tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703251051966296732024-03-06T01:12:28.103-08:00Our broken roadWelcome to the ramblings of a mother constantly trying to better the life of her family while trying to hold on to a piece of herself along the way...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger420125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-2125090321282026642017-12-31T12:01:00.002-08:002017-12-31T12:01:54.042-08:00Cold Quiet moments I find myself thinking alot about this little blog and about how much I have enjoyed writing it. How I have so much to say but just haven't taken the time to put it into words. And then, I find myself reflecting over the last year of insanity my family has made it thru and I think of all the little moments that I didn't take the time for this or that... I guess that's what has been weighing on my heart and mind more and more lately. How much of our lives are spent rushing to get to next best thing, or the work that just "has to get done"? Are we are missing the joy in the little moments that are right here and now but soon to pass by and be gone in the blink of an eye?<br />
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For those of you that don't know, (and how could you when I have been missing from this space for so long!) my family has been in quite the uproar with my husband's retirement from the military. It all started in January 2017 when we found ourselves needing to move out of our rental... only to find ourselves safe in the hands of God's plan for us! Most of our belongings went into not temp storage and we moved into our then vacant church parsonage! This year has been full of SO many ups and downs, both good and bad, exhausting and emotional times but when all is said and done so VERY blessed!!<br />
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Our year led us from that cozy parsonage behind an amazing little country church, to our camper parked in Idaho with dear friends, to a few weeks back and forth from Washington to Montana to Idaho and back to Montana on a job hunt that eventually led us to a job in central Montana where we would live with family for 3 months before FINALLY closing on our house! And now, we are trying to set up our home and find a new "normal" while being oh so homesick for our church family and 4h /homeschool groups. The thread thru all of this though is that God is so good! He has provided for us time and time again and though things haven't always gone the way WE planned, we know that in His timing all things are perfect...<br />
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Which leads me to this picture... for years we have missed our Alaska and the cold winters and snowy days/nights that go with it! Everyone keeps saying that we will get sick of it but I am of the mind set not to let those thoughts settle in my mind!! We have missed the snow for over 11 years and in some strange way, I see it as a blessing...<br />
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You see, when it snows as much as it has here in the last 4 days or so, you don't have any choice but to slow down, focus on what's important and take care of what really matters!! For us, it means staying warm in negative temperatures, making sure that our outside animals are cared for and keeping the snow shoveled or plowed before the next round of snow sets in!<br />
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It is during these times of shoveling that I find myself having some great thinking time in the cold quiet moments outside. I think of the simplicity of shoveling snow and going back into the warmth of our home and how blessed we are to have it! I think about the irony that when we were in Washington, we had so many commitments we couldn't keep up with them all and didn't take enough time to spend more time with the people that matter so much to us. Why didn't we take the time for coffee with friends more often? Why didn't we have our favorite families over for dinner more? Why didn't I bake cookies to share with neighbors? Now I find myself with no activities or commitments and a beautiful house perfect for entertaining and yet now those people we are missing so very much aren't here to have over for coffee, or dinner.<br />
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As I was shoveling snow on numerous occasions in the last few days, my mind seemed to keep going back to that thought ...BE PRESENT. We all need to be more present and take note of the people we love while we can! This thought has been playing over and over in my mind and I want to figure out how to instill that idea in the heart of our kids while we still can so that they too can be more present in the here and now and to learn to reach out more, write a letter to someone they miss, or pick up the phone and call that special person... in a world full of technology with texting and video gaming you would think those things would bring us closer together not isolate people that are sitting right next to us while we "chat" with one word answers and smiley faces. I want to do better myself and I want better for our kids...more about my plan to do just that in the next entry....<br />
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This year has been hard but full of blessings and so many of those blessings have been people that God brought into our lives. This new year that is before us will be exciting and new and full of God's blessing too... I just hope we can all be aware and present so we make the most of them!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-48694815098597392712016-07-29T08:17:00.000-07:002016-07-30T08:33:54.486-07:00Shower the people...<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<sup><span style="background-color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was looking thru pictures the other day, and I came across some that I had taken for a friend and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thistlefeatherfarm/?fref=ts" target="_blank">her business</a>. It was a bright, sun shining, beautiful day. Her and I spent the afternoon working on things for our upcoming festivals. Her wrapping soaps and me cutting out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HandsOnFunToys/?fref=ts" target="_blank">puppet parts</a> while our gaggle of kids spent hours playing together on an amazingly hot PNW summer day. For me, seeing those pictures was a reminder of the last day I felt normal... the next day I would get <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2015/08/ringing-in-my-ears.html" target="_blank">a phone call that would change my world</a> and change me forever...</span></sup><br />
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<sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I've always known that I wanted to speak at my Gram's funeral. I didn't know how I would ever be able to but I knew that God would hold me up and give me the words when I needed Him to. It's been a year today that we lost one of the greatest women I have ever known. It's been a year of feeling lost and empty at times, but it's also been a year of love and focus... </span></sup></span><br />
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<sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">If I learned anything from my Gram it was to LOVE in the little things and to LOVE in the big things... to focus on what's important like God, and family and friends... and to love unconditionally...</span></sup></span><br />
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<sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I've been asked a number of times to share the words that I spoke the day we buried her but I just haven't been able to push send. Those words were the last thing that were just mine for her. But she wouldn't want me to keep it to myself so I am sharing them now, for anyone that knew her to take a moment to remember her and for anyone that didn't get the priveledge of knowing her to at least have a moment to hear about how great she was and to somehow take a little bit of goodness from it and pass it on out into the world....</span></sup></span><br />
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<sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 20pt;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 31 verse 10-31 reads<o:p></o:p></span></span></sup></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+31&version=NLT#fen-NLT-17271b" title="See footnote b"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">b</span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She is more
precious than rubies.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">11 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her husband can
trust her,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and she will
greatly enrich his life.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">12 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She brings him
good, not harm,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">all the days of
her life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">13 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She finds wool and flax<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and busily spins
it.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">14 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She is like a
merchant’s ship,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">bringing her food
from afar.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">15 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She gets up before
dawn to prepare breakfast for her household<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and plan the
day’s work for her servant girls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">16 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She goes to inspect a field and
buys it;<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">with her earnings
she plants a vineyard.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">17 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She is energetic
and strong,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">a hard worker.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">18 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She makes sure
her dealings are profitable;<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">her lamp burns
late into the night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">19 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her hands are busy spinning thread,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">her fingers
twisting fiber.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">20 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She extends a
helping hand to the poor<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and opens her
arms to the needy.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">21 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She has no fear
of winter for her household,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">for everyone has
warm</span><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+31&version=NLT#fen-NLT-17282c" title="See footnote c"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">c</span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">22 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She makes her own bedspreads.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She dresses in
fine linen and purple gowns.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">23 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her husband is
well known at the city gates,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">where he sits
with the other civic leaders.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">24 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She makes belted
linen garments<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and sashes to
sell to the merchants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">25 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She is clothed with strength and
dignity,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and she laughs
without fear of the future.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">26 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When she speaks,
her words are wise,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and she gives
instructions with kindness.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">27 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She carefully
watches everything in her household<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and suffers
nothing from laziness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">28 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her children stand and bless her.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her husband
praises her:<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">29 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“There are many
virtuous and capable women in the world,<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">but you surpass
them all!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">30 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Charm is deceptive, and beauty does
not last;<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">but a woman who
fears the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will be
greatly praised.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">31 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reward her for
all she has done.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Let her deeds publicly
declare her praise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a Christian
wife and mother, this scripture is acts as much of a blue print for the woman I
am aiming to be. It defines the woman or wife of noble character. For a number
of years now, I have been studying about this scripture and learning how to be
a better wife and mother through the eyes of God. What I didn’t realize until
recently was what an amazing example of this I have been living with and loving
my entire life. It wasn’t until recently that I got a clearer image in my mind
of what that kind of woman would look like and I realized that it was my Gram
through and through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My relationship
with my gram hasn’t just been that of some elderly distant figure like most
people I know. It’s been more like that of a second mom. When I was little and
we lived with Grammy and Papa, I spent my early years at home with Gram while
my mom was at work. I didn’t realize until I was older and starting a family of
my own, just how important that time in my life was and how lucky I was to have
spent it with her instead of in the care of strangers. I think back on how
their home was really that house that built me… her and my papa (along with my
mom of course) gave me the best foundation for life that I person could ask for… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my
earliest memories in life, are of her in the kitchen, and really a lot of my
memories focused around that room. She was always baking…. Baking bread and
cookies and meals for my Papa to take to camp. I can remember her skilled hands
rolling out pie dough and making them with such precision that you would have
thought they were store bought ( only hers were better!) She would cut off the excess crust and
sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar before rolling it into a circle and baking it
for a special treat for me… it was in those everyday tasks, the tiny
insignificant gestures that she showed me how to love, and to feel important.
Looking back and being a mom it was probably just a way to get me out from
under her feet but to me it made me feel so special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gram would get up
every morning and make Papa’s lunches and then she would have the oven going
with the door propped open and my school clothes draped over a chair so they
would be warm in the morning when I came down to get ready for school…. Her
love shone thru in the everyday simple details. She was showing me how to love,
how to be a great mom and how to dedicate my life to my husband and God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is my belief that the greatest testimony to Christ is to live our lives loving each other... my Gram did that with every breath she ever took. The greatest thankyou we can ever give those we love here on earth is to take what they gave us, not in money but in love and pass that on to the next generation. I knew for my entire life that when I grew up, I wanted boy or girl to name my kids after Grammy and Papa. And today, I can look out into the faces of Janie and Rori and know that they are the greatest legacy I could ever leave for a woman that was everything to me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I didn’t know if
I would be able to stand up and speak, but my Papa asked me the other day
if I really thought I’d be able to and I told him that I was just trusting in God to give me a few minutes of
calm. A friend of mine mentioned that his grandma was the pattern for his life
too and I loved the thought of that…. My gram is that pattern of everything
good that I am…. She was with me when my babies were little and I’d kiss the bottom of their feet like she used to
mine, and she is with me in every meal I make and serve on the dishes I now
have that were hers…. She will continue to be with me every morning when I get up
to make my husband coffee and lunch because she lead by example by being the
kind of 31 wife I want to be…. And she will be with me with every dough I kneed
or pie I roll out….or orange cookie that someday I will make for my
grandchildren…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When most people want
to celebrate a person they will gesture to raise a glass…. But I want celebrate
by raising a cookie instead because last week heaven got a little bit sweeter….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W5i8WvJxa-E" width="560"></iframe></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-75375001034678017192016-01-29T08:42:00.000-08:002016-04-06T08:54:54.386-07:00Words that change youIt's funny how fast our outlook on a day can change in the blink of an eye. It could be both for the good or the bad, it all depends on if we let it. Our day could change course from something as simple as a glass of spilled milk putting us in a bad mood, or it could be something as whimsy as getting a card in the mail from a friend to completely turn our day around. Why is it that we as humans can be so fickle and easily controlled?<br />
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For a number of years now, I have been part of a group of Christian ladies on Facebook that chose a word to focus on for the year. A friend of mine set this group up and I felt honored to be included in a group of ladies focused on giving God the glory in our lives and using the fruits of the spirit <span style="font-size: large;">( love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) </span>one word at a time, to really get to know Him better.<br />
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It has been amazing to me how the words that the group chose to focus on really seemed to fit our particular lives that year. In 2013, we found out about my father's cancer and unexpectedly around the same time, we were<a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2013/07/when-god-is-your-realtor.html" target="_blank"> forced to move</a> to a new house....finding PEACE in those situations was sometimes challenging but just having that word as a reminder of HIS timing was sometimes the only thing getting me thru...<br />
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And then in 2014, we found ourselves having to be PATIENT ....my father had many set backs that put him in the hospital. Living on the opposite side of the country made it almost unbearable... sitting by the phone <a href="http://www.ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2015/03/if-memories-ring-true.html" target="_blank">waiting for news</a> was a new way of life there for awhile and the day he had his stroke I decided to take the phone and go outside... I wasn't feeling the patience to just be still and so I spent much of that spring with a phone in my pocket and work gloves on my hands. I was finding my patience more in action that anything. I spent a LOT of time in my garden talking to God.That year was something I would have never chosen to have to go thru but looking back I learned so much and found a stronger connection to God than I ever thought possible.<br />
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After the great year of loss we'd had, I was going into 2015 with very much of a wounded heart. The online group I'd been part of was using the word KINDNESS but to be completely honest, I just wasn't feeling it. I had to find my own JOY again... It sounds silly to say that I needed to find joy when I know that it was all around me in so many things that I loved that truly did bring me joy but I was so numb from the losses we had in 2014, I needed to really <i>feel</i> the joy again. I tried to focus on the little things, I put that word around my house in every way I could. We would randomly find things at stores and in books or movies that really screamed JOY and my family all rallied around me and reminded me every chance they had that "JOY" was <i>my </i>word! Little did I know, that a purse I had specially made with the word embroidered on it would come in the mail<a href="http://www.ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2015/08/ringing-in-my-ears.html" target="_blank"> the day my Gram died.</a> God was really putting it on my heart to not forget the joy. That one three little letter word would change my outlook on even my darkest days.<br />
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Our lives are not our own, No matter how much we think we can control them. There will always be ups and downs in our days and weeks and months that we have absolutely no control over but we will always have the choice of how we react to them. Our lives would take another turn in 2015 that I haven't shared here on this blog. Our family welcomed in my 17 yr old step son and the dynamics of the life we had would be forever changed. Once again, there are good days and bad days when dealing with the life of a teenager but I hope that we welcomed him in a way that he could see God working in our lives and that he came to our home feeling loved and safe...<br />
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As we entered into 2016, it was really a mess of emotions and a lot of exhaustion. The fb group that I have been part of moved on to a new word for the year and chose GOODNESS. I kept waiting for God to really lead me to embrace a word but the direction just isn't coming so for now I will just wait for His quiet whisper ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-50667874536972683472016-01-01T23:07:00.001-08:002016-01-01T23:07:19.250-08:00A hand of memories not cards...I know it's going to sound dumb but new years eve just didn't have the same excitement as it usually does. It didn't have the same anticipation of something new coming but rather a feel of wanting to hold on to something that isn't possible to hold on to. The strange thing about grief is that is shows up in the strangest places and at the most unexpected times. Movies you have watched a hundred times will suddenly trigger a memory or emotion that you didn't see coming, songs that you used to love will have parts that pop out to you and stir up feelings that you've never had when listing to that particular lyric before. Grief also hits you when you see a person's handwriting somewhere and you take a deep breath in as if all the air has been sucked out of your lungs...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg11TilTfk9Dhj3hguZnzPQvjoesE4a5uCaeMjhHzKgVN6gmVdQi7rHKRxQQAauRxfNzCDTzp1ziYbpnoNUrv9mBBBG7DBLKZ16al4J1bsltXjF1MnVfN4vfMWJUkEhmpM8iOQt2NfMpk/s1600/20151231_221629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg11TilTfk9Dhj3hguZnzPQvjoesE4a5uCaeMjhHzKgVN6gmVdQi7rHKRxQQAauRxfNzCDTzp1ziYbpnoNUrv9mBBBG7DBLKZ16al4J1bsltXjF1MnVfN4vfMWJUkEhmpM8iOQt2NfMpk/s320/20151231_221629.jpg" width="320" /></a>Last night, my hubby and three kiddos spent the evening eating yummy food and playing a card game that I used to play with my Gram called Groups and Runs. It's a game that her and I would play for hours, every visit we had together. There would be a year or more in between that I wouldn't play it but when we were together for visits in the summer ,we pulled out those cards and it was like it was the new best thing! Sometimes my Papa or Mom would play but really it was just something between Gram and I. The game has 10 hands of cards to it, so we'd find a pad of paper or sometimes just a scratch piece of paper and start keeping score. Occasionally we wouldn't finish the whole 10 hands, the paper would get lost or we'd run out of time on the trip but you could always be sure we'd pick up those cards on our next visit. After my husband and I married, my gram and I welcomed him into our card playing tradition. I treasure the memories of playing with both of them together and I know my husband does too. When Gram passed, there was lots of cleaning things out at the request of my papa and they kept trying to include my husband in the process of giving out sentimental things that had been hers. For me it was over whelming the things that made me feel closer to her, but for him it was pretty straight forward. If no one minded, he would like to have a deck of her cards....I don't know why I hadn't thought of it myself actually. It had been years since she had been able to play with us, and the last few times were rather upsetting for me as she was having trouble remembering the rules and you could tell it left her flustered to try. But for my husband, he was able to just think of the good times, sitting at the table and the heckling that was sure to bounce back and forth between the two of them. He got her humor and she thought the world of him.<br />
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So, as I sat at my own kitchen table with my husband and three kids gathered around me last night, it was uplifting to me that we'd spend the last evening of 2015 doing something that she had once loved to do with me. I know that none of them probably realized how much that meant to me, especially my daughter who was having an off night of cards and ended up with a horrible score in the end....those special moments spent around a table TOGETHER are the ones that someday we'll look back on. It's not the time spent chatting on our phones or the hours spent playing shoot'em up games on the computer that make memories, it's the time we spend engaged in each other and making each other a priority that builds relationships. Kids of this generations don't get that. They think that socializing has to be done at a computer with headsets on, not face to face hanging out with friends.<br />
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As I sat snuggled with my oldest daughter on the couch watching the ball drop in Time Square on tv, I had this sudden panic feeling and tears started streaming down my face.... I know that we can't stop our lives from moving on and I wouldn't want to. My Gram wouldn't want us to either. But for a few moments the tears over came me and I suddenly just hated the thought that I was entering into a new year without her....After the kids were tucked in bed, I went digging into my closet for a box that I was pretty sure was there but until now I hadn't been able to find. Then I remembered that I had transferred it into a new box. I went right in, found it and sat down on the floor. I sat crossed legged in my closet and opened a box full of letters and cards I've been saving for as long as I can remember and in that box I found a stack of letters addressed to me over the years and at many different addresses....all having the same steady, constant and comforting return address and name of my Gram on them. And so I welcomed the new year in by reading letters that were once written to me from my gram. In the wee hours of the night, I was reminded that she will always be with me. She is with me in the very fibers of my being, in the way I love my kids, and the way I love and care for my husband. She is with me in the way treat my friends and the way I try to stay connected with people far away. I was amazed at the detail in the letters and the memories they brought back. She wasn't some eloquent writer, she just wrote from the heart.<br />
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In reading those letters about the mundane daily things she was doing and the questions she was asking me about school, and my new dog and how I was liking my new room...it was liking having a long lost conversation with her. It was an unexpected treasure I'd discovered and for once I felt glad instead of sad. As I woke up this morning, not only is it a new year by number but it is also a new year for opportunities...and that makes me feel hopeful. I woke up reminded how very much she loved me and how lucky I am to have these unexpected "conversations" tucked away in my closet. It left me feeling inspired to push myself and my family to be more present in the day to day and to hopefully instill in them the need for keeping in touch with those we care about. In a world of technology, and instant gratification with snap chat, twitter, facebook and texting or better yet, mass emailing... where is the personal connection of seeing someone's handwriting, or the funny card they picked out just for you? Where is the personal touch of drawing out a picture or sending someone a clipping from a magazine?<br />
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Today I woke up challenged to reconnect. I want someone else to feel the way I did last night reading those letters. I want someone else to come across an envelope from me, to see the return address on the envelope and have it make them smile. I want someone else to receive a piece of mail that isn't junk or bills and know that someone is thinking of them. I want my letters to make someone feel loved...<br />
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Won't you join me in sending some love out into the world this new year's day?<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-72810984239623551882015-09-16T11:43:00.000-07:002015-09-16T11:43:01.345-07:00Real friends bring tea bags and toilet paper... I feel like I have lived a charmed life in some way, having never dealt with such huge losses in the way I have this last year. That's not to say I've never lost someone close to me because I have, but until last year it was much older family and never someone I've had such close relationships with. That being said, I have been learning a lot about the grieving process and how important it is to have friends that reach out at just the right time.<br />
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Now, I don't want this blog to become something you dread reading. I don't want it to focus strictly on the losses my family has experienced this last couple years but on the other hand I don't want to ignore it either. I would rather be honest about thoughts and feelings and maybe help someone else that is going thru this or can relate. And don't get me wrong, there have been many blessing in our lives too and continues to be, intermixed with the sadness. Not to worry, we are taking notice of the blessings along the way too. But some days, the sadness just seeps in and seems to hover in my immediate area.There is no rhyme or reason and no pushing it away. Sometimes it just means having a blue day and allowing myself to feel it. It's not something that everyone can understand but when they do, it means alot.<br />
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Through all the loss and funerals and such, I've also witnessed some incredible kindness and love. I never realized how much it meant to get a sympathy card in the mail. How one little card can let a person know that someone else out there is thinking about them. The first sympathy card I got after my Gram's passing actually had a cloth hanky in it. Crisp and new and o so pretty. I ended up holding it thru most of the visitation and funeral as a reminder that I had people praying for us.<br />
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I don't know about you but I know I never feel like I know exactly what to do when a friend loses someone. Will my meal be good enough? What if I show up and they are busy? I don't want to bother them. How can I help without getting in the way?<br />
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Through all this, I have learned that it doesn't have to be some grand gesture, some perfect act of kindness... it just needs to be SOMETHING.... Even if it isn't the food you would normally eat, when a meal shows up at your door you welcome it in and enjoy it because you know that the person who made it or brought it just wanted to help and lighten your load. When my husband's grandfather passed away, their church family flooded us with food. Some in the form of meals and some that I would consider to be more filler- cases of water, cases of individual orange juice bottles, chips, breakfast foods and yes.... toilet paper! I can remember laughing about the toilet paper... but when you really think about it, it was brilliant! Within a matter of days of his grandfather taking a turn for the worse, my husband's aunt and uncle had 6 extra people staying with them and certainly no time to go stock up on things like toilet paper! All of those little things were lifesavers....<br />
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More recently, when my gram passed away, my mom's house was also overwhelmed with food. Friends from all directions brought in lunch meat platters, fried chicken with salad choices, and they all rallied to have a hot meal delivered for about a week after the funeral. Knowing that we had to eat was obvious but if we had had to make it, I really don't know that any of us would have gone to the effort. In times like that, you just go numb...<br />
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Some of things that were brought that really stood out to me weren't things I would have ever thought of. We got there (from west coast to east coast) within 3 days and already my mom's friends had her freezer full of frozen waffles/pancakes, her counters covered in breakfast cereals and a huge bag of misc tea bags waiting for those quiet moments that were sure to come. I think her friends probably felt pretty helpless and just went into their own personal cupboards and freezers to find things they thought we could use. I picture them in a hurry to help, arms reaching into their own kitchens so intent on getting to my mom's side.... Isn't that what we are supposed to do? As friends, family and Christians... aren't we supposed to just pull together and help comfort or sometimes hold up each other when we need it? It was all those little things that I think about when I am having a hard day. I took a picture of the tea bags because at the time, they really struck a cord with me. They were something so simple but so sweet and thoughtful.<br />
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On the day of the visitation, it was pretty much a constant sea of friends and family pouring in the doors of that beautiful old funeral home. Some were friends I hadn't seen in nearly 30 years, while some were friends from my parents' church who had never even met my gram but had traveled great distances to be there for our family. I have never really been one for going to funerals or viewings for people I don't know incredibly well but I have to say, I learned something thru this experience. I've learned that it's really not about the person that died... its about all the people left behind and that's not just including their immediate families. When you think about all the people that are touched by the life of one person.... there are so many people that are left to grieve when they are gone. Going to that visitation, seeing the family and friends that you don't get to see on a regular basis and getting to hear the stories and catch up on their lives too... that is so much a part of the healing process...<br />
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I guess what I'm trying to say, is that when you feel the need to reach out to someone who is having a rough day, or to someone that is hurting due to the loss of someone or just because of life that seems to be coming on too strong... follow that urge! If you meant to send a card but didn't and now it seems too late... send it! The healing doesn't happen over night, and many times the darkest hours are going to come long after the funerals are over and the meals/kindness have stopped.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpdDlk7uQy_TcFHEq07YabCHDWopQCvFgzCoUg_9bpHOe2OqSCsHGrilCkoQPvbji58SlLjNfsISZGwBSJBvtkuN75kcInlOXdVgcOANmWbd5rOT4IyDFWNwdT0Mebgjh9wo0Q5NVRa4/s1600/IMG_7195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpdDlk7uQy_TcFHEq07YabCHDWopQCvFgzCoUg_9bpHOe2OqSCsHGrilCkoQPvbji58SlLjNfsISZGwBSJBvtkuN75kcInlOXdVgcOANmWbd5rOT4IyDFWNwdT0Mebgjh9wo0Q5NVRa4/s400/IMG_7195.JPG" width="266" /></a>I think one of the biggest problems in our world today is that we are so afraid of what others will think of us. I hope that people will look back on me as someone who cared... even to a fault. If each of us would just reach out to another person today, tomorrow and the next etc... can you imagine how much better our lives would be? That's what I try to remember on the hard days. When I look back on the many people we've lost in the last few years, I see people who cared. I see people who weren't afraid to reach out and help a friend. I see people who are no longer here on earth with us but I also carry the lessons they taught deep in my heart. I think we have all probably had people like that in our lives.... won't you join me in honoring them by doing something nice for someone else? Be the change...<br />
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I would love to hear back from anyone reading this. Feel free to share something thoughtful that someone else has done for you or something you did to reach out. It's not about bragging, but in sharing ideas. You'll never know how much your actions might inspire someone else...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><i>This blanket was a gift given to my Papa from the diner where </i></div>
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<i>he goes almost daily... </i></div>
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<i>6 of the workers came as a group to present it to him. </i></div>
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<i>You could literally feel the love walking in the door for him... </i></div>
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<i> We should all be lucky enough to have friends like that! </i></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-82945649715971693622015-08-26T18:53:00.000-07:002016-07-30T08:53:34.965-07:00Ringing in my ears...I thought we were past all the ringing of bells, or rather the ringing of phones.... but life doesn't really seem to work that way does it? We seem to think if we can just get over this one little hurtle, life will even out, slow down and somehow get easier, right? .... Not so much...<br />
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It was another busy day of activities for the kids. I was just getting home and sat down to catch up on things when I noticed the blinking on the phone.<br />
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We had a message.<br />
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The message was from a lady we know thru church. She had heard that we might be looking for a house to rent (our current landlord had mentioned maybe needing to sell) and wondered if we would be interested in checking out her parents' house. They had been moved into an assisted living facility and their house was sitting empty and would be in need of renters soon. My husband walked in in the middle of me calling her back and it was decided we would be meeting up in less than an hour to check it out. Talk about a leap of faith... we loved where we were living and didn't want to move but we also knew there wasn't much out there in the way of rentals for our area and definitely not a house that was in our budget AND allowed for us to bring along our close to zoo collection of critters....We had been living month to month just waiting for our landlord to give the word (or a ring!) that we needed to be out....It's in moments like these that we feel God the most. It's as if He is trying to steer us in whispers not yells. He is giving us the puzzle pieces but it's up to us to put them together and see the big picture, or at least a part of it. He was waiting for us to take the bait, to step out on faith... and we did.<br />
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Sometimes you never get to see the intricate details of God's plan. You might see his gentle course but not be able to see the why of something. We, however, saw the outcome of our stepping out on faith a mere week later... when our current landlord came to tell us he was putting the house on the market. God is so good to have this house lined up for us before we even thought we needed it.<br />
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It was decided that we would get all our ducks in a row ( no pun intended), which included a trip for me and the kids to see my parents and grandparents (Grammy and Papa) back east, while the lady from church got her parents' things moved out and the house ready for renters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BqXbq-HzJP8xfEMhrPUAAYTLrD8cc-6TjLEhTWfb_zm6wXnfKX2_aCA2Dlqxc3m__g7vhrh3oBtkkWsrXMwRlouf-FRP4oe0nS_nqB_ICg-Y8uc5D-dJlu7Yu3ANWAbrThpchH1V9H0/s1600/11082639_10152676539492687_7177093376211115714_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BqXbq-HzJP8xfEMhrPUAAYTLrD8cc-6TjLEhTWfb_zm6wXnfKX2_aCA2Dlqxc3m__g7vhrh3oBtkkWsrXMwRlouf-FRP4oe0nS_nqB_ICg-Y8uc5D-dJlu7Yu3ANWAbrThpchH1V9H0/s320/11082639_10152676539492687_7177093376211115714_n.jpg" width="176" /></a> It had been over a year already since we were back to visit, and my Gram has been suffering from dementia and strokes. The thought of a move ahead of me, on top of being tired from our other recent life changes was just too much to think of putting off a visit any longer. So the kids and I got on a plane and dear hubby stayed home to work and care for all our critters.<br />
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I had no idea that that trip too was in God's plan. Looking back, maybe he forced his hand in speeding up our move just so I would have to jump at the chance to go back "home"...before life would change more than I could ever imagine and my idea of going home would be forever altered...<br />
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July 29th I woke up to my home phone ringing....in a bleary state, we couldn't get to it in time. Then my cell started ringing and I knew that something was big....I heard my mom's voice on the other end and she was quickly telling me that my Gram was in the hospital again. I was listening as intently as I could being half asleep and yet wide awake with emotions but she might as well have been talking in Chinese. So much of that conversation I couldn't retain<span style="background-color: #38761d;"> <span style="color: white;">when my husband asked me for details only moments later. In a nut shell, we were losing her....I was losing my Gram, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">my idol, one of my lifelong best friends, one of my biggest supporters, the most amazing person and true Proverbs 31 woman....</span> A huge part of my heart was leaving this world and there was nothing I could do.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Times like this aren't moments you like to think about if you don't have to. It'</span>s not as if you can prepare or practice how you will feel or react. It just happens. Only we had been thru this kind of phone call a number of times in the last year or so, so I guess my mind did have it stored away somewhere of what I would have done differently if given a do-over with other loved ones we have lost. I had it in me enough to ask my mom to take the phone to her. I could hear my gram breathing, I was talking so loud in hopes that she would hear me saying "I love you" over and over...I was always ok to hang up from our conversations in the past, even the many times when she would forget how to hold the phone up for herself, if I knew that she at least heard me say I loved her....<br />
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I'd like to think she heard me one last time...<br />
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My Gram passed away a few hours later in the company of my mom, my papa/ her husband of 66 years and her pastor.<br />
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My life will never be the same as I know will be the same for anyone that ever met her, but we are trying to just keep moving. I'm working on<a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2016/07/shower-people.html" target="_blank"> another post </a>to share here and will update this entry when I do ...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-60550152752813260972015-03-06T10:31:00.000-08:002015-03-06T10:31:22.827-08:00If memories ring trueThey have the saying "saved by the bell" but is all that ringing really saving us from something or just inching us along in God's big plan for our lives....<br />
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I've been thinking about it a lot lately, not so much as a bell ringing but more like the phone... all the phone calls that we answer in life that hold an unknown outcome in that split second of rushing to answer it. Most of us don't give it a second thought. The phone rings and we answer but really we never know when a simple thing like answering the phone is going to change life as we know it....<br />
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The last year or two has been full of ringing phones that ended up altering our lives and the outcomes have left me at a loss for words to write on this little blog you are reading. It's not that I haven't had a lot to say. If anything I have had so much to say that I haven't been able to simplify my thoughts to get them out in word form. And the more time that passes, the harder it is to come back. I didn't even really think anyone would miss my ramblings but I got a card in the mail (yes that ancient for of communication that is being lost in our society!) that proved me wrong. It was a from a friend that isn't on facebook (good for her! lol) and she was writing to say that she missed my blog writings. I had left her wondering if I'd ever learned how to use my loom, had our fairy garden grown and how our animals were doing, including our newest addition Rudy ( I'll fill you in on him soon I promise!) . It got me to thinking of all the blogs that I have followed thru the years and the people behind them that I felt became like friends... only to have them leave their blogs sometimes unannounced and I've missed them....<br />
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And so, I sit here wanting to catch you up on all the phone ringing that has changed our course in the last year or so. I really don't mean to remember things in such detail but my mind just does it. It is something I am trying to let go of so maybe in writing it down I will be able to. Through everything we've had in the last year, I just hope that my actions have in some way been able to be a testimony to God. I don't know how I'd have gotten thru any of this without Him...<br />
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Really it began over two years ago when I was driving my girls to book club. My cell phone rang and I saw that it was my half- brother ( I don't like labels but to help explain family dynamics I will use them just this once.) My biological father had collapsed at work and was at the hospital. I remember the exact part of that road because I won't use my cell while I am driving so I had to pull over to talk. That call was a big one...<br />
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Then came the call that<a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2013/07/when-god-is-your-realtor.html" target="_blank"> we had to move</a>... in 6 weeks... with 48 eggs in the incubator and a small hobby farm to relocate. God was SO good in that whole situation. He had everything worked out in such detail...<br />
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There were numerous ringing of phones in regards to my father, like the one when he called to tell me it was brain cancer, and the one asking for prayers as he was having unexpected brain surgery while we were on the road traveling a few months later....<br />
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There was the call that we had lost<a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2013/07/what-really-matters.html" target="_blank"> my Great Aunt Sis</a> and unfortunately so many more calls about family friends that are no longer with us either...<br />
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The biggest collection of phone calls started last spring... It was my daughter's 10th birthday and it was a beautiful sunny day. Yet again, I got a call from my brother and my father had had a stroke....<br />
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A month later, I was sitting at my sewing machine working on puppets having a wonderfully quiet morning to myself as the girls were still in bed. The phone rang and my life would never be the same. My aunt called to tell me that my father had a brain bleed and that this was it.... The phone call I got later in the day from my brother only confirmed it... my father was gone...<br />
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This is when I think I lost the words to write. I've been keeping my thoughts and feelings mostly to myself... well, myself and God. There's been a lot to talk about, just him and I. I wasn't sure how to move on in this blog space. I couldn't just pretend that this didn't happen but I didn't know how to explain it either. My thoughts and feelings run so much deeper than I could ever explain and the family history is anything but cut and dry. :)<br />
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Last fall came the call that our 16 year old niece was in car accident and that her life was ended all too soon and then just over a month ago we got the call that we were needed in KS for my husband's grandfather... we made it in time to spend his last two days on earth with him before his passing too...<br />
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I'm not telling you all of this to ask for pity, but I have to acknowledge the events of the last year so that I can somehow leave them there... in the past... so I can move on to the new plans God has for us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsnbLlQ1j2lC3YOg99p0nKQAkgDCNVNPxaMvuyUFmf3YNQwQg5FtZitUwy7FQehsRVQWaLT0kbF70KMD890NiEuCnzVmcx-OE16C-h3OqbvOWZqwYjhlqRUKoy8Rs2BFfR05f0V-rCL8/s1600/1509321_10152622452987687_558707038016198026_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsnbLlQ1j2lC3YOg99p0nKQAkgDCNVNPxaMvuyUFmf3YNQwQg5FtZitUwy7FQehsRVQWaLT0kbF70KMD890NiEuCnzVmcx-OE16C-h3OqbvOWZqwYjhlqRUKoy8Rs2BFfR05f0V-rCL8/s1600/1509321_10152622452987687_558707038016198026_n.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
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I need to move on...the last year has been so full of grief and loss and I don't want to focus on that any more. Today is another beautiful day that God has given us and I want to live it to its fullest and in a way that gives Him all the glory.... to live in a way that pays tribute to all the people we have loved that aren't here any more.... to live in a way that that would make all those people proud... to give thanks everyday for those amazing people and for the memories we have of them....<br />
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Today is a new day and I am glad...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-45233974559899971062014-12-11T09:32:00.000-08:002014-12-11T09:32:23.917-08:00Extended sale!We really enjoy these dvds. If you would like to try them, now is the time! They've just extended their sale for 2 more days!! <script type="text/javascript">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-4708944796419584002014-02-14T10:41:00.004-08:002014-02-14T10:42:16.238-08:00{This Moment}Following <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/" target="_blank">Soule Mama</a>'s idea...<br />
<span style="background-color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.5px; text-align: center;"> A Friday ritual. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.5px; text-align: center;"> A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #38761d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.5px; text-align: center;"> A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQHXUFAgFyF0EUAzEjZmCHshX3oUjj4vtOWeA_SrbKqqgrhpJGVQOanLRO8QSSglIKUqqs7EN0Bkq-bYSU-Lw3VLzcKvaFitxuKG1QAidXXIBP0sY4Dnf7ZlrCjgvPl4bGNiE961tuwQ/s1600/IMG_9522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQHXUFAgFyF0EUAzEjZmCHshX3oUjj4vtOWeA_SrbKqqgrhpJGVQOanLRO8QSSglIKUqqs7EN0Bkq-bYSU-Lw3VLzcKvaFitxuKG1QAidXXIBP0sY4Dnf7ZlrCjgvPl4bGNiE961tuwQ/s1600/IMG_9522.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-31378043201198967102014-02-07T08:19:00.000-08:002014-02-07T13:10:10.949-08:00This Moment<a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/" target="_blank">Soule Mama's inspiration... </a><br />
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<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpZTGOxAYQow1F8s_nFEsnSifRH6ErXZYynYUGtQPxH4igba33W-vih1VuW79d_uWsiYRo91EyxJ84Co9dSQ8V2G_gVLcDPbmt0xK6oq5W80MpL4JSsj3tr5W3Jc-QVhAhmgzgtkdcmQ/s1600/IMG_9362.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">{this moment}</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-47425459231517102302014-02-07T08:06:00.001-08:002014-02-13T06:52:58.974-08:00Mom's Night Out movie review<br />
It's not very often that we go to the movies in our house. It's just not something that we put very high on the priority list and I certainly don't get to do it very often with just friends....in fact, its not really very often that I do ANYTHING with just girlfriends. It's not that I don't have them (although I am known to have a pitty party for myself occasionally and think that I am going solo on this insanity ride of motherhood) because when I really think about it... I have some <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2010/07/ya-ya-sisterhood.html" target="_blank">great ones</a>. My problem is the location of my closest friends ranges from sea to shining sea and some are so far away we have continents between us. And lets face it, as moms we just don't take the time for ourselves. We do so much for everyone else. Between the laundry and dishes, and making sure there are lunches packed and carpets vacuumed, food made for church potlucks and tutu's made for dance recitals... we don't have much more to give... especially to ourselves...<br />
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<a href="http://momsnightoutmovie.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cYwHtlmpskrFC5NHpaSAKUtCxMwYvlaP0FmDeLG6zAHOdog09v-w1wLdqVBoIjysATXWtRDRaY6RjTTTdM_dZNiY7s00gZQxZLD12kcnpZQwsjg8M8c622uUxUu3PsfbfmYaHMsu6vQ/s1600/mno_fbcover1.JPG" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I got the email for a chance to go to an early screening of the new movie "Mom's Night Out "coming to theaters May 9th, I didn't even care that it was on a week night or that we had to drive over an hour north (something I usually avoid like the plague). I called the first friend I could think of and we made it a plan to have our own MNO! Woo hoo! :)<br />
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It's amazing how much we all need a bit of time to ourselves... and I'm not talking about those stolen moments of hiding in your bedroom reading a book for a few moments out of the day (yes I am guilty of this) or the few second of quiet you *should* get behind the closed door of a bathroom (usually with people knocking at the door or little fingers coming in under it!)... I'm talking about getting to have adult conversations, Relaxing in a chair without someone climbing on you. Eating a meal that you don't have to cut up for someone else or share with a picky eater.<br />
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<a href="http://momsnightoutmovie.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQD9cPWM79Svhyn48Xf9C3mwWV7IIr6B03-lZs6Eesc2M_lGNv0_pT2wyaWSqq-EZbE0iMXU3aJtank2Q1w3MOw-HSdrUyLIN5PK8Hgtdz8Sg44jTtvaHNLm2p7ukihuV-QEmiRnHZGYc/s1600/image15.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sitting there in the dark theater with my good friend and a big thing of nachos (cause lets face it, I had dinner ready for the family but ran out of time to feed myself!) the movie began to roll and I felt like it was playing a view of my life... only with the charming actress <a href="http://momsnightoutmovie.com/cast" target="_blank">Sara Drew</a> playing me! I mean it, it was kind of scary the things that were like me, right down to her sitting at the computer to write her blog and finding she suddenly had nothing to say....<br />
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This movie was a breath of fresh air to say the least! I honestly went into it thinking that this movie would be your stereo typical movie about moms gone wild with no accountability and how they down play the importance of motherhood and have no care for being a Godly wife or mother.... but that couldn't have been farther from what this movie was about!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Leb6Vnhbp1A" width="560"></iframe>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This movie was</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">real</span><span style="font-size: large;">... it was </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">honest</span><span style="font-size: large;">... it was so stinking </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">funny</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(mostly because we could all relate to what they were saying/doing)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and this moving was </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">motivational.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I personally walked out of that theater a better person and ready to be a better mom when my kids get up in the morning.</span></i></span><br />
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How many times can you say that about a movie? This movie was about moms, but it showed the side of the dads too and would be a great date night movie, family movie for all ages (my 6 and 9 year olds would love it!) and of course... MOMS!!! It had the undertones of a great Christian film without the preachiness that one might expect. It told it like it is and inspired me to want to be a better mom not just for my kids but for me. It reminded me that even tho I feel somedays like the worst mother ever, and sometimes I feel like I am getting nothing done and failing at everything.... <span style="font-size: large;">I am enough... and that God put my girls with just the right mom for them....</span>I think we all need that reminder sometimes. And we all need a Mom's night out from time to time to make us appreciate what we have and who we are...<br />
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<a href="http://momsnightoutmovie.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoRyg57jyO2C6GhvkDufOF0FasfU48NfMaIL8AZgJyr0gRw_8akwWhpogeT5bVO75VPmbJbWpMeyxWUzjjqKTbLkNN_bPPvQ8sCbu92_-ar7ZjSrLMzLhXHvd1WKisLUMFDqOn6dN-aA/s1600/image16.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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So go see <a href="http://momsnightoutmovie.com/" target="_blank">Mom's Night Out on May 9th!</a> The story is great and <a href="http://momsnightoutmovie.com/cast" target="_blank">the cast</a> is amazing!! Make it a priority to go on opening weekend and tell our entertainment industry that we need more movies like these!! There are so many ways to support Christian entertainment and to be an example in a world that will try to tell you that you aren't enough and that you have to be everything to everyone. There's only one that can be that and He loves you just the way you are!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">" Life isn't about a parking space. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Its <span style="color: #3d85c6;">NOT</span> about God taking </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">all our problems away</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and giving us a <span style="color: #3d85c6;">PERFECT</span> life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Its about finding </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Meaning</span> </span><i>&</i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">JOY</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i>&</i><span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">PURPOSE</span></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this- in the crazy-in the chaos"</span></div>
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-Moms' Night Out<br />
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<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-40335153166593979122014-02-06T07:41:00.002-08:002014-02-06T07:41:59.858-08:00Seahawk loveConsidering I am from around Pittsburgh, its just a given that I am a die hard Steelers fan, but one can't help but get caught up in this overwelming feeling of Seattle pride for the Seahawks after their Superbowl win on Sunday. Just to log on to facebook or walk thru the grocery store in our sleepy little town you can't go far without hearing people talk about it. It really is infectious!<br />
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The last few weeks have been busy for me too as I have been sewing up a number of these fuzzy guys in time for the big game!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUx4Emh6OfV54dZuj0g_lqnqq3jpR56wuc0dyZs6bXErpnf7UpPQ9F159TjTO1ZKZVLMdE5MGdqHbJ3R5M-S_8UZ8fPy_DxX2hIpUcsTjB_qh2dVR-xfl6b8YmaJRHjmbs2_CBi-11iY/s1600/IMG_9288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUx4Emh6OfV54dZuj0g_lqnqq3jpR56wuc0dyZs6bXErpnf7UpPQ9F159TjTO1ZKZVLMdE5MGdqHbJ3R5M-S_8UZ8fPy_DxX2hIpUcsTjB_qh2dVR-xfl6b8YmaJRHjmbs2_CBi-11iY/s1600/IMG_9288.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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To celebrate the Seahawks big win, I am offering 10% on all purchases made today and tomorrow (Friday, Feb 6th) in <a href="http://www.handsonfun.etsy.com/" target="_blank">my shop</a> ! Just use the word "SEAHAWK" as the coupon code at checkout! :)<br />
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And not to worry, I have the Pittsburgh fans covered too! :) There's always next year! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVREDRL8kWS6QZpXUukcBxcsFAn5FaMu9aRlAk1Kt8eg9QZqZKf6vDBhi2Z9YZOHB204MndOsi04kh8gb9rVntnzbjoX0MRVH5K5T4RknbCOcLhxG0Ph5PQ80pssqaUq1FAKnkPrsJSI/s1600/IMG_9258edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVREDRL8kWS6QZpXUukcBxcsFAn5FaMu9aRlAk1Kt8eg9QZqZKf6vDBhi2Z9YZOHB204MndOsi04kh8gb9rVntnzbjoX0MRVH5K5T4RknbCOcLhxG0Ph5PQ80pssqaUq1FAKnkPrsJSI/s1600/IMG_9258edit.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Be sure to <a href="http://www.handsonfun.etsy.com/" target="_blank">check out </a>my other new creations! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-52024845315649595912014-02-04T09:21:00.002-08:002014-02-04T09:21:41.786-08:00Bumsak- ReviewIt's always so exciting to open your email and see the words "You Won!" If your inbox is anything like mine, you get a lot of emails trying to trick you into buying something with enticing titles... but this was an actual, legit email telling me I had won something from a contest I had entered! And not just any something... but a chair from <a href="http://www.bumsak.com/" target="_blank">Bumsak</a>!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgcPok2PG1HbroolDa9rySoIcQPDCSJrrmwBZ46auXv-6XZN_2_SAUtn6S3JBB4zKQRG4bFiC_wOeSDCpwpVXK1ZJPNx-XcT-1H7K22jVprMBW9J7tVt1rCohD4ZSqzude57PnRugXEU/s1600/astackshadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgcPok2PG1HbroolDa9rySoIcQPDCSJrrmwBZ46auXv-6XZN_2_SAUtn6S3JBB4zKQRG4bFiC_wOeSDCpwpVXK1ZJPNx-XcT-1H7K22jVprMBW9J7tVt1rCohD4ZSqzude57PnRugXEU/s1600/astackshadow.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
To be honest, had never even heard of them until I happened on to someone else's share on Facebook about this giveaway. From what I understand, they are a new company and they were doing this as a fun giveaway for the new year. I never in a million years thought I would actually win!!<br />
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Living in a smaller house means having to get creative with the way we put our furniture and having two growing kids means that we are needing more sitting space! The days of two little monkeys sitting on thel ittle Dora couch to watch tv are over....and while we will always cherish snuggle time, there are times we just want to relax on our own too! So, to win this was just perfect for us!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlfYVpdUXgSbYzh259cnyglqvkvVpWNSrTCceNYYq8zP5cOvXz6Shn6iu4Y4ZTO8wDTt8cFr7JFe1Vwxivi9Cg2f_DiHjlHVZyYSaC0lmzC2sFTgjim2ftLZEV2-MmksN1igIBY27hUE/s1600/IMG_9191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlfYVpdUXgSbYzh259cnyglqvkvVpWNSrTCceNYYq8zP5cOvXz6Shn6iu4Y4ZTO8wDTt8cFr7JFe1Vwxivi9Cg2f_DiHjlHVZyYSaC0lmzC2sFTgjim2ftLZEV2-MmksN1igIBY27hUE/s1600/IMG_9191.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9AYbid2siJgEUds1blAe7iQGaf95t_FWICYfhrmk0wGqebU5Prs8ClbssKeG6XYKvzTS2Q9XK22IZTtyZObhL8f7R3oEiYZVZoCpDXQSvWnI27uqiN4Sc5mvxvjaMYAp_vUVwPLLgY0/s1600/IMG_9189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9AYbid2siJgEUds1blAe7iQGaf95t_FWICYfhrmk0wGqebU5Prs8ClbssKeG6XYKvzTS2Q9XK22IZTtyZObhL8f7R3oEiYZVZoCpDXQSvWnI27uqiN4Sc5mvxvjaMYAp_vUVwPLLgY0/s1600/IMG_9189.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a>Within just a matter of days, we had this delivered to our house! My kids were so bummed that it wasn't bigger....<br />
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Until we got it out of that bag (which took a little work but it was fun!).... and it began to grow...<br />
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....and someone seemed to think that it was just for her! lol (That is the bag itself, without the cover of our choice on yet)<br />
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The bag isn't quite the color that I thought it would be. It's much darker than the sample color that was on their site. I wrote to them about it and they offered to send me another one but I really do love the color so we just opted to keep the one we have. If you look on their website, be sure to run your curser over all the colors... there's a number of samples that seem to be grey and they really aren't. That little glitch in their website is the only complaint I would have about this company at all. The chair itself is AMAZING!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_uJqZJjnQnUMyxDSAZsdQNjxSHYs6RbYYBE1paJhTT6_c0jdskh8aB0-9iUtJzBLGtrwz_mGt7JDguUEY8Mp_acPFxNoZ9Y5TJecgiZu5FOD95fistZ3vRqTUgiEvt4ePARYH7Og3b8/s1600/IMG_9198edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_uJqZJjnQnUMyxDSAZsdQNjxSHYs6RbYYBE1paJhTT6_c0jdskh8aB0-9iUtJzBLGtrwz_mGt7JDguUEY8Mp_acPFxNoZ9Y5TJecgiZu5FOD95fistZ3vRqTUgiEvt4ePARYH7Og3b8/s1600/IMG_9198edit.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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The feel of the cover is really great. It has a nice quality to it, not like your average bean bag chair would. The seams seem to be strong and the animal hair (which is just a natural part of our lives... wonder why? lol) brushes off of it much easier than I thought it would. As for the filler? It is so QUIET!! I remember having a bean bag chair as a kid, that the dog later took over, and we couldn't hear the tv when she was trying to get comfortable! lol That problem is no longer with this chair! The <a href="http://www.bumsak.com/" target="_blank">Bumsak</a> chairs are filled with high quality foam, not those styrofoam beans that we are used to! And the next best thing about this chair? They are made in the good ol' US of A! Now what's not to love about that?! If I hadn't won this chair, I would still say it is well worth the money and has made a great addition to our livingroom!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefQWYhJyk0YmMGGBI4ssxQ57P9J_iqWbMQSUUiGSa6DSP4pAiMosLb10oeF8q4Ox1RP2FWWOO6bgrYDc9rpoUErMfqprd7Ut_b46d4YIyxkUHLzCZpQXtx-zOkL5hn0d_A-Y2o9Vqd78/s1600/IMG_9199edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefQWYhJyk0YmMGGBI4ssxQ57P9J_iqWbMQSUUiGSa6DSP4pAiMosLb10oeF8q4Ox1RP2FWWOO6bgrYDc9rpoUErMfqprd7Ut_b46d4YIyxkUHLzCZpQXtx-zOkL5hn0d_A-Y2o9Vqd78/s1600/IMG_9199edit.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Disclaimer- I was given this chair by Bumsak as part of a giveaway. I was not asked to write this review nor was I compensated for it, I just like to share good products when I see them! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-40757625765064309102014-01-24T07:49:00.002-08:002014-02-06T07:48:30.969-08:00SerendipityThanks to the generosity of a friend, and <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2014/01/it-all-started-when-take-2.html" target="_blank">the newest treasure</a> to be added to my insanity of crafting tools, I have been doing a lot of research on how to get started in the new-to-me art form of weaving. Along the way, I've found some amazing blogs, chat groups and other resources, not to mention some wonderfully patient people in some of my other crafting groups that have been great about answering questions and pointing me in the right directions for more information about my particular loom. I am still terribly overwhelmed but feel like I am at least moving in the right direction now! :) It's amazing how many weavers there are out there and like knitting, is not the dying art that I thought it was! It seems to me, you just have to know where to look! :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vXXFYgQomzbqXEpeSb2fuQlT6D3iZtXcaqmuXxY7L8QwMHM4vZipxVgutemcnBKcr0L5o6PAnW2ph4HQ3fwNn8cyyEz_UWYqQhoysmc0oFcbwO7_pDbDjdtH4RpC8QKx_le5tyfv4mw/s1600/GoofyIdeaBulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vXXFYgQomzbqXEpeSb2fuQlT6D3iZtXcaqmuXxY7L8QwMHM4vZipxVgutemcnBKcr0L5o6PAnW2ph4HQ3fwNn8cyyEz_UWYqQhoysmc0oFcbwO7_pDbDjdtH4RpC8QKx_le5tyfv4mw/s1600/GoofyIdeaBulb.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>While getting started in my search, I threw out the question to one of the Waldorf groups that I belong to and I asked if there were any weavers in the group. That thread led to a conversation with a gal (who I consider to be a lost long friend now, although we've never met yet!) about how I got into spinning and how this loom came to be mine. She made a simple comment about wishing she'd be gifted a spinning wheel someday with an "lol" and the conversation went on its way about more fiber related topics. As soon as I saw her comment it was like there was a large floating light bulb hovering above my head and the electricity just made it's connection. If I had been a cartoon I imagine it would have been a comical moment! :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWwvFQ5tj3OQWnZjH01e5ZHGJcJeG_pUcHdpnB_rTWvGM9HNHMJgl2KCaXxlWKuN9Mk3xtI-SIrNIU7yuYgUVwCl7-TfPzo7xQsnyeQF1cA7QKHMi0jCyma9ph2-Qqt_7o1WJTVWTcF0/s1600/Thinking_19_tnb.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWwvFQ5tj3OQWnZjH01e5ZHGJcJeG_pUcHdpnB_rTWvGM9HNHMJgl2KCaXxlWKuN9Mk3xtI-SIrNIU7yuYgUVwCl7-TfPzo7xQsnyeQF1cA7QKHMi0jCyma9ph2-Qqt_7o1WJTVWTcF0/s1600/Thinking_19_tnb.png" height="196" width="200" /></a>You see, I had bought some vintage books from this gal, and she had purchased some wood toys from me... and we had conversed about Waldorf groups in PA after she noticed my picture of downtown Pittsburgh thinking that I lived there too (I had taken it on a recent trip)... so I knew that she was from PA also so I took a stab in the dark and asked what part! The stars aligned and she was about 1 1/2 hours from my mom! Perfect! Again, a cartoon moment would have been a view inside my brain to see the gears turning and another light bulb moment! </div>
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You see, a few years ago, when I decided I wanted to take the leap and get a spinning wheel, my mom was gifted one on my behalf from a friend of hers that had rescued a wheel from a dumpster! Gasp!!! I know, who could possibly do such a thing!!?! Right? Right about the same time, I happened on <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2011/08/gift.html" target="_blank">to mine</a> and while I would have loved to have had the one from my mom, we live on opposite sides of the country! The shipping to get it here would have been more than I paid for mine here!</div>
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To make a long story short... I got my mom and my long lost friend in touch with each other via chats on Facebook, they were able to meet up half way and that poor neglected spinning wheel has finally found its way to its forever home!! This gal kept sending me emails of thanks and how excited she was but really I think I was just as excited as she was!! I have felt terrible that the wheel has been sitting in my mom's basement just taking up space but couldn't bring myself to have her get rid of it considering she didn't know anyone that would give it the love that it so truly deserved. So instead... it just sat... The thought that I could pay it forward the kindness and generosity that had been paid to me in the form of a weaving loom absolutely made my day!! </div>
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A week or two later, while checking the mail, we received a mailer that I wasn't expecting... but I recognized the return address label to be from PA... now here's the freaky part...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWK7vlSsNKWqQNw1mKBqxpB31MJooqALSJpc6bvxLD2Wvogll9jpy8pRfMCYyAPaqL6DeIWyAtC9g43FtIZl7IS1uELNwfCl0ngAnTFG4ZW_sgtnPlCovxbghQVJ51dzbhCDqfhfXGX4/s1600/1480544_10151824954307687_973037891_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWK7vlSsNKWqQNw1mKBqxpB31MJooqALSJpc6bvxLD2Wvogll9jpy8pRfMCYyAPaqL6DeIWyAtC9g43FtIZl7IS1uELNwfCl0ngAnTFG4ZW_sgtnPlCovxbghQVJ51dzbhCDqfhfXGX4/s1600/1480544_10151824954307687_973037891_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Inside that mailer was the sweetest heartfelt thank you card and these two vintage books. She already knew of my love of vintage books but she had NO IDEA about my collection of Little Golden books or my youngest's obsession with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eloise_Wilkin" target="_blank">Eloise Wilken </a>(the artist in the book)... and there is no way of her knowing that we also collect the books in "The True Book" series! As I pulled the books out of the envelope, my two girls were clammering to get over the seats yelling "Let me smell them! Yes, I have done my job when they rate there books on whether or not they smell old! lol When I told her about it she said that it was Seredipity (one of my favorite words!!) and that we were are kindred spirits... Funny how two people can connect and form a friendship with an entire country between us. </div>
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As I read her reply about us being kindred spirits, it made me think of Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables </div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2011/04/dont-be-a-drama-queen-and-other-lessons-in-friendship-from-anne-shirley/" target="_blank">"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world"</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2011/04/dont-be-a-drama-queen-and-other-lessons-in-friendship-from-anne-shirley/" target="_blank">Life Lessons from Anne of Green Gables</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gsheller.com/tag/yarn-along" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gsheller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/yarnalong_gsheller_gray.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-85273949799524622032014-01-15T08:45:00.001-08:002014-01-27T07:02:24.987-08:00It all started when... take 2!I have felt so inspired to write as of late, but am having a hard time putting my thoughts and emotions into words. There just doesn't seem to be enough ways to convey what we have been experiencing lately and the joy and peace that seems to be coming with it. We have been so ingrained to believe that bigger is always better and if you find something great then buy three of them! lol Isn't that pretty much what the world would have you believe? Since <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2013/07/when-god-is-your-realtor.html" target="_blank">moving to</a> this little old house, we have found that bigger isn't always better. I can literally FEEL the difference this place has made in me. Not only have we lost weight (about 20 lbs each! Kids not included), but we have felt a slow down in our outlooks, and a re-purposed view on how we do things.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOB3eXwefNqdigBtHSihcq4w1MmpBhRl4dsDimtf_Igo6mQx_MfdE86zWIukL09_BNsV7WS-66ZzFz9UFz0dckjOPMSWiURoKEWuF1DcnxLijctpOuFDQI4haLhHtYOC2f-TKgSBQCJw/s1600/1525710_10151825028982687_1804257979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOB3eXwefNqdigBtHSihcq4w1MmpBhRl4dsDimtf_Igo6mQx_MfdE86zWIukL09_BNsV7WS-66ZzFz9UFz0dckjOPMSWiURoKEWuF1DcnxLijctpOuFDQI4haLhHtYOC2f-TKgSBQCJw/s320/1525710_10151825028982687_1804257979_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a> If you have been following me for very long, you know that I come from a long line of "makers".I am a firm believer that there is a turning point for us all at some time when the stars align and we actually start listening to the little signs and pathways that God puts before us... one of those "<a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2011/07/it-all-started-when.html" target="_blank">it all started when</a>" moments... Well, I am not sure where this path is going to lead me but I am definitely feeling one of those redirecting "it all started when" moments happening to me right now and I am excited to see where it will go! :) It has been a few years now since I got my <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2011/08/gift.html" target="_blank">spinning wheel</a> in a thrift store and unfortunately I haven't been able to devote as much time to it as I would have liked. You know with the kids, and animals and homeschooling... not to mention the puppet making, gardening and moving... there's not always enough time to go around! But, recently, I've been taking the time for myself (although I will admit it feels selfish) and getting back to the knitting and spinning that I enjoy so much.<br />
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A few months ago, we started going to a new church closer to our new house. We have met some of the most amazing people since going there and one of them I am finding has quite a bit in common with me and my crafting obsessions! :0) Well, to make a long story short, she had this loom that she was looking to get rid of and asked if I would like to have it. It took everything in my being not to just jump at the opportunity to get yet another creative tool but I did take my time before saying yes. I began researching it and talked it over with hubby and was still on the fence about it. I am no where near ready to be some master weaver, and I know that this loom will probably sit here for quite awhile before I give it the attention that it surely deserves but how do you turn down a once in a lifetime chance to have a loom like this!?<br />
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Considering the lifestyle we are trying to attain and the farming things we are learning and experiencing, I thought it was time for us to read the next book in the Little House series "Farmer Boy". I think it was within a day or so of getting the new/old loom that we started reading it and I was just giddy over the descriptions we were reading about how his Ma would spin the wool and then weave it into fabric to make their clothes. I know I read these books years ago but I am loving the details that it goes into about dying the wool and how soft and warm his clothes were. There was an appreciation for what his mother did for him... something you can't get off a $.99 rack at Walmart. It was such a delight to turn the page and find this drawing...<br />
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That will be me someday... :)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-79049824439185170782014-01-09T17:51:00.001-08:002014-01-09T17:51:13.230-08:00Knocking at my door<br />
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My arms were full of firewood and I came back to the open door to find these curious feathered friends! :)<br />
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Ah the life of free range chickens and turkey! :)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-35382507143510290782014-01-06T06:38:00.000-08:002014-01-09T06:41:42.470-08:00A new way of looking at life...I didn't mean to let so much time go by... I didn't intend on leaving this space so abruptly...but you see, when you find the secret of life you have to just go with it and not worry about blogging, or facebooking or even take the time to keep up on laundry! When God gives you a place to be and grow and learn you just have to jump in with both feet!<br />
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It's been almost 9 months to the day that we got <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2013/07/when-god-is-your-realtor.html" target="_blank">the call </a>that we were moving, and then just a week or so later we were up over our heads in the moving and packing process. Life was such a whirl wind that we didn't have time to really think, rest or even take a deep breath really....it was just putting one foot in front of the other and trying not to trip along the way! It's pretty much been that way ever since! It's been nine months of hard work, hauling dirt, hauling wood chips, hauling rocks (do you see a pattern here?lol). Months of mending chicken coops, building new ones, caring for the animals we moved and the animals we have since adopted and rescued. It's been months of playing catch up with what we had hoped to accomplish in a garden. Planting, and watering and experimenting with new things. Now in the winter months, it means putting plastic covers over garden beds and researching new ways of feeding our outside animals. Months of feeling tired... in a good way... because of the goodness we are accomplishing and because of the constant blessings we are feeling. When we take the time to sit down and compare notes, hubby and I are both just feeling so blessed and renewed in this place that we are dwelling.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">How can one not feel blessed to wake up to this view?</span></div>
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We are feeling like there has been a turn in our lives that can only be described as finding the secret of life...<br />
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For some time now, we have been <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2012/06/d-day-in-our-house.html" target="_blank">inching towards</a> a more sustainable lifestyle... It's no secret that I hate what our food industry has become and want to be no part of it (or at least to the best of our ability!) To feel the way I do about how our food is produced (how the animals are treated and cared for) and the un-needed things that are being done to the plants (GMOs) means making a change. Not a little change but a huge life altering change on a daily basis. It means watching labels and researching our food more closely but it also means that we must start producing more of it on our own. My generation was not brought up to think about where our food comes from, if anything we have been taught that it's out of sight out of mind. And for some that is ok. I truly wish that I could be that way sometimes but once I learn something it's stuck in my head and I can't go back!<br />
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It has been over the last few months that we as a family have been really taking a look at our lifestyle, and focusing on where we want to eventually be. We are finding that hard work is actually fun and that we don't <b>need</b> a lot of what we as a society have been taught to think we do. We are learning what it feels like to accomplish something we didn't think we could do ( like stacking a whole cord of wood- just me and my two littles). It is with this life change that we are going back in time if you will. Listening closer to the stories of family/church members who grew up on farms, and reading everything on the subject that I can get my hands on. It has even come down to changing the way we look at our entertainment options. The two favorites in our household right now are <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/alaska-the-last-frontier" target="_blank">Alaska:The Last Frontier</a> and of all things, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=dvd+the+waltons&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=32846617229&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=s&hvrand=4154497141704646563&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3bbeurlsbr_b" target="_blank">The Waltons</a>. Hubby and I have a running joke. When we are out working or trying to figure out a new project we just ask the other WWWD? What Would the Waltons Do? lol When he first said it, it made me laugh but now I find myself having that question in the back of my mind more and more... so I think that's what I'll title my posts that are homestead related. It really is a compliment to that show and not so much of a joke. When you actually watch the show, there are a lot of life lessons that could be learned by watching it, and for us it is just a really good reminded of what life is like in a simpler time and what it could be again if only there could be a massive shift in society and a change in the way we all view success...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-52528094118006979462013-09-09T09:04:00.001-07:002013-09-09T09:04:16.979-07:00Fall is in the air- Giveaway!I don't know about you, but I am actually looking forward to fall this year... the colors, the cooler temps and the thoughts of Christmas on the horizon... <br />
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The people over at<a href="http://blog.imaginechildhood.com/imagine-childhood/2013/09/-fall-catalog-and-a-giveaway.html?pintix=1" target="_blank"> Imagine Childhood</a> are showing off their new fall catalog AND hosting a giveaway for $100 in their shop!! Oh the lovelies that could be under our tree this year if we were lucky enough to win!! :)<br />
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<a href="http://store.imaginechildhood.com/gardenerstoolandtuckbox.aspx" target="_blank">This</a> would definitely be at the TOP of my list!! :)</div>
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This would be SO cool to have!! </div>
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What would you get?:)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-10021872801232605802013-08-21T09:00:00.004-07:002013-08-21T09:00:35.752-07:00All Things Lovely- Giveaway!Don't you just love giveaways? <br />
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<a href="http://www.allthingslovelydailydeals.blogspot.com/2013/08/giveaway.html" target="_blank">This one</a> is just too cute!! Be sure to <a href="http://www.allthingslovelydailydeals.blogspot.com/2013/08/giveaway.html" target="_blank">go check it out</a>!! <br />
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I just LOVE those boot socks so I'll be crossing my fingers to win for sure! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-27846417321023202382013-07-23T17:11:00.000-07:002013-08-14T07:11:45.013-07:00What really matters...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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We recently returned from a trip to see family... it wasn't really a planned trip and nothing about the preparations beforehand seemed easy, but none the less we went. My husband's family was going to visit his mom for the 4th of July so we figured it was our perfect chance to get to see them (one day drive instead of three is always a nice break! ) <o:p></o:p></div>
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The family portion of the trip only lasted 4 days... but it was a whirlwind of visiting, joking, eating GREAT food and most of all making memories. I watched as my girls interacted with their GREAT-grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I saw them enjoying simple things as riding their scooters up and down a sidewalk and watched the wonders in their eyes as they sat amongst family and watched the fireworks display...they weren't thinking about tomorrow, or years from now, they were just being kids and enjoying the moment, enjoying these precious times with family that can't possibly be replaced by a day at an amusement park or some other big and flashy outing. They are going to remember the way their great grandparents smile at their stories, and how their Auntie Tish always spoils them.... I am so glad that they have these memories and that we took the time, like so many other trips before, to spend our vacations with family.<o:p></o:p><br />
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I had a revelation today of sorts…it seems silly now to even say it out loud but I feel the need to. As a kid, growing up in a military family and then later growing up to live a lifestyle of regular moving, it was and is just a given that any vacation time was/is going to be spent traveling to visit family in one way or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always looked at other families with a bit of envy when they got to go on fun vacations to sunny destinations or exciting places or theme parks. I always thought that it would be nice to get to do that someday…and for some those kind of vacations are great…. But today I came to the realization that I am not one of those people. Would I love to stand on a beach in Hawaii with my feet in the sand or walk the streets of historic Boston? Heck yeah, but would I chose to give up even one moment with the people I love to be able to do that? Absolutely not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one memory is worth giving up, not one mile traveled was traveled in vain if it meant one more visit, one more afternoon of sitting on an elderly person’s couch looking at pictures or telling them about our life so far away….<o:p></o:p></div>
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This morning I got the call that my Great Aunt Sis, 91, had passed away…wow that feels so foreign to say out loud. Part of living so far away is that nothing like this feels real, and it never really sinks in like it would if I could be there for the closure of getting to be with family at a time like this. Instead, I sit here on the other side of the continent, looking at pictures and thinking of my much treasured memories and have a good cry… I cry out of pity for myself not for her because I know she is in a better place. But I cry just the same because another treasure of this world has left us…<o:p></o:p></div>
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She is the older sister of my Gram and for the first part of my growing up years she lived right down the street from us. I had to pass her house on my walk to and from school and she lived in a beautiful white house with a collie dog that always seemed so huge to me. I have vivid memories of sitting in her fancy dining room (I don’t know if it was all that fancy but as a kid that’s how I saw it) playing with blocks and I have faint recollection of her asking me numerous times if I was hungry. I think she was babysitting me, but I don’t remember why. It’s funny the bits and pieces that we can recall from memory.<o:p></o:p><br />
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As I grew older, and moved away, we always came back to that town, to my grandparents house and would then spend the next 2 weeks flitting from one family members house to another, trying to fit in all of those people that were so important to us. There was lots of visits over iced tea sitting in parlors (they have those back east you know) or out on a back porch where you could catch a breeze and a break from the heat (as many of those houses didn’t have AC). As a kid, I knew how important it was to get to see everyone but I must admit that sometimes I got bored. Now looking back tho, those visits taught me to value my elders. The hours we spent listening to stories were priceless. I think that so many people have missed out on that life lesson. I hope that we are teaching our girls that, that its so important to treasure those visits with loved ones and to listen to their stories while we can…<o:p></o:p><br />
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It became a tradition, and I’m not even sure how it really got started but on those vacations back east we had what we’d call lunch with the aunts. My mom, Gram, <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2012/01/black-cloud.html" target="_blank">Aunt Joy</a> and Aunt Sis, cousin Sally (and a few other cousins from time to time) would all go out to a special lunch. I remember those times with such love and joy and it makes me so sad to think that we can’t do that anymore. It’s crazy to think that it’s been over <a href="http://ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com/2012/01/black-cloud.html" target="_blank">a year since we lost my AuntJoy</a>, and now Aunt Sis too.<o:p></o:p><br />
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It’s hard to even imagine going back there and not seeing her. I try to look at it through the simplicity that my girls are experiencing it thru… we have been praying for Aunt Sis now for a long time, and we knew this day was coming as hospice had been brought in a few weeks ago but it doesn’t make it any easier. This morning when I told my youngest the news, she had the sweetest little smile on her face when she told me that she was “glad Aunt Sis is done with her miseries now but I’m gonna miss her”<o:p></o:p><br />
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I am so going to miss her but feel so lucky to have known and loved her….<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-32262788592039190142013-07-15T08:04:00.004-07:002013-07-15T08:04:57.126-07:00When God is your realtor...Since the 5th of April our lives have been a total blur...sometimes I still have a hard time computing everything that has gone on and even more so fully realizing how very blessed we have been...how did we ever get to this place where we are and what are we supposed to be doing now? But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself....<br />
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It all started like any other fairly normal day. Hubby just happened to be off that day and we ended up having to take our husky in to the vets for a limp in her leg that had just started in the middle of the night. We got the blow that she was going to need knee surgery ($$$) and had come home to call and tell my mom about it. We were still talking to her on the house phone when I got a call on my cell phone from the property manager of our house. I excused myself from my mom for a minute and took the call that would end up changing life as we knew it.... He said it so fast and so matter of fact that I didn't even comprehend what he was saying... the owners of our house were coming back to the states and were moving back into their house by June 1st!! WHAT?! THEIR house? WHAT house?! THIS house?! After a split second, the news set in and I instantly started to cry... that poor man on the other end of the phone! lol He said that he was trying to give us as much notice as he could, which was nice considering we thought we had another 2-3 years in this house! I quickly hung up with him and got back on the phone with my hubby and mom but I'm afraid I gave them both quite the scare as I know I was having trouble taking a deep breath and pretty much just fell to the floor in a pile of tears while I tried to explain to them what was going on! lol Looking back, I feel pretty silly for reacting that way but at the time I felt like the sky was falling and there was no solid ground around us...<br />
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After the shock of it set in, and the tears started to dry up (and I'm talking about a matter of maybe 20 minutes) we were out the door and in town looking at rentals. This all happened about 2 pm and by 5 we'd looked at about 3 houses! We literally hit the ground running!! :)<br />
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I can remember feeling the panic, the fear of what was going to happen to us, to our girls, to our animals (2 dogs, 3 cats, 20+ chickens and 40 more in the incubator!!) and just thinking that there was no way we were going to find a place that would allow our crazy family to live the country life that we were so blessed to have. I just knew we were going to have to settle and would end up losing what we've been working so hard to build up. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUP24h2_MJS_CiWc3HqVdum2ZA6OVBx6_K-Mqv0fFYfuJFYyhnK-UXYeTqvAdtfgVcM99hrszyAb95LfZVvFPQuune_mtM4BuXQcI9wmhakzQMvcCs5hjtP_6eSBDRfgxvbkGApPTnW4Q/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUP24h2_MJS_CiWc3HqVdum2ZA6OVBx6_K-Mqv0fFYfuJFYyhnK-UXYeTqvAdtfgVcM99hrszyAb95LfZVvFPQuune_mtM4BuXQcI9wmhakzQMvcCs5hjtP_6eSBDRfgxvbkGApPTnW4Q/s320/IMG_1897.JPG" width="213" /></a>We had just put in 4 raised beds (two of which were planted) and had a DUMP TRUCK load of wood chips delivered to the house TWO days before!!! lol <br />
I had images of us having to live in our travel trailer again on some empty plot of land... or worse.... live in town! :) That night, we were just numb. I know we watched a movie but I can't for the life of me remember what it was... I just sat all night looking at house listings and combing Craigslist for a rental that we could live with. I found I think three that we were going to call on in the morning, one of which seemed WAY too good to be true for the price but only time would tell.<br />
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My husband woke up before me, and was ready to get started again on the great house hunt 2013 so he looked up the address for the to good to be true house and decided to do a drive by before we bothered to even call. He was back to the house shortly after 8am and I was only able to hold him off till 8:45 before he called about it. The man on the other end of the phone said we could come by at 10 and I don't think I've even taken so fast of a shower and we were ready to go!!<br />
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You may be wondering about my title for this entry... But when God is your realtor there is no question about where you are supposed to be!! 20 hours from the time we got the call till the time we saw our new home... that could only be God! God is SO GOOD!!<br />
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This house was made for us... it was started in 1921, and later added on to in 1979. The setting is this amazing view, and more trees than a person could ever count.<br />
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He thought of every possibly thing to make this location perfect for us... <br />
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right down to the blue berry bush in the garden, the grape vines out back and the fenced in garden with raised beds in place... <br />
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the entire property is surround by blackberries and the view... the view will take your breath away...<br />
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So many people just shake their heads when we tell them this story and they ask how we could find such a treasure at all, let alone in less than a day? I've had friends that reacted with unkind words about the owners of our previous house, and I have to just tell them, that it was God... no matter how much I thought I loved our old house, I could have never imagined how wonderful this one could be or what a total blessing this change could be....</div>
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Before we left to see our would be new house, on that fateful morning... my husband and I stood holding hands in what was soon to be our old kitchen and prayed... we prayed that if this house was the right house for us in God's plan that we would see that and not just jump on it thinking that it was in OUR plan... there was not a moment of that day that God didn't have a hand in and I am so completely grateful and humbled by his love for us...</div>
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<strong>Matthew 6:31-33</strong> <br /><i>So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.</i> <a href="http://christianity.about.com/od/faqhelpdesk/p/newlivingtransl.htm">(NLT) </a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-82776477939358159512013-03-18T07:17:00.001-07:002013-03-18T10:36:16.122-07:00Lost in a world of eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It seems like I haven't been in this space, on this blog, in some time now. I think about writing, I really do, but the days just seem to be so full lately and then they just seem to slip away and the weeks just fly and before you know it- Its MARCH!! Where on earth did January and February go?! lol And soon it will be April! Agh!!</div>
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We have been doing lots of fun projects for school, and of course I've been right there taking pictures and writing blog posts about them in my head but I have yet to get them typed out and shared... sigh... someday.... Someday I will get caught up in everything I am working on, someday I will be more organized... someday....</div>
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But until then, my days are full of researching (mostly health stuff, recipes and more schooling ideas), school with the girls, more cooking REAL food from scratch and fitting in every little bit of crafting as I can... This week will be another one of those crazy weeks as the girls and I gear up for another craft show!! These little shows allow us to fund all these great learning experiences so in the long run they are worth if but boy do they make for busy days!! Here's just a few of the eggs I have been making!! I'll have them at the show or you can order them from <a href="http://www.handsonfun.etsy.com/" target="_blank">my shop</a> if you are interested! :)</div>
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Yeah, you could say I've been a little busy! :)<br />
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And the rest of my week will be spent finishing up more of this guy!! After months of being back ordered... I finally got my hands on more of this fur!! </div>
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People ask me in what seems like amazement "How do you do it?".... what they don't realize is the sink stacked high with dishes and the laundry that is never ending... I don't do it all... I just juggle and hope nothing falls! lol</div>
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<a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Chicken Chick" src=" http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h402/ADozenGirlz/CleverChicksBloghop150x147_zps2ab1a684.jpg" /></a></center>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-57286462846465929902013-03-15T07:49:00.001-07:002013-04-02T11:31:09.331-07:00Return to Nims Island- Giveaway!<br />
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It looks like we'll be having another fun family movie night at our house tonight!! Break out the pizza (gluten free for us!) followed by popcorn and snuggles on the couch!! :) I love that there are still movies like this on television to enjoy with my kids and hope that they will remember nights like these when they are older!<br />
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Won't you join us? It's on Hallmark Channel March 15th 2013 at 7/8C!<br />
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To really make this a fun event, I am working with Walden Media & Hallmark Channel to bring you a giveaway for a Return to Nim's Island Blu-ray Combo Pack!<br />
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<b>To Enter</b> -All you have to do is post your results from the Discover Which Adventurer You Are Quiz in the comments section and your name will be entered to win the combo pack! Easy right? :)<br />
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A name will be randomly drawn on March 22nd! The prize will be shipped directly from Walden Media and Hallmark and will be sent via FedEx or UPS. No P.O. Boxes please. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Congrats to Hermits On the Hill!! </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">You are the winner!! </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I will be in contact soon!!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-7516508497480636432013-03-08T11:38:00.003-08:002013-03-16T09:30:39.873-07:00Spring Give-a-way! <br />
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<a href="http://www.handsonfun.etsy.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-EzACXx5As9OQYR_7QiT4gNxuiTM36r-qaZGwnb0Z9xJ0hX4J0HQ_AMddV6mRoOzZEJd4niECTzInIV3fb7cRMcNMl-cHe3BLWPgS3ZpAGqwmNCvffpoBlIqbkfVjmeRHH18EGx1GAQ/s400/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The last few months feel like a blur... I keep waiting for life to slow down but it seems that once we get over one hurtle there is another one to climb over! :) To be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way! :) It's one thing after another with toy making, homeschooling, chickens and soon to be gardening but it's our life and it's NEVER boring! :) We made it through the crazy season of Christmas bazaars and craft shows... and are heading into Easter creating for the shop and Spring craft shows that are quickly creeping up! :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.handsonfun.etsy.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uWODvsDVb3xAbYFhCpRqUxxsFYZSn8kJJn4Gl6Ps1nLc_RgL0pMKA-aDEgUs0UIyfvNYSlcHekGZ-V0kO9ZRsPA2eY_fcmi_L627QUFCtaLTJDmegus1vo8h8AkRxjWSPj_IJb-cqEg/s400/602946_10151474701463665_1885018010_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have been over joyed at the responses I'm getting on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HandsOnFunToys" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> and the kind words that fans are posting about my toys so I'd like to give a little something back! I promised that when <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HandsOnFunToys" target="_blank">my fan page</a> hit 1000 likes I would host a giveaway!! It is just in time for Easter! :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgO6YJ95MBPwxD9ACDYCM4Rlh3HFPeD-CI4i22FdQGDvGwn30cvnizIStUAaAZc6GtbfP0xw_Sv3gO56jnRlktQu-aLpIVwgpl6Do-USuvctB_98NGzLJNNDMbOeeF0rfMVrnpCRxv_0/s1600/IMG_1476edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgO6YJ95MBPwxD9ACDYCM4Rlh3HFPeD-CI4i22FdQGDvGwn30cvnizIStUAaAZc6GtbfP0xw_Sv3gO56jnRlktQu-aLpIVwgpl6Do-USuvctB_98NGzLJNNDMbOeeF0rfMVrnpCRxv_0/s640/IMG_1476edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My girls and I are crazy about books and love finding books about nature that we enjoy so much we want to read them over and over again! We have had this book for a few years and absolutely love the illustrations and story. We love it so much so that when we found this copy at a local library sale, I just couldn't help but buy it too! It makes me so sad to think that the library system will have one less copy of this great book but it works out for all of you because it is a nice addition for a great giveaway!!<br />
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The winner will receive this book and a little chipmunk pegdoll! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJMlS0OzsWNbmT-jVy1_gjXp2fWaFw08SemNyvyTTScreGFlqNhHw-yHBrDm2hdrB-PjdieADewgZ80y0yPkcWxTBxVrfpt210aSSNdo3d9Mg41vt5VoCktVa00a7Spq7F3D6NiPp41U/s1600/IMG_1477edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJMlS0OzsWNbmT-jVy1_gjXp2fWaFw08SemNyvyTTScreGFlqNhHw-yHBrDm2hdrB-PjdieADewgZ80y0yPkcWxTBxVrfpt210aSSNdo3d9Mg41vt5VoCktVa00a7Spq7F3D6NiPp41U/s400/IMG_1477edit.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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So go, enter, tell your friends and cross your fingers! The winner will be randomly chosen from Rafflecopter on March 16th! The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a second name is chosen! :) If you just can't stand the wait... this little guy is also available to purchase in <a href="http://www.handsonfun.etsy.com/" target="_blank">my shop!</a> <br />
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FYI-This giveaway is for US/Canada residents only. If you live out of the US/Canada I am still happy to have you win, if you don't mind paying the extra shipping! :)<br />
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<span style="color: yellow;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Congrats to Sarah Curl! Winner of the book and pegdoll!! </span></i></span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2ab3d23/" id="rc-2ab3d23" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570325105196629673.post-9244512352164576042013-01-24T14:22:00.004-08:002013-01-24T14:23:16.053-08:00Crazy over American Girl- GIVEAWAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Let's face it, we're all a little crazy about baby dolls around here and none more so than the American Girl dolls!! I have such fond memories of the time I spent with my doll Kirsten, as a kid and now I get to relive all that with my girls!! You can too... just check out this amazing giveaway!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Hosted by:</b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://nysavingspecials.blogspot.com/">NYSavingSpecials</a>, <a href="http://yourfashionresource.blogspot.com/">Your Fashion Resource</a>, <span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://myfourlittles.com/" target="_blank">My Four Littles</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.anniam.com/" target="_blank">Ann I Am</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://barbarasbeat.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Barbara's Beat</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://lifescheapthrills.com/" target="_blank">Life's Cheap Thrills</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.wedonthaveitall.com/" target="_blank">We Have It All</a>, </span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://mamaldiane.com/" target="_blank">Mamal Diane ~ keeping it simple</a>, </span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.sweetnsourdeals.com/" target="_blank">Sweet N Sour Deals</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://thenaptimereview.com/" target="_blank">The Naptime Review</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://cottonridgehomeschool.com/" target="_blank">Cotton Ridge Homeschool</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://kswederski.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kaisy Daisy's Corner</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.mommieagain.com/">Mommie...Again</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://capriscoupons.com/">Capri's Coupons</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://michellegills.blogspot.com/">Michelle Gills Blog</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.justalittlecreativity.com/">Just a Little Creativity</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://monicasrrr.blogspot.com/">Monica's Rants, Raves & Reviews</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://blog.stay-a-stay-at-home-mom.com/">Stay a Stay at Home Mom</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.mommybearmedia.com/blog/">Mommy Bear Media,</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://mydevotionalthoughts.com/">My Devotional Thoughts</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.mindfullyfrugalmom.com/">Mindfully Frugal Mom</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.simplysherryl.com/">Simply Sherryl</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.spendwithpennies.com/">Spend With Pennies</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.phillyfun4kids.com/">P</a></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.phillyfun4kids.com/">hillyfun4kids</a> and </span></span></i></b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.bandvsavings.com/"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">B & V Savings</span></b></i></a></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are happy to bring you this great giveaway.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The American Girl Doll giveaway.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jan 20 to Feb. 19, 2013</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We will have two winners.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Winner number one will get:</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgEQhn_2xxTYE_fpuPQObhtpxPCepI9DTQT71tWJbHCB0wRNkTvCwCUmd1x8cCPBbyVJrKiNfrdHkyYzvn0j3YnEiaNpCKRkezse0fHue_ecMw4heAZ47ek-svo4IQzyumIZkWNaak_c/s1600/ameridan+doll+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgEQhn_2xxTYE_fpuPQObhtpxPCepI9DTQT71tWJbHCB0wRNkTvCwCUmd1x8cCPBbyVJrKiNfrdHkyYzvn0j3YnEiaNpCKRkezse0fHue_ecMw4heAZ47ek-svo4IQzyumIZkWNaak_c/s1600/ameridan+doll+2.jpg" /></i></b></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white;">Doll + Starter Collection. </i></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white;">Winner gets to choose skin color, hair color and eye color. </i></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white;">Value $120.</i></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23.328125px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Winner number two will get:</span></b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXPQy5-1IxwMXo7iX_qMnVkadTdKlpsULwON9YFgWbXtUHfPpn5Pno3yX-IRwON9-5M_HOS2UciQg24peC13Hu-LKRM_FcAhlBZnyuJ_whAlWesyQ6UE9pHsForKdCAvbFI2tUtW3j5I/s1600/american+doll1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXPQy5-1IxwMXo7iX_qMnVkadTdKlpsULwON9YFgWbXtUHfPpn5Pno3yX-IRwON9-5M_HOS2UciQg24peC13Hu-LKRM_FcAhlBZnyuJ_whAlWesyQ6UE9pHsForKdCAvbFI2tUtW3j5I/s200/american+doll1.jpg" width="200" /></i></b></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white;">One American Girl Doll with the box. </i></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white;">Winner gets to choose which doll they want. </i></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Value $105.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Winners will need to choose their prizes from American Girl Doll website.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23.328125px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><i style="line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Winner can not change prize for any other American Girl Product.</span></b></i></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffcf5; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To be part of this giveaway you need to be 18 years or older.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="line-height: 23.328125px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This giveaway is only for US residents.</span></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="line-height: 23.328125px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23.328125px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To gain entries to win, fill out the form below. </span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23.328125px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23.328125px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All entries are optional.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23.328125px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23.328125px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good luck! </span></b></i></span></div>
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