in a while, I'm still here! Things sure have been hectic around here lately. I have done several craft shows / home shows and am finally done with all of those. I hope that means that I am going to have a little bit of extra time (wait a minute, when do I ever have "extra time"?!?). I hope to be adding some new items to my Etsy shop in the next few days so keep a look out for those. There will be some cute, smaller items (such as key fobs, tissue holder, earrings, etc.) that would make great teacher and coworker gifts.

Anyway. . .

I didn't need this on this particular day, but I must admit that there are many days when I do need to read this.


ANYWAY

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.

The good you do today people will often be forgetten tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Author: Dr. Kent Keith

(I originally read this on a blog I frequent - Angelica Grace Designs - the link is on the right)

Not always interesting, but always blessed. . .

Wow - I knew that keeping up with a blog would be hard for me but I didn't realize it had been that long since my last post. Here are a few random things that have been going on: (*warning~ these things are not extremely interesting so be warned!)

*I went to the Willie Nelson concert in Spartanburg last week. Now, I am not a fan of Willie but I must admit he puts on a pretty good show. He played for almost 2 hours straight without ever stopping. That's pretty good for an old man! I must also note, that it was worth every dime of the ticket price to sit and watch the people. The guy in the row in front of us was the best! He made for a very comical night! My experience there could actually be a blog post in itself!

*I have been getting ready for a craft show that is tomorrow. Every time I do one of these I swear that I will never do another one. Low and behold, I have one tomorrow. Since I am the procrastinator that I am, these shows can make for some stressful nights for me!

*I found out that we didn't get rid of all the fire ants in our yard. Guess how I found that out???

*I have been trying to get stuff together to meet with my advisor at Converse so that I can hopefully start on my Masters sometime soon. When you have been out of school this long it is really hard to stomach the idea of going back.

*A friend of my brother's was ordained as a minister this past Sunday night. I didn't get to attend but just hearing my mom talk about it brought tears to my eyes. I often used to consider Nate, Jonathan and Stephen my 3 other brothers. Although I don't see Nate often, and haven't seen him in many years, I am proud to say that I know him. He is an incredible guy with a great passion for the Lord. He has a wonderful family and his wife's blog makes me laugh!

Well, I warned you that these aren't anywhere near the most interesting things that you will read today. But that's my life sometimes, not always interesting but always blessed!

Makes you think. . .

"Sometimes I’d like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world when He could do something about it......

But I’m afraid God might ask me the same question."

-Anonymous


Enough said.

*I've seen this quote and several blogs lately and thought I would pass it along.

Food for Thought. . .

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. . . it's about learning to dance in the rain."

Here's to hoping that the next time it "rains" you go out and dance.

Finally Updated. . .

I finally got around to adding a few new items to my Etsy Shop.

"Dancing Skeletons" - a small tote with removable bows

Blue and Brown Damask - a small tote with removable bows

Earrings - Lucite Blue Flowers and Czech Crystal Rounds

Chocolate Teardrop Earrings

A Few of my Finds. . .

I love a bargain! And if you know me at all then you know that is an understatement! Back at the beginning of the summer I decided our bedroom needed a new look. I painted the walls and got all new bedding and made some new pillows in this great fabric. But the best deal of all was the milkglass hobnail lamp that I found for $5.00! I collect milkglass hobnail and have for many years now. I don't have a huge collection but love the pieces I have obtained. Well, the lamp was in need of some work. The milkglass parts were in excellent condition (needed a little cleaning) but the other parts (the wood and brass) were in dire need of some paint. Here's some photos of the before:

And now how it looks after some chocolate brown paint and a new brown shade: (The lamp really is straight the photographer just wasn't holding the camera straight!)

It just may be the best $5.00 I've ever spent!

And it all begins. . .

Today was registration at school. Many of the kiddos came in today and they were excited to be starting tomorrow. When I say excited I mean hugging the teacher excited. Big boys hugging the teacher excited. Now, I am sure that will last all of 3 days but we will take it as we get it. I have to admit, I am kind of glad they are coming back tomorrow. Because, you know, if I have to be back then they should have to come back also!

I have finally come to terms with the fact that I can no longer be an early bird and a night owl. Since I have to be at school on time, looks like the owl is out of the picture!

I think I'm getting old. . .

You know, it used to be that getting up early was no problem. And going to bed late (on the same day I got up early) was no problem. Well, it's now a problem! Getting back into the routine of school is harder than I thought it would be. Of course the first day or so I got up at 5:30 with no problems and was at work by 7:15. Got home and went to bed around 11:00 / 11:30. Then Friday hits. I got up at 5:30 (thinking maybe this morning thing isn't so bad) got home around 4:30 and decided to take a nap. That nap lasted until 7:30. That is 3 HOURS!! When I finally arose I felt much better. That is until 9:00 when I decided to go and watch a Lifetime Movie (got hooked on those this summer) and fell asleep. I didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning. And only then because Shane woke me up to see if I was still breathing. Geesh - maybe mornings are only for those "young" people!

OOh - I did find out that I have been accepted into the MAT (Master's of Art in Teaching) program at Converse College! I am so excited and hope to get started back to school next semester. (For those that don't know, the MAT program is designed for those who have an undergrad degree in something other than education but who wish to go back and get their masters degree to teach.)

How You Live. . .

I heard this song the other day and fell in love with it!! It is titled How You Live (Turn Up the Music) and is by Point of Grace. This isn't the actual video but this instead shows the words as you hear the music (which I like because the words are what makes this song AWESOME!!)

Enjoy!

Back to the Grindstone. . .

Well, my summer is officially coming to an end. As of Wednesday, I go back to work! I know, I know - poor pitiful that has to go back to work after having almost 10 weeks off. Actually, I am a "routine" person for the most part (now don't get me wrong, I have LOVED being off this summer) so once I go back and get back into my routine I will be fine. But just the thought of having to go back - well, lets just say, I am trying not to think about it.

As a self proclaimed procrastinator (almost 10 weeks to be exact!), I have been crafting away these past few days. Several small bags are almost completed and I have made several new pairs of earrings that are now listed in my etsy shop. These are just a few of my favorites that I listed:

A Facelift. . .

I decided the blog was due a facelift. I love the bright colors and pattern of this background.

A Few New Ones. . .

I have been on a sewing kick lately. I go through spells - sometimes that is all I want to do and sometimes that is the last thing I want to do. This has been a good week for sewing. Hopefully these will be added to my etsy shop later tonight or sometime tomorrow.

We're Back. . .

The beach was nice and relaxing but there is nothing like being home. These are the only 3 pictures we took while at the beach, and they aren't even ON the beach. (In case you don't know us, that's my mom in the blue.)

Tomorrow, this is where my feet will be. . .

A Makeover. . .

I decided that my bedroom needed a makeover. When we moved into the house 6 years ago (can't believe it has been 6 years!!) we decided we wanted color in our bedroom. After lots of searching Candy Apple Red won. And boy was it color. I loved it - for a while. This is what the red looked like:

Then, I found Faded Seafoam, a color by Ralph Lauren. And I loved it! But more than me loving it, Shane loved it. So, today was the day. My mom and I decided to tackle the red (fully expecting it to be a chore) But a coat of tinted primer (that stuff rocks!) and several hours later and this is what we got:

Lots of color still, which if you know me is important, but oh so much lighter and brighter. I still haven't hung stuff on the wall as of yet since the paint is still a little tacky but it's coming! I am in love with my room again! (*Please ignore the awful television sitting on the dresser. We are in the process of "updating" those also!)

I also decided to try making my own throw pillows with a great Anna Maria Horner fabric. I love this fabric and it matches absolutely perfect!

A Custom Order. . .

This is a custom order for a baby shower gift that I just completed. Dad is a fireman and so we wanted to use a fireman themed fabric. But, since mom is the one that will be carrying the bag I added a polka dotted ribbon to make it a little more girly. Hope that mom, and dad, like their bag.

For the Little Ones. . .

It's Christmas in July! I am slowly (very slowly!) adding a few Christmas items to my Etsy Shop. This is a small handbag that is perfect for little hands (or for big hands who want a little bag!)

Burpies. . .

Simple burp cloths made with a printed flannel on one side and a coordinating flannel on the back. These are great not only a burp cloths but to use to clean up spills. I hope to have these listed in the shop tomorrow.

Happy 4th. . .

Happy 4th and a big thanks to all the men and women serving our country. Your generosity doesn't go unnoticed!

Photo Frames. . .

Some new photo frames that I just completed - first one is a black and white argyle print, second shows a back to school frame and the third is made using an amy butler print. All have glass and hold a 4x6 picture.

Something New. . .

New key fobs that I completed. These will be listed in the shop hopefully tomorrow.

More Additions. . .

I'm in the process of adding several new diaper wipe cases to the shop. Some of these have already been added and some are soon to appear. I love to do custom orders so let me know if you are looking for a particular color or print.

Just Added. . .

My newest diaper wipe case addition - added to my Etsy Store! Check out the other diaper wipe cases that are already listed.

Here Goes. . .

So, I'm not real sure this "blog" thing is going to catch on with me. I mean, I love to read other blogs, and think people have really interesting lives, but I am not sure my life is really anything to read about.

My name is Anna and I love anything crafty! I am wife to a wonderfully patient man and work full time in the school system as a Recreational Therapist with Emotional Disturbed children. I love it and love the time that I have to do things I enjoy. I hope this blog will be a little insight into my simple little life, a simple little life that I absolutely adore! From time to time I hope to post things that I have made and things that I have listed for sale on Etsy! (If you haven't visited Etsy you must do so - an amazing site full of handmade items!) There's a little link to the left that will take you straight to my Etsy shop.

Thanks for stopping by!