Something to Try

The Fall/Winter season at the store is very slow and I have a slight aversion to the cold, so I stay inside as much as possible. DeDe and Bubba do a wonderful job in the winter and I just kinda get in the way.  I like my time at home and since the baby Kyzer boys are living with us full time now, I am really loving it!

There are usually several projects I want to get done during this time of year. I know, most people do these kind of things in the spring or summer.  We are always so busy during plant season there isn't time to get a good nights sleep, let alone complete one project.

This year's projects are as follows:

• Painting the living room and building some "built-in" shelving, (I really need a place for all these books and what-not's!)
• Re-doing, redecorating, revamping (whatever you want to call it) my dining room. We haven't done anything to it in over 13 years. Not even paint the walls. It's time, don't you think?

Bubba sometimes helps, ok most of the time he helps, but it is not with out his frustration. While I love this creative thing it's not his cup of tea. Thumbs up to him for pitching in and doing it my way. He really is one of the good guys, isn't he?

I've been on Pinterest for tons of inspiration and believe you me...I've spent hours upon hours scrolling and pinning...I now know what I want to do and basically how to do it. Poor Bubba, he is in for a treat. I know I want some of those pallet signs! We have a stack of pallets aging properly beside the barn and I've carried home tons of wood from the old pallet shelves from the store.

Then I got to thinking...I might make a couple for Christmas presents, one as a thank-you gift to my niece, just because she rocks...and then...why not try and sell a few at the store for Christmas money? That is...if they turn out....but hey, I didn't think I could paint Curious George on the walls either and that turned out pretty good.

Be on the look out for future posts on what I did and how it turns out. I've got to get to work!

Curious George and the Baby Kyzer Boys

We haven't done much to our house since it was rebuilt after a fire some 15 (or more) years ago. We've switched rooms from upstairs to downstairs and added a fresh coat of paint here and there, but not much more.  As I spend more time home I can see where a little "sprucing up" is much needed.

Now that Jake's boys are with him full time for the school year we thought their room would be the perfect place to start. It was originally dark brown with white bead board. We fixed it up about 10 years ago...so it was definitely in need of some serious painting.  The 4 year old wanted blue and his 3 year old brother... well, he just basically agrees with what ever his big brother wants.

They love all things Curious George so I thought I would give them a little surprise while they took their naps today. I googled some "George" coloring pages and picked out the ones I thought fit the boys the best, borrowed an overhead projector, and half a day later...I have happy, bouncy boys!

$23.00 in paint, some left-over transparency sheets, and a borrowed over-head projector and hands-down, the best reaction I've ever received from any project I've ever done! However, as I was tucking the boys in to bed tonight, the 4 year old expressed his concern that George had no words in his Bible. Looks like this project will have a phase 2 this weekend.

Thanksgiving Days 4 and 5: grandmothers, little boys, and the right to vote

Thanksgiving Day 4: Yesterday was mid-term elections and the voter turn out was record breaking, at least it was here.  No matter how annoying those television, radio, and internet ads have been, they must have worked because in a matter of 12 hours the people voted for change. I did not agree with everything that was voted in or some of the people elected but I am thankful that "we the people" showed up and made our voices heard.

Thanksgiving Day 5: More and more as I look in the mirror I see my mother looking back at me. Years ago when she was just a glimpse in the mirror it caused me some concern, I was not ready to look like "Granna" though I had already been enjoying the love of two very special little boys.

Those little boys are now young men. One of whom was baptized just this past Sunday night. His first and most important decision...Now the two have become four...ages 13, 11, 4, and 3...and to them, I've always looked like this...I've always been Granna...

Today as I look in the mirror I am thankful for those little dark circles under my eyes. It means I am tired from partaking in the adventures conjured up in the imaginations of the youngest two. I am thankful for the lines around my eyes and mouth. It's the result of years filled with laughter and smiles, pride and love from the oldest two. Yes, I am even thankful for those few extra pounds packed around my middle. It means we've enjoyed some good food and great conversation.

Let's face it, I am GRANNA...I am satisfied, I am fulfilled, I am happy...I might as well look the part!

Thanksgiving...

Today is the first Sunday in November and life has been so busy. This is the season of my life where things should be slowing down, but instead it seems to be speeding up and in a constant state of change. Not a good thing for a control freak like me! I'm changing...I'm gonna learn to go with the flow...gonna let go and let God as the popular saying goes.

During this month of thanksgiving I am going to make it a practice to give thanks...I mean, really give thanks. It has to be more than just rattling off a list during my evening prayers, right? I want to, no I need to stop and notice and be truly thankful for the little things...things I constantly overlook...smiles from strangers, the laughter of a child, the million and one things my family does for me that I take for granted.

Maybe this state of thanksgiving will turn into a lifestyle thing...you know one that lasts 24/7- 365 days a year...year after year...now wouldn't that be dandy? It really is the little things that make up a BIG life. I pray as I enter old age I never forget this one simple fact.

Today I am thankful for closed doors and open windows...and the ability, the privilege of praising God in the hallway and the lessons learned during the wait, no matter how painful they are or how foolish I feel once the truth dawns on me. I am thankful for the little glimpses of God in this ever-changing life I am living and the calm amid the chaos.

Wes King - Life Is Precious

Today's Discovery....

Dandelion seeds blow in the wind!

So thankful for a blustery fall day and an un-mowed lawn!

This getting back to basics thing is doing this old woman's heart good. It is the simple things in life that make it worth while. I pray I never take these moments for granted. Life through the eyes of a child is definitely worth the sight!