Little White Lies....

Hello to all on this snowy day, the wind is howling, blowing snow like a snow globe turned upside down, across the field. Mother nature seems to be letting us know it's Winter a bit earlier this year. I fear this is just the tip of what's to come after her gracious two year break in the snowy cold weather. My lavender plants are buried in a perfect layer of white and the pine trees dressed so neatly, no one could of done it any better...the beauty of nature. She tells us the truth always...she does what she's going to do despite what we think, it's her task, her land, she is to care. As I sit here typing I'm watching Christmas shows,  the warmth of the season, festive colorful tables, the subtle lights that sparkle like fairies, and gatherings of friends and family. Fairies, tales of tiny ones lighting the way as they fly in the night, the myths of so many wonderful images we live in and believe, they make our hearts warm and comfort us in there fantasy take us away from our daily life. I understand the myths, the stories written in books, put to film, let us know exactly that...they are myths. I sat this morning as all the Christmas shows, and shoppers fill the season I had a question, one that I have ponder for many years. Out of all the species God has put on this earth, humans are the only species that tell little white lies, as we call them. Somehow if they're little white lies they're not so terribly wrong or are they? I think of my oldest grand son, Brennan, who is 10, a year ago he discovered by accident Santa did not exist. He ask his dad, why did you lie to me, you said lying was something I shouldn't do because people get hurt, and lies you can't hide because the truth come out.  His father replied, it's part of what Christmas is all about began to try and explain. Then Brennan said, I thought Christmas was about the birth of baby Jesus, and with that he said, dad, Jesus wasn't born on Christmas Day, I googled and it's not the truth, so why do you lie to me? My son called me and said how do I answer this mom. I simply said, be honest, talk to him tell him what you know and speak from the heart. Why do we... think it's okay, okay to say Santa is real, the Easter Bunny exist, there is a tooth fairy, yet it seems the only truth of a Holiday we tell is that of Thanksgiving.  Are little white lies really any different then a lie itself? And if we think they are, is it okay? Think back in your life about the tooth fairy, Santa, the Easter  bunny and how do you feel? For me the white lies are over, the children are grown, I ask myself, would I do it the same if I had a chance to do it over, would I tell them the truth. I can only say this, I have a long time friend, Kim, who is a Jehovah Witness it does not bother me...it was her choice and  not mine to question. As I watched her kids grow over the years along side of mine...I have noticed a difference, one that I can not explain only one you would have to see for yourself. Her children live in the real world, the world as it really exist. I can not say they do not lie... I do not know...but what I do know... they don't question as many things concerning there surroundings and the world in aging.... like those of us who have been told those little white lies. So yes, I would do it different...I would have told my children the truth...but that's just me. I would have told them Santa is like a fairy, he is a character in a story, a character that simply makes the story more interesting and colorful with his Ho, Ho, Ho.

With that said, I hope your day is a good one, you're finding warmth, and the visits of family heartfelt, along with many blessings, as this Holiday Season counts down to it's final days. 

Thank you once again for taking time to stop in and read my blog :0)

How I Love it....

Good Morning dear readers....it's been a bit of winter this week and I am loving it, the look of  little fairy lights twinkling as the snow falls. The first few bouts of snow, always so exhilarating especially this time of year as it sets the tone for the Holidays. The UPS man made a few deliveries yesterday, I've been a bit self indulging this year, treating myself to a few little things, patiently waiting for my new camera to arrive. It's not like me to treat myself, its been awhile since I have been in the festive mood. My experiences as an empty nester changes, evolves as the years go by, and does brings many different feelings this time of year. I find myself thinking of others, who are like me, living alone. Holidays are the hardest for us, I watch the Holiday TV shows, the Christmas commercials, all the family gatherings, the warmth of friends, the festive decorating, baking and cooking. I find myself thinking of my own family, dusting off the memories in my mind that have been tucked away. Thinking of my children and there bright eyed faces in Christmas past, baking holiday cookies, decorating the tree, and gifts staked under for Christmas morning. All faded now, distant memories...it's funny how fast time seems to go, yet at the same time there doesn't seem to be enough. This is the only time of year that seems to remind many of us, that we are alone. Making the best of it until it passes each year, it's all that any of us can do. I do miss the decorating inside and although I don't, I manage to take it outside and for me it's soothing. I also did a bit of blocking last night, finally finished the little hat with ear flaps for the new grand baby. Last night my daughter called me to tell me something I was not to know, until it arrived. Said she had baby Will's first photograph taken in the little Owl Sack and Hat I knitted in a soft gray. She was so excited. Said, mom the photographs of Will in the owl sack and hat are so adorable, I just couldn't keep the surprise, and that's not like me. Said she had ordered a special photograph for me. I can't wait to see and share it with you. It's the first time she has been excited about anything I have knitted. Then again this is the first year I've really dabbled and have delighted in knitting. I am learning so much about knitting I just can't seem to put the needles down. It's been a lot of trial and error but well worth it all, especially the finishing and blocking. How I just seem to love it all!

And Now We Know.... Exactly What!

We know that this little guy was born Nov. 12, 2013

And his mother is so incredibly in love with him...she stares at him constantly...Well, she tries, literally! 

I've never seen a mother so engaged with a child as my daughter, and that's not being bias, it's so true, if only you could see her with him. Well let's just say... What a lucky little boy! Two miscarriages, and an ovarian disease, it was a struggle to have this little guy, bring this little guy full term and into the world. Rightly so, she can stare as much as she likes!

What we didn't know, when he left the Hospital he would go back the first two weeks of his life. Loosing weight beyond what was normal, mom and babies blood mixed in womb, which is bad when it's incompatible, along with becoming extremely jaundice. I had noticed he was a bit off color during my visit (me holding him) and mentioned it to my daughter, who said, mom they said he was fine. But indeed he wasn't...what a struggle this little guy had right after his birth. With tears she said, I feel so bad mom, I should have known but I trusted the Hospital and I won't make that mistake again. Will (the little guy) is doing fine now and while speaking with my daughter on the phone last night, who loves him so much, was afraid to give him his first in water bath. Afraid she would drown him or break his tiny neck. So...daddy gave Will his first bath. 

I pray every night, this little guy, stays healthy.

Then there is the Season of all Seasons 'Christmas" one I did not enjoy for many years nor did I decorate. I did my best to just hide and sleep through that week. 

It takes time to heal from a devastating situation...but it doesn't feel it will change when you're going through it, does it?

Yet it does...if you speak of it out loud, if you take it day to day and know that every day you get through is one more day closer....because when you hit bottom the only way to go is up! Whether it's a year or ten years up is the only way you can go and that life will lead you to.....

Brighter days! Yes it does...I know from first hand experience what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And even if the days are dark the light finds it's way to you...God loves us all... you truly are never alone. You just have to trust him and pray, believe he has more for you to accomplish...because he does in times of troubles. You can't give up and you can't let go! This is a tough time of year for a lot of people, we must keep that in mind, think of others, and ask, how are you...really.

One candle light is all it takes to find your way home... and today was "Giving Tuesday" I hugged my cat, and am sending many Blessings your way.  To all of you reading or passing through, I will put you in my prayers tonight by mentioning my post. 

And what else did I know...after many prayers there it was right in front of me...I know what I am going to do this overly creative gal. On Cyber Monday I bought a Cannon ESO T3I with two lenses, a bag, an 8gb SD card and many other features. I re-evaluated my life since my son and I talked about what I wanted to do in this empty nester life. I realized every time I go to the store I interact with children especially from birth to 5, I just love everything about how pure there souls are...how honest, how incredibly real they are in everything they do. Remember when you were little you did everything, you played, walked through stores, went anywhere with family, etc.....and did what you felt without caring what anyone thought. I think we all need to go back there let the inner child dance, play, run, twirl in circles without caring what anyone thinks. I know I do and it feels awesome. Rejuvenating! Exactly what do I know.... I was a photographer for many years when I was in my twenties for a local studio. I know when I go outside I am always taking photographs. I know that my current camera has done it's job...my Kodak Easy Share Z712 IS held up and did it's best even though I always wanted a real professional camera, and didn't give it the interest I should have...I am grateful for having it. I won't part with it..unless one of my children needs a better camera.

Happy Holidays to all! Thank you again for visiting!

Pet Peeve, Moving Blog, and Handmade Snowmen

"Happy Black Friday"

 Since my kids are grown I don't participate much in this day.

Unless of course if my son wants me go for the grand babies.

This year he said no, wasn't interested and has to work tonight. It's hard not to feel bad for him or anyone who works night hours...10 until 7 in the morning and often later. It doesn't make for much of a social  or family life. 

I have a huge pet peeve when it comes to the Holidays, although I like the decorations, it's family, humans that really spark thought in me, that is far from the word family, or representation of Holiday's. The day before yesterday and in fact during the Detroit ( yeah they won) and Dallas ( my Philadelphia teams biggest rivals) also won. I kept hearing over and over...how we hate family showing up during the Holidays, how to avoid them and so on....

What kind of example are we setting for our children, how are things to change for their generation if this is all we do, think of ways to get rid of family. Being an empty nester, (which will happen to everyone at some point in your life, someone always leaves, or dies and in the end only one is left behind alone) I know what it feel like to be alone, to live alone. It's not always filled with rosy days. I can not go without saying, during the holidays when everyone is complaining, there are people out there who would love to take your place. It's also my understanding that the Holidays are a time for forgiving, setting aside our difference, and sadly it doesn't always happen. This is a time in my life when I would welcome a trip back in time, to sit at the table with my family, my deceased parents, my siblings, and my children, get up Christmas morning and watch there faces light up. I truly believe life has it backwards as we age....from 50 and up we seem to see things clearer have an in site into what the world is really like, we understand forgiveness and apply it easier, we don't live in the past, we live in the moment. We are wiser than anyone younger gives us credit for...

we are the ones who have lived experiences many will be going through as I post, so we do indeed know what we are talking about...

Ask this little cutie 20 years from now what she will have to say....for now I say, she's just too darn cute in that hat...and who the heck made it. I found it on Pinterest and the link to follow didn't work. This has got to be the cutest hat I think I have seen in a long time. How unique...if you know where the pattern came from please let me know!! 

Today is my last day of blogging on blogger...I am moving to Typepad and looking forward to the change and the things I will be able to do. Like this snowman who will be up for sale....

along with this one.....

and this one, and many more....

and tutorials like this one made using grapevine branches, and old hanging chandelier and white spray paint.

Then there are these photograph (taken from Pinterest) that express my love of canning jars and how some people use them.

Brilliant!

Despite the fact there are electric and battery operated candles, for me the flame of a real candle is and always will be my favorite.

Now what does this have to do with anything...well let me tell you. I think this is the sweetest, warmest, very welcoming not to mention way too cute bathroom. I am not a fan of red, but this I could live with...oh I must do something similar...what a start for me in finally using color.

I will post when I have moved with a link to find me...Happy Holidays, be safe and love one another after all in the end it's all we have... thank you so very much again for popping in just to read. This empty nester is so grateful!

A Bit of What's Up....

A bit of what's up in my week so far.....

Hello all...how's your day? It's nearly Thanksgiving and I know a lot of you are running around not only shopping for Thanksgiving, but Christmas too. I have mixed feelings this time of year, although I delight in the Season, love the decor, I can't help but think of all those in need. So today I called the Fire Department to see what I could do, anything is better than nothing. I ended up speaking to an employee who's wife had left him this time last year. Within minutes we were talking about how bad this year has been for him. It's amazing how just picking up the phone to help and you meet someone who needs help themselves. I look at people that I pass this time of year and can't help but wonder if they are really okay. This is the time of year to help and offer hope to those who have lost it. Hope is the key, without it nothing matters, we all have to have hope to survive. Without hope, there are no dreams for tomorrow, and faith that things will change is gone. Hope is the thing that gives you wings to believe you can do anything, it tells a person that there is a tomorrow, it puts a light on dreams that have been put out. I know from my own experience of being homeless myself. You may look at these people and say, "oh come on, why aren't they helping themselves. A four little word HOPE when gone keeps a person frozen in time. When frozen by the a devastating situation, we tend to do nothing, we don't know where to go, or for that what to do, that is when hope is gone. There has to be a reason for life, there has to be dreams, people need to know they matter, and that's so important especially this time of year. It's partly why I blog...it's nice to know people visit, read, and by them helping me just by visiting, I hope in return I am helping someone myself.

For me it use to be tough during the Holidays, as I have mentioned I am a germaphobic and now an empty nester, it's not always roses living alone. It takes work to motivate and thank goodness being creative does that for me. Being a germaphobic the less people I can be around in the winter months with all the germs the better I am. My children understand this they call me on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and they chuckle now as they have grown, because they know I am okay. They know they can visit as long as everyone is healthy, they understand that's me. I am grateful that they do. We do get together, they come to my home, if they are ill they call and say they can't make it, but they call, and that's important to me.Just speaking to them means a lot to me. So on my Thanksgiving I will open a box of Stove Top Stuffing, cook a small chicken breast, cranberries, and enjoy my day. I do see the grand babies, of course if they are healthy, and I am grateful as they too understand grandma. We all have problems, no one is without there own issues in this life and that's okay. It's okay to have them, it's okay to talk about them, it's okay even if it makes you different. It's what we do with it... when we know of someones troubles.

There was a day when my son and I (last year) were leaving Walmart, a man was standing holding a sign, please help, my family needs to eat. My son immediately knew what I was going to do, so he stopped. There was a time when he questioned me, he said mom, "how do you know they are really in need?" I replied, " I don't, but this is a test of my humility, my faith, if I pass them by, it says, I don't care. If I stop and give what I can it says I believe, even thought it's a chance I am taking as it could be a scammer. It says, I believe in people and that's all that matters to me. I hope I am a part of the Hope that gives people less fortunate the wings to begin to fly, its part of who I have become through my own life lessons, and I am so very grateful and blessed by those trials in my life. The best feeling in the world is helping others and I wouldn't change that feeling for anything.

So I am currently blocking the blanket to the owl sweater, and have started another sweater working it my own way as I go. This time I am using sport weight yarn by Bernat, it's baby softee. Not a bad yarn and much better than Caron Simply Soft. My cat, Bella, entertains me on top of the chair I bought from Goodwill in the summer, by chasing her tail. If you remember I striped the chair down a bit, said I would leave it sit until it hits me as to how I wanted to finish it. I have ordered what I need and will transform it soon. I have so many blasted ideas rolling around in this gal's head for knitting, recycling and so much more it's hard to keep up. And I am thankful I do. I am going to try this winter to get more of them completed and post them. I am soon to be adding to my shop page, linen pillow covers with quotes, phrases. I will post when they are available. In the meantime....

Have a wonderful week, be safe as you make your way shopping. Blessings to all. Again thank you for visiting, it means a lot.

Happy Independence Day...and A Special Thank You To Our Troops!

 

 

TOO ALL OUR CURRENT TROOPS AND THOSE BEFORE THEM... THANK YOU!

THE FLAG         

Red is for the blood shed in the name of Freedom,
for which we fought, united.
Blue is for the oceans of time we have crossed,
remaining the land of the free
White is for the peace we wish to share,
all men created equal
Stars to remember those who fought throughout the night,
bravely for our land
Stripes to remind us of the lashings taken by the Prisoners of War
With a seal, in God we trust
We each are one of many, in which we stand united in Brotherhood
A symbol of Pride
A salute to those who died in the fight
A blanket to cover us in times of need
Waving high to show we are still here, undefeated
With honor you are presented to the world.

 

 

 

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!     WE CELEBRATE OUR FREEDOM!