Trying to Add Color to the Desert

It really is a desert here. Most people would balk at living in it. Once upon a time, I would have too. But it has grown on me. There are little things that you find to love. A game store. A park. A book store. Maybe a thrift store or two. The people you meet and interact with. It is a lot of sunshine, and maybe not enough rainbows, but it is home. And that means that I am setting down the details that I enjoy. Learning what works and what doesn't. 

So... I'm adding color! Our front yard isn't so much a yard. It is a lot of rocks and weeds. I see neighbors adding greenery. One is growing tomatoes! In her front yard! And I thought... I want to do some of this.  My back yard shows a lot of greenery, but my deliberate planting has failed in a lot of ways. So I told my husband I was ripping up the front zone. That I wanted to move things and plant things. My daughter and I did it in spurts because of the heat. 

Day one - gardenia bush! I LOVE the smell of gardenias. They are small white flowers with a huge scent. Pollinators love it too. My husband bought me two. I got one in the ground and had to stop. The heat and high UV is killing me here. 

Day two - mandevilla and another gardenia bush! We got the rest of the zone cleared of the weeds and put in those two bushes. Then came the top soil and watering. While we were at it, we even moved my peppers up front. Some of them. I'm desperate to keep these alive. They were given to me with so many tiny leaves, and then the heat hit us hard and they started to shrivel. Even if they are meant for full sun, apparently that doesn't count in this town. Shade is key! So we moved them into the shade out back and they lasted.

But they haven't grown since and haven't all gotten their leaves back. Not sure if these will survive, but maybe after moving up front and in the ground we will have a better shot keeping them alive. 

Day three -  This day had to be postponed. I sprained my wrist while working Day 2. Had to put on a brace as it swelled and hurt to bend it. 

Fast forward a few weeks... I have added everything I originally planned on putting in there. I have learned that shade is for all plants. Including those that normally love sun. Why? Because we live in the desert and it is too much sun! 

I planted a pot of lettuce too, from seeds and now have seedlings starting. Here is to hoping that we can grow our own and be having salads soon. And to adding a little more greenery to our desert home! 

It Is Important To Her, So That Makes It Important To Me

Life has been a chaotic mess. Pretty much all year, but most especially recently. It has left me questioning where I stand on so many issues. Questioning how to navigate and what is called of me as a wife, and as a mom. My most recent challenge? Taking my daughters on a special trip. 

My oldest daughter has started a long-distance relationship with a boy. First (and, hopefully only) one! They met at the Christian summer camp a couple years back. Apparently, he was really taken with her. Since then, they have been talking online. As a mother, that keeps me conflicted. She's so young. But she's growing up. They have to keep it long distance. But that keeps her on the safe side things. It has led to questions and conversations. To growth. To maturity. I see the shift in her. I'm both proud and scared for this girl of mine. But it is about to get more real. He is having a birthday party that he hoped she would attend. They didn't get to go to camp together this year. And he hasn't been able to come all the way out here. So... I'm determined to take her out there. Even if it means going on a 5 or so hours drive one way, stay 2 nights and then make that trip back! 

On the other side, my younger daughter has been begging to see her best friend again. Since the 2 locations for these are about 20 minutes apart, I figured, why not? I'll kill two birds with one stone! I'll also get to hang with my friend and meet the boys family. So win-win, right? 

All this would not have been possible if it were not for the support of my loving husband. He agreed to take over the driving of our sons to and from work. And to help me save for the trip. He asked me a loaded question before agreeing to this. "Are you sure you can handle making this trip alone?" You see, I don't like driving so much these days. People are crazy. Irresponsible. Jerks. Entitled. And it makes me nervous to go so far without him there. He's my pillar. But after putting some thought into this, I came to this strong realization. This is important to both of my daughters. This is a chance we rarely get. This is something both have been really wanting for so long. So, yes. This is something I need to do. For them. And I will step up to the challenge. For them. 

So here is to the planning that I'm going to put into this! Here is to making this weekend trip amazing. For the girls! And here is to being a Mom they can be proud of.  

Pride as a Mom

We had the vendors day! It was a long day. We were not able to stay the last two hours. Even in the shade, both girls were getting too much heat. But for all the hours we did spend there, we had fun! And we did make enough money to make it worth the spot fee. Already planning ahead to the fall one. 

Together, we navigated learning what to do and what not to do. For instance, keep the table in the shade. Things in the sun got very hot! Made things less appealing to customers. 

Another lesson? Make signs to advertise what some products are. My youngest made melted bead art. Meant to be sun catchers. No one knew what to make of those. One person thought they were coasters. They didn't sell very well. We are looking at ways to make them more appealing to customers next time. 

My older daughter was a little down because she wasn't the only crochet vendor. However, we quickly saw that her items were the kawaii versions. The other vendor specialized in characters. Especially the horror variety. So her little creatures were ooohed and awed over all day. Did not sell as many as she hoped, but enough that she was able to buy more materials to make others. 

This event made me proud as their mother. I got to see their joy when making a sale. I got to talk them through the disappoint when they didn't sell. I had the chance to walk through the recap moments and discuss what to do differently. And just be there for them through the whole thing. This was what meant the most to me! 

Introducing My Daughters to Entrepreneurship

One of our favorite shops in town has been planning to have a Vendors Day event. I was truly excited as I looked forward to it. My little hobby, Suzette's Sweets would get to participate. 

But then came a surprise. My oldest daughter decided to learn to crochet and follow new patterns. She even created her own patterns! Suddenly she was making as many things as she could and asking to share my vendor tent. Of course I said yes! I've been trying to encourage her to learn and practice more. To make beautiful things. And maybe make some money on the side. 

Then came the next surprise. My youngest wouldn't have had anything to do that Saturday. At first, she seemed fine with that. Then a lady at church asked her what she could, or would want to, make? What little things would she be able to sell? Hmm... tough question. Originally, the lady thought beaded projects. But my little one doesn't like making jewelry. So to Pinterest I went. I found a board I had made a long time ago of gift ideas. (Back when we were struggling for money.) I revisited this board for this year - that hasn't been our best. And that is where I found bath bombs and melted bead art.

My mother had sent me these glow-in-the-dark beads for just such a project. I went thrifting for some metal cookie molds. I bought some supplies. The lady from church donated some more supplies. And suddenly, this house became a house of creativity! I loved watching them design and show off what they came up with. I am so proud of them! 

So, after the vendor day ends, we will look back and see what worked well and what didn't. Because at the end of this, I want them to think hard on what it means to be an entrepreneur! I want them to be proud of their own accomplishments as well. To have a little more confidence in what they can do. 

Then Comes a Pink Slip

My last post of life was pretty heavy. So much has been going on in my world. So much has been weighing me down. And after that last post, it just piled on more. On the lighter side, I found out my youngest will most likely be getting glasses next time she is tested. Poor girl. I had hoped she would never need to. In the middle weight bracket, I have come to believe that my older daughter has scoliosis. Unfortunately, we haven't had medical insurance in at least a year, no maybe two, so we haven't been able to know for sure. However, the pain and lopsidedness she has been experiencing makes me believe this is it. I feel guilt. After all, she has my genes. And I can't do anything about it. I feel frustration. As my husband reminds me, even if we had insurance and knew for sure that is what she has, what could we do about it? I never want her to have the surgeries I had. Look at the mess I'm in...

1 Peter 1:6-7 is a hard reminder. Trials will come, many trials! But they are meant to try your faith. To push you to lean of God and His faithfulness through it all. 

 

But then there is the heavy weight. The champion of stress-inducing nightmares... my husband lost his job. I was dreading this possibility. Hoping it wouldn't come. But here we are. The company he was working for, pretty much dissolved in a matter of weeks. He was only given one weeks notice. The stress from that was enough to manifest in physical ways. But God has been gracious. He gave us a slight reprieve. My husband is temporarily working as a contractor for the company that took over the sites. While we were still waiting for that first paycheck to come in, we had been blessed to have been granted a severance package from the previous employer. Don't get me wrong, I'm still stressed, but not as badly as I was before. After all, this is still temporary. There is the possibility that this company might hire him on as a regular employee once the contract ends. But from the way the owner talks, he wants to do so at a downgraded pay and position. It really grinds my gears when I hear that. But such is the world of the rich who dabble with crypto currencies. When their digital money drops to a certain level, they freak out. Who would have guessed that Bitcoin would drop so drastically after booming so hard? But greed takes over every time. 

Romans 12:12 reminds me to keep praying and to be patient in trouble. 

We are changing how we do everyday life here. I have tightened the proverbial coin purse sash. Meals might be a little plainer and repeat a little more often, but everyone still gets fed. I'm thankful that changes have happened as they did. Blessed, even.  The boys have their jobs now. If there is something they want, that we can't get, they get it for themselves. The severance package has held us up for the past couple of weeks and will do so another couple weeks. I don't have to worry about the bills. 

James 1:2-4 tells us to remember that when trials come (not IF, but WHEN), that it will build in us an endurance.  

What I do worry over, is how much stress my husband is under. And the physical toll it has taken. I pray that God will show him to his next job, and soon. I pray that His will be done, and that I trust Him to know best. Even when I can't see it. This has been the song speaking volumes in my life right now. 

 I don't claim to be 100% carefree in the knowledge that God is in control of every aspect of my life. However, when the anxiety starts building, I know where to turn. Every time. This, too, shall pass. 

The Battle is Daily

I am in quite the busy season of life here. It has tested my endurance. It has been testing my patience. Questioned what I am willing to sacrifice. But above all these things, it has tested my faith. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:". We do not always know what season we are in though, do we?  

My sons are settled into their respective jobs. I play chauffeur nearly daily now. Sometimes one of them will even work a double, having me bring him back and forth between the shifts! In some ways, I feel as tired as I did when they were babies. Especially when you toss in trips to the library, grocery stores, post office, book store, thrift store... whatever other places I need to stop by for any other needs that come up. It is freedom that I haven't had in a while, but some days I wish I could give it all back up again. I've been hoping (and maybe dreading) that the boys would ask to start their driving lessons. But that doesn't seem to rank too high on their to-do list right now... Only one of them finally asked to start learning! 

I've had my so-tired-I-can't-see-straight moments. But then I have boys who are excited that they had a great paycheck. Or someone was thrilled with their work. I have been able to take my daughters out more. Though, that often comes with wanting mom to buy them things...

Making a donated delivery to the local Sheriff's office! 

And how about helping those I couldn't before? Or hanging out with friends? That has been fun too! There are so many pros and cons that come with life in this new phase of mine. 

On the flip side, we had some hard times come along that had me feeling like we were hitting the bottom. Transmission needed to be replaced in my car. The AC in the house had to get fixed. The washing machine pipe wasn't draining properly, so I was having to wash everyone's clothes for them and then clean up water that spilled out.

Then I ran over the tip of someone's blade and barely got parked before the tire went flat! 

Or the latest, something so life-changing that I won't be posting about it just yet. But it definitely shook my world and makes me think twice about what I need to do. 

While I know God has a plan, and that His plans are above any I have for myself, I still found myself asking "WHY". (Jeremiah 29:11) Just why? I pray for the strength to get through another day. I push myself to do my best, regardless of how I feel. And I wonder if I'm failing to hit the mark. Maybe that is why I'm struggling and my family is going through the wringer? 

Then God makes a memory pull up. A time when I was going through the fire. But He stepped in next to me. A time when I felt absolutely hopeless, but He miraculously made everything work out. These memories are what pulls me through. Reminds me that my focus is horizontal. But it needs to shift to the vertical. 

"Will you trust Me?" 

That is the phrase that kept coming to mind. That my husband said he had going through his head as well. Will you trust Me? Lean on Me. Let Me work. Sounds so simple with so few words in these phrases, doesn't it? But then putting it into practice is where we trip up. At least I do. Someone once told me, "You don't have enough faith." Granted, that was their reason for why I was physically falling apart and God wasn't healing me. But why would God say in Matthew 17:20, "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." 

Thank God for that! My faith feels so small sometimes. Life feels impossibly difficult. But that is where Luke 17:5-6 is encouraging. "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you." It can be small, but through Jesus, do big things. This is the reminder I have needed. One day at a time. One task at a time. Just enough faith to get by each one. That is all I need. 

So what am I doing now?

I'm still playing taxi for 2 teenagers. I'm still managing the household needs. I'm sometimes fulfilling the role of caretaker. Baking on the side, for events and custom orders. 

I'm editing for a couple writers. And even gardening! Yes, I have learned how to keep plants alive.

My husband tells me I'm an over-achiever on the daily. Reminds me of a moment in the Pride & Prejudice story of the accomplished woman discussion... 

But above all these little successes, I'm constantly seeking to follow the will of my Lord. What does He want of me? Am I surrendering and walking the path He has laid out for me? Trusting in His plans? Yes, it is a daily, sometimes more often, set of questions I have to ask myself. Because I'm nowhere near perfect. 

Mother's Day Wishes

It is Mother's Day, for those of us in the United States who celebrate. I do wonder... do other nations have Mother's Day celebrations? Something to look into. But today, I want to wish Moms a great day! I also want to encourage those moms who might be having a hard time.

Mothers have it rough. I know not everyone understands this. And I'm not discounting the fathers. You guys have your day too! At least here. But let's dive in for a moment and just really think about what it means to be a good mom. And yes, there are bad moms. There are those we don't celebrate because they haven't earned that privilege. So again, just focus on the good ones with me, yeah? 

What do I think a good Mom is?

 

A good Mom pours so much energy into her kids. She makes sacrifices for them. Sleep. Time. Money. Energy. Their needs trumps her own. As a good mom, she will hide that yawn. Smile at their jokes or artwork (even when she didn't get it). She will seek to teach them all the knowledge she can in the 18 years they are hers to do so with. She often repeats herself, believing that one day it will sink in. And will provide for every need (not the wants) as best she can.

Do I think I cover all these in my own walk? Not all the time. My kids see me tired and hurting. My kids hear my grumbling about what I lack because I need to get them something instead. These come from weak moments I have. I try not to let them overflow my proverbial internal bottle, but I'm human. It happens. Especially with my teenagers....

That is a whole other beast. Raising teenagers. It is so freaking hard! 'Scuse the language outburst there. But seriously, teenagers can drain the life from you on the daily, smiling the whole time. And I think boys are worse than girls in this. But that is just my own experience. 

So here is some encouragement.

As a Christian mom, I take encouragement from the Bible. I laugh at some of the verses when they are quoted to me by older women in my life. After all, they see my kids behaving their best every time. They don't see the nitty-gritty in the background at home. According to some of these women, these verses should be coming true for me. But they forget I have teenagers. Who might not follow my own faith. "Well, that doesn't seem very encouraging," you say. And you would be right. 

However, these verses are true. No matter what my experiences may be right now. In Proverbs 31:25-29, you get the picture of what many of us call the Proverbs 31 Woman. So many of us strive to be her in our lives. We put ourselves down when we fall short. But let me tell you something. In our own ways, we all reach these standards. No matter how we falter in the walk. We are stronger than we give ourselves credit for. Personally speaking, I hold my head up and walk in such a way that I hope to not fall when evil comes around. With dignity and grace. I do the best I can in imparting wisdom to my kids. Sometimes it comes off as just mom bashing us for failing in some activity. But I do try to make it known in love. How many of you moms out there are juggling schedules? Preparing all the meals? Are your kids clothed? Are they clean? Guess what?! You are fulfilling verse 27. That is a feat of superhuman strength! So be proud of that. The part I struggle with are in verses 28 and 29. In my house, my husband sings my praises daily. My children? Not so often. But I don't let their lack of care get me down like I used to. After all, we are only human. We have phases of life that fluctuate as we go through. Glued to mom when we are tiny. Trying to find our own way through those raging hormones of our teens. Maybe even thinking we know it all. Then later, sometimes much later, we love and respect all our mother did for us.

Another verse that is quoted to me too often is in Luke 7:35. It says simply - Wisdom is justified of all her children. The hope is that we will find our children understanding the wisdom we sought to give them all their lives. That they will grow stronger through it and live better lives. And that they will see, as they look back, that we did it in love for them. We will be justified. 

Do I think I will see these things from all my children, maybe not. There are days when I think at least 1, maybe 2, will fly the coop and not think twice about never looking back. Maybe I'm speaking from the dark corner of my mind that is struggling with Motherhood right now. I hope so. Because one day I can hope that they will return the love I have shared all their lives.  

Maybe you are not a mother. But maybe you fill a motherly role in someone's life. I have, and have had, many mother-like women in my life. You are included in this encouragement. You have a role. And we thank you too! 

So happy mothers day to you all! Hold yourself up and hear the applause I'm sending your way. No matter what your day is like right now.  

Am I Ready Now?

Christians have a flaw. Want to know what it is? Well, they have many, actually. We are human like any other. However, there is a big one we share in countries where we don't see physical persecution. Ready for this?

 

We get too comfortable. 

That is the big one. For some of us, we hold to the teachings that Christians will have an easier life once we give our lives to Christ. We will get rich, live comfortably, be happy. But that is false. Jesus didn't preach that, but the opposite. Life would be harder. Temptations would hound us. We would be uncomfortable. We would lose relationships because we won't waver on our beliefs. THAT is the truth of a Christian who is living for Him. 

Recently, I watched a video that encouraged me. But also reminded me. Growing in Christ is uncomfortable. My dreams have to die for Christ to resurrect them in His way. Jesus Christ is amazing at resurrecting things, did you know that? After all, He came back from the dead himself!  

But lately, I have let myself get comfortable. I wasn't praying as often. I wasn't reading my Bible for myself as much. Don't get me wrong. I pray every single day. I read my Bible every single day. But not for my personal growth. Saying thank you for the meal. Or whispering a prayer for a friend. Or reading during my devotions with my husband are great. But they aren't for my own growth. So I got comfy and called it enough. But the truth is, it wasn't. I was struggling harder than ever to really get in deep and accomplish the Lord's will. I was letting things wear me down to the nub. I was questioning what God wanted of me. Told myself that as long as I raised my 4 kids to be Christian adults that could survive this world on their own, all was good enough. But I have this urge to do more. Be more. That this isn't all I'm meant to accomplish. Maybe I am an overachiever. Maybe that is why I push myself to go further than my limits. 

So today, I'm making a statement. I'm making a change. Maybe because someone I love is facing a mountain that I want them to cross. Maybe because walking is not working well today and that frightens me into submission. Or maybe because a song played that reminded me of my loose faith. But today I say, "I'm Ready Now." I stand ready to be stretched. I stand ready to watch what miracles my God will bring about.  

How about you, Christian? Are YOU ready to let go of your comfort and follow God more closely? I hope so. I hope you will join me in stretching out our faith in Christ and allowing Him to work through us. See where He wants to take us. 

Will I Still Be Thankful?

Thanksgiving Day in the United States is the one day a year when we are supposed to remember all the things we are thankful for. If you aren't a Christian, it is simply a tradition. Hopefully you get the day off. You eat a lot of good foods. Take a nap when the tryptophan kicks in. Maybe watch the parade and football games. Have a relaxing day. 

But if you are a Christian, you reach deeper than all that. You remember all those things that God has blessed you with in this year. Bills were paid. Needs are covered. Kids are healthy. Husband is happy and well. Didn't burn the meal. All this falls second to the thankfulness we feel that we are saved, however. We have an eternal future. 

I was on cloud nine Thanksgiving morning. Things hadn't been going the best leading up to Thanksgiving, but the day itself was working out well enough. The meal was amazing. The migraine stayed in the background. We even ran food to an elderly friend, and let another friends dogs out while they are on a mission trip. Since I was getting tired, I thought a nap was in order. My alarm went off, and I didn't want to get up. But that was okay. I have kids. And one of them came to wake us up. The sink was spraying water again. Welp... Guess it thought our leaking and broke down washing machine was not enough of a headache for me. 

Like one of my sons said, "At least it waited until we had finished washing all the dishes." Yes, at least there was that. My head was spinning. Stay thankful through all this trouble. It isn't always easy. My husband reminds me often that we are to write things in pencil. Be flexible to what God has coming our way.  

1 Thessalonians 5:18 has been a good reminder. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." God uses these trials to build up our dependence on Him. To seek His guidance and see what He is trying to teach us. But if you back up 2 verses, you see even more that needs to be kept with verse 18. We are to "Rejoice evermore" and "Pray without ceasing". All the while knowing that we also need to give thanks through it all. Not that we should have the attitude of "Thank you, God that everything is falling apart and I feel like a boat tossed in the wave right now! Hallelujah that my life is upside down!" That isn't what I'm saying. More like this attitude... "Thank you, Lord for the patience and peace that only you can give me right now. I don't know what Your plan is, but I know You have one. And things will work out. What do You want me to learn in this hard time?" See the difference? Saying it though, and actually doing it... yeah, two different things. 

In the end, we got one of the problems fixed. It required buying a new faucet for the kitchen sink, but God provided. My washing machine has sent me back to the pioneer days for some of our laundry, but I know it will all be fixed one day and I will rely on God to grant me the patience and strength until then. I think that is what this is about for now. How long will I continue to be thankful? And will I patiently wait?  

Time Keeps Ticking By...

We celebrated the eldest child's birthday last month. A whopping 17 years! Talk about an eye-opener for this mama. It hit me pretty good. But this month, we celebrate another birthday. That of the youngest child. 9 years have passed already?? Next year, we see double digits. I told her that is when she is not just a big girl, but a really big girl. She plays video games alongside her siblings. She has that silver tongue skill that comes from Daddy's side. This is my last little baby. All grown up. Almost. She acts and speaks older than her peers at times. Makes me so proud. But then scares me. Where is all this time going?! Am I doing it right still? Is there more I should be doing? I mean these questions hit me last month with the oldest. I'm about to have a couple high school graduates (boys are only a week apart in their final year). Then I have to teach them both to drive. We have already started talking about jobs they have an interest in. 

I can only imagine this is how my parents thought. Granted, I graduated much earlier and threw them for a loop. But they had a handful when it came time for this. Being the oldest of 10, I was the trial and error kid. Now, I get to contemplate my own trial and error moments. 

This journey is far from over. In some ways, it is only beginning. It thrills me. It frightens me. Thankfully, my best friend and coworker (my husband), helps me through. I can't imagine doing this alone. However, above it all, someone else is walking me through it. God. He sustains me. Gives me the energy I need to maintain this daily grind. Helps me when I feel like I'm losing my ever-lovin' mind! 

I might not do it all right. But I'm giving it my best and praying that God will continue to work all to the good of those that love Him. Romans 8:28. Just one day at a time.  

                            Remembering the days when she was so little....

Getting Organized in Little Ways

I have been dealing with a lot of pain lately. Some days I am not walking too well. But despite that, I have tried to push myself. One project at a time. No matter how little that project might be. I pulled out the crafting things that were "one day" things and started to put them together. More mindful of the things having a place and everything in its place, sort of mentality. It gets messy in the process, but the end results are fantastic. 

I created a new shelf for the home goods that go in the store I built. Nothing too crazy, just from things that I had. Like cardboard and shelf tops from the Mini Brands Books sets. But it is a beautiful addition! And it makes me feel accomplished. You can get more insight on this from the video I made HERE.

I added a statuette that a friend brought back from her travels to the Middle East. It was an exotic find! I love how cute it looks. Makes my doll look like a traveled lady, I think. 

I unpacked and organized the dolls that were stuck in boxes. Gave them a chance to show off! Starting to look like a full house in here... 

My older daughter had fun helping me set up the shelves. We tried to sort everyone by the type that they were. These little things help me feel like I'm still getting somewhere with everything that seems on hold. I don't feel useless as much, though I still have those moments. 

A Life On Hold

It feels like forever since I was posting on here. But that is what happens when you are flailing through life. These days, I'm constantly tugged one way or another. 

 

I have teenage boys that I need to get through their final high school lessons. They are struggling with the Algebra. Moms nemesis in school subjects. So we have a lot of days of failed tests and "I hate my life" speeches that I have to listen to. 

I have two girls who are only 4 years apart and yet may as well be 10 years in difference some days. They are constantly getting on each others nerves. 

And then there is the husband. In the south we have a term... God bless his poor little heart! He is generally patient. But even his patience seems to have dwindled since the high school saga began. Can't tell you how many days I have felt as though I'm walking this path alone. House full of people, but only one me to keep the balance. Gets tiring. Must be showing. I had a lady at church tell me she thought she needed to take me out of the house for a while. 

We don't do school on Fridays. Why? Because when else am I going to catch up on housework, bake for the weekend, and reset my brain to 'social' mode? Monday to Thursdays, I'm not a very social person. I'm holding on to that thin thread of sanity while trying not to decide if all 4 kids need to survive to adulthood. *Edit - NO, I'm not considering which kids to sacrifice to maintain my sanity. It was meant as a joke. Watch Jeff Allen and Tim Hawkins sometimes, people.* On Fridays, we sometimes go to Bible study (been missing a lot of those lately). I have to get myself psyched up to smile and chat and answer all the questions I can otherwise avoid. On Saturdays, I can get errands done. My husband will take me to any of the places we can't get to during the week, but he has this weird thing about being home and done by 3PM. I feel like Saturday is a race. How quickly can I run through stores and find what I'm looking for? Can I be done before he checks the time on his phone, or makes the motion of looking at the invisible watch on his wrist? Then comes Sunday. We have church in the morning, and unless it is an absolute NEED, we don't go out any more. 

This is where my husband shares his concerns that I'm at home too much. And it makes me crazy. See above and insert *I wonder why...* to the thought train.

All this to say, my crafting and my blogging have taken to the very back of the bus. Unless I'm working on a review that requires a blogged bit, there is a good chance you won't see very many posts popping up in your feed until life reaches a more.... balanced era. So if you like what you see, savor each one while you can. 

Until next time!

Busy About Life

I have noticed that I haven't been on here much. But that doesn't mean nothing is happening around here. Quite the opposite actually! We went to the Sheriff's Halloween Bash. It is definitely one of our favorite events of the year. If not THE favorite event of the year. One of my daughters got to wear her Mikasa from Attack on Titan cosplay she made. My other daughter was Mavis from Hotel Transylvania. One of my sons was Dark Link from Legend of Zelda.

I was a Sith. Friends from our church put this together. And they do a fantastic job. Word has gotten around. The line was definitely longer this year!

I also made a wonderful cake for our friend's anniversary that we had at the fall festival. It was delicious and made the event that much more fun.

My kids even got to ride horses for the first time while there. It made my heart so happy.

I've even gotten a request for another commissioned dessert in a couple weeks. But hey, this is just the light side of all the things I'm working on. I have another project in the works that is really exciting, so be watching! I also have some reviews on the sideboard.