Super Simple Sunday

It is Sunday--time for Super Simple Sunday hosted by Peggy at Amazing Grace--Mazes, Messes, Miracles,

This song has been going through my head since early this morning, so I thought I would share it with you. Please stop by and visit Peggy and all the other participants--maybe join in yourself!!

"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found".....Luke 15:32

I once was lost, but now I'm found
I once was lost, but now I'm found
So far away, but I'm home now
I once was lost, but now I'm found
And now my lifesong sings

I once was blind, but now I see
I once was blind, but now I see
I don't know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see

And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings

I once was dead, but now I live
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You

Gratitude Journal

I was visiting Sonya last week at Truth 4 the Journey. She mentioned visiting Cheryl Barker. So, I went to visit her, too. (Yes, I get around, don't I?)

I liked the name of Cheryl's blog right away--Cheryl's R & R--getting REAL--being REFRESHED. Boy, do I need that!!

So, as I was reading she was describing her "Gratitude Journal", and I loved the idea of this. But, then, I was thinking to myself--"I do a lot of journaling already--when am I going to fit this in?"

It sounded important though--this "Gratitude Journal", so I continued reading. It's not so complicated--one little journal, the date and one thing, just ONE thing you were thankful for that day.

And then take a little time to thank God for whatever you wrote down.

Now, I know that I have had some bad days sometimes. But, think about it--focusing at the end of the day on just one thing that you were thankful for--maybe the beauty of the sunrise that morning, maybe something someone said to you, maybe the fact that God loves you--the thankfuls are endless!

And, it just so happens that I received my birthday package from my youngest in Texas the beginning of the week. Guess what she sent me?

Yes, she sent me this beautiful journal!! I always use composition books--like the ones we had in first grade, and they would be fine for this, also. But, a brand new beautiful journal to start my beautiful "Gratitude Journal". How exciting!! If you would like to read more about this, please visit Cheryl--let her know what you think of her idea. Personally, I love it, and I'm going to start tonight!!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

It is Saturday, and time for "Then Sings My Soul Saturday"!!! Be sure and visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders for more inspiration and music!!

The song I have chosen this week speaks directly to my heart. I was this lost person with a hardened heart. The Lord spoke to me, led me back to Him, and now I am "Spoken For", purchased by God through Jesus at an enormous price. Am I that valuable? Am I that priceless? Yes, in God's eyes I am, as we all are.

"To hear You say, 'This one's mine', my heart is spoken for."

"SPOKEN FOR" BY MERCY ME

Take this world from me
I don't need it anymore
I am finally free
My heart is spoken for

Oh and I praise you
Oh and I worship you...

[CHORUS:]
Covered by your love divine
Child of the risen Lord
To hear you say "This one's mine"
My heart is spoken for

Now I have a peace
I've never known before
I find myself complete
My heart is spoken for

Oh and I praise you
Oh and I worship you...

[CHORUS:]
Covered by your love divine
Child of the risen Lord
To hear you say "This one's mine"
My heart is spoken for

By the power of the cross
You've taken what was lost
And made it fully yours
And I have been redeemed
By you that spoke to me
Now I am spoken for

[CHORUS:]
Covered by your love divine
Child of the risen Lord
To hear you say "This one's mine"
My heart is spoken for

Take this world from me
Don't need it anymore...

Have a wonderful Saturday!!

Beth

Thankful Thursday and Join Me at the Cafe

I am joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey for Thankful Thursday, and since the Internet Cafe Holiday Expo is also on gratitude, I decided to combine the two into one post.

Sonya is requesting that we list 5 things that we are thankful for, no matter how big or small.Since this is Thanksgiving, the day that is set aside to be thankful, I have more than 5 big things that I'm thankful for today:

• Jesus, who loved and thought enough of me to give His very life for me

• God’s love for me

• God waiting patiently for me to re-turn to Him

• Forgiveness

• God surrounding me with people to uplift and encourage me to press onward

• My continual growth in God’s Word and His LOVE

• My faith in God, which is so strong, that I KNOW that one day my family will be restored and brought to HIM (MY ENTIRE FAMILY)

• My children--children I thought I would never have and are now adults. Thank you, God for these precious blessings

As for what I've done today--on Thanksgiving:

I've spent the day cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my children and I. We just finished eating, and we're all extremely full. The clean-up operation hasn't begun yet, but soon.

Just so you know that I really do can cook, here's a picture of my turkey:




While waiting for the turkey and side dishes to complete cooking, I finished Cara's hat which matches her Irish Hiking Scarf.

I haven't decided whether to add a pom pom on the top or not. What do you think? Pom pom or not?

I even did a load of laundry today, and as I was doing this I was thinking about how thankful I am to have running water, clothes to wear, a washer and dryer because there are many who do not.

I am also thankful for the provision of food that we enjoyed for our Thanksgiving dinner. There are so many in this country and others who don't have one regular meal a day--much less the amount of food I prepared for my family.

Also, one last item, and then I'm out for the day:

Heather is Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving, 2008, by setting up a blog specifically for people to post their testimonies. This is what she has to say:

"This week, many bloggers have devoted a special post in which they are sharing their personal testimonies of the Lord's work in their lives and/or that of their families. Our collective prayer is that this sharing of their testimonies will not only encourage each other and give Glory to our Lord, but also show the love of Christ to those who happen upon our blogs. To enjoy many more testimonies please visit them ...
or maybe you'd like to join them!!!

Please stop by and visit Heather and read all the wonderful testimonies of how Our Lord is working in each and everyone of our lives.


I have posted my testimony here, and I would appreciate it if you would stop by, read and know me more--where I have been and come from and the person I have become.

My wish for all of you is that you have had a blessed Thanksgiving, one to stop and be thankful for all that you have in your life.

Getting to Know Me--Christmas Edition

Welcome to the Christmas/Holiday edition of getting to know me.

I was visiting Jennifer at Through the Storms of Life. She had this posted, and I thought I would share a little of my Christmas with you.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I use both with ribbons, bows, and tags made from Christmas cards received in previous years.

2. Real tree or Artificial? We have had both--artificial for quite a while due to allergies of various family members. But, everyone seems to have outgrown them (including me!), so we have switched back to a live tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? Not until December 22 or 23 when my youngest daughter arrives home from Texas, and then all three children decorate the tree together.

4. When do you take the tree down? Not until the middle of January!! We put it up late, so we leave it up a little longer than most in order to enjoy it.

5. Do you like egg nog? Not really.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My "Beth" doll from "Little Women". I received this the Christmas after my father died, and I still have this doll.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes--one in the living room and one on the dining room table.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My son, Andrew--though he made it very easy for me this year. He has decided that instead of presents for himself he would prefer that donations be made to charities in his name. This is a whole new experience for him, and I was pleasantly surprised.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Either of my daughters. They like basically anything.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I do both.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't really remember a Christmas gift that I haven't liked or appreciated.

12. Favorite Christmas movie(s)? When my family used to get together for Christmas, we watched "Christmas Vacation" every year. I'm not much of a movie watcher. I did see "The Nativity", and I like that a lot.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I make almost all of my Christmas presents, so I really should start in January!! I've gotten a late start this year, and I'm pushing myself to finish.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? At my work, we have a Christmas luncheon. Everyone brings something in that they no longer want, wrapped as a present. Our supervisor reads a story called "The Right Family", and the presents are passed around the table--right, right, left, right, left--according to what is said in the story. You just never know what you're going to end up with. It's not really recycling a present but done in fun.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Turkey and stuffing--although one year we did have lasagne!

16. Clear or colored Christmas lights? Colored lights that don't blink.

17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Silent Night, Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful, Sleigh Ride and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We used to travel, but this year will be the first that we will be staying home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph if the weather is bad!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The commercialism--people forgetting what we are truly celebrating.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't have a favorite ornament. My tree is decorated with ornaments that I've given my children every year since they were born and ornaments that they have given me since they've been older. They are all special and each have their own individual meaning and memories.

24. Favorite dinner for Christmas? Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, corn, sauerkraut and apple pie.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Resolution of differences within my family.

26. Do you bake lots of goodies during the holidays? If yes, what? I used to bake a lot--not so much anymore. I usually make spice cookies, chocolate chip cookies and Christmas candy cane breads for breakfast Christmas morning (recipe below).

27. Do you decorate different room of your home? Usually only the living room and dining room.

28. What decorations do you put outside? I live in an apartment, so I only put a wreath on the door.

29. How do you spend Christmas Eve? I usually spend the day at work, then to church in the evening with friends, my children and their friends. Then back to my place where we have a little get together with my children and their friends--appetizer-type foods. This is part of my Christmas present to them.

30. Is Christmas your favorite holiday? I do love Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Savior, spending time with my children. But, when I think about this, Easter should be the bigger holiday--celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.

Feel free to copy this and post it on your blog. Share the Christmas fun with your readers, too. I love to read about others' Christmas traditions--maybe start some new ones of my own!!

Ah Ha!! Caught in the Act!!

Oh my!! This is what I walked into when I came home from work today!! This is one little kitty having himself a whole lot of fun at my expense!!


As you can see, Miles is at it again!! And I just have to wonder where he is getting this yarn!!

And be sure to notice in the second picture--he has even managed to somehow remove the tank from his water dish!! So not only is there yarn everywhere, but water, too. And he is looking at this like "how in the world did this happen?"

This is after I have reorganized my yarn in boxes with lids, cleaned my closet and placed these boxes on the top shelf just so he can't reach them.

The only thing I can think of is that he has a stash of this somewhere, and when he is bored he gets himself a ball of yarn and just plays and plays (and makes a big mess!).

Oh, well!! Off to clean up the water and the yarn--once again.

And Kelly--in response to your question about using store bought croissants for the Christmas breads--I don't think that would work. But, I'd consider using frozen bread loaves instead of making the bread dough if you really wanted to try them.

K--that's all for a while!!

Beth

Holiday Cooking Blogger Style

I mentioned several posts ago, about Holiday Cooking Blogger Style. At the time I had originally looked at this, there were several recipes. Today, I checked again, and there are 64 recipes.

Since I had mentioned my Christmas breakfast tradition yesterday, I decided to add that recipe to the list.


These are the Candy Cane coffee cakes that I make for our Christmas morning breakfast. I usually make them a few days before Christmas and then refrigerate them. Christmas morning, pop them into the oven, warm them up and then put on the glaze.

I'm not taking credit for the picture--these are not ones that I have made--though mine do look like this--minus the bow!! This recipe makes 3 large candy canes, so I usually give one away.

Christmas Candy Cane Coffee Cakes

Makes 3 coffee cakes (12 slices each)

2 packages regular or quick active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F)
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
5 1/2 to 6 cups Gold Medal Better for Bread™ flour
or Gold Medal all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups chopped dried apricots
1 1/2 cups chopped drained maraschino cherries
Coffee Cake Glaze

1 1/2 cups red cinnamon candies, if desired

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Add buttermilk, sugar, butter, eggs, baking powder, salt and 2 1/2 cups of the flour. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. (Dough should be soft and slightly sticky.)

2. Grease 3 cookie sheets. Turn dough onto well-floured surface; gently knead about 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Roll one part into rectangle, 15 x 9 inches. Place rectangle on cookie sheet.

3. Mix apricots and chopped cherries. Spread one-third of the apricot mixture in a strip about 2 1/2 inches wide lengthwise down center of rectangle. Make cuts in dough at 1/2-inch intervals on both 15-inch sides almost to filling. Fold strips over filling, overlapping and crossing in center. Carefully stretch dough until 22 inches long; curve one end to form top of cane. Repeat with remaining 2 parts of dough. Cover and let rise in warm place about 1 hour or until double. (Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.)

4. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Drizzle Glaze over warm coffee cakes. Decorate with cinnamon candies.

I have some other Christmas recipes, too, but I'll save them for another day.

K--that's all for a while!!

Beth

Christmas Progression

So far, the rugs that I posted several days ago have done nothing but frustrate me. I have almost completely started them over twice. After doing this the second time, I set them aside for a while. I know myself enough to know that when a project is frustrating me, I'm best to put it down, move on to something else and then come back to it later.

I think the reason it is so frustrating to me is the many color changes. I'm thinking of a different way to do this to make it a little easier.

What have I moved on to?

I have started LIndsay's second market bag:


Today I went to the store to buy the circular needles I needed to make Cara's hat to match her scarf. I couldn't believe of all the needles that I have that I didn't have this size!! So that will also be in progress--hopefully by the beginning of the week.

I know that some of you think I have forgotten my Kitty Tracker, but I have not!! So, here is kitty moving along:

Thank goodness I have finally reached beyond the 10 pound point!! It seemed to take forever!! But, what you have to remember (and probably most of you don't know) is that last year at this time I was almost 50 pounds heavier than I am now.

And yesterday and last night, we had our first snow!!


I took these pictures yesterday outside of my office before I went into work. Not a lot of snow, maybe 1/2 to 1 inch, and then just cold enough to make the road a little icy last night. We've had flurries off and on through the day.

Back to the Christmas projects now!!

K--that's all for a while!!

Beth

Holiday Traditions

This was to be posted on Thursday, but I'm a little behind--mainly due to some traditions!!

We have many traditions in our home for Christmas--even what we serve for breakfast every year is a tradition. I make Christmas Candy Cane breads--a sour cream yeast dough filled with dried apricots and marischino cherries. These are candy cane shaped, baked and then drizzled with a glaze. They are a lot of work, and I wasn't going to make them one year and was met with great protest!! "But, it is a tradition!" So, the tradition remains and continues!! I'll post the recipe later if anyone is interested.

I have to say that the greatest tradition that we have is our actual Christmas ornaments. My children are now 27, 25 and 23. Each year since the year they were born, I have either purchased or made them a Christmas ornament. When they were very young, I purchased ornaments that were appropriate for young children.

However, as they grew and started participating in different activities and had jobs, I've tried and mainly been successful in finding ornaments that pertained to their individual accomplishments during that year.

When my son started playing the violin, he received a wooden violin for his ornament. The same applies to my oldest daughter--she plays the cello, so she received a cello the year she started playing. My youngest plays the flute, so, yes, I have a flute on my tree. This youngest daughter also took many years of dance lessons, so she has several ballerinas--glass blown, porcelain, and a pair of point shoes for the year she accomplished that goal.

My son worked through high school at a local grocery store in their seafood department. He received a lobster for the tree that year.

The ornaments that stay in my mind the most though was one of the many years where I had little to spend and had to wait until the very last minute (Christmas Eve, actually) to do any of my Christmas shopping. I had very little to spend, and these children knew this. I did what shopping I could, and then remembered--the Christmas tree ornaments!!

I only had a few dollars left to spend, so I headed over to WalMart to see what I could find. By this time, not much was left that would accommodate my limited budget. I looked and looked and finally ended up with three ornaments--one for each of them. I was not happy with these ornaments. They had nothing to do with any accomplishments that year. But, it was what I could find for the amount of money I had to spend.

I have to admit that these are not very attractive ornaments. In fact, I would never have purchased them except for the "tradition" of this.

As my children have grown and the youngest moving to Texas, a new tradition has developed. My Chirstmas tree may be in the stand and ready to be decorated, but it is not decorated until she arrives home, no matter what day or hour, and the three of them decorate the tree together. One year she arrived at my home on Christmas Eve, close to midnight, and they stayed up until 2 a.m. decorating the tree together.

I did not see the tree until the next morning. I was sound asleep while they were doing this. When I awoke the next morning and saw the tree, there were the three WalMart, not so attractive ornaments, hanging on the tree--just as they have been every year since I bought them.

I told them that they really didn't need to put those ornaments on the tree, that I knew they didn't particularly care for them. The answer from my children:

"These belong on our Christmas tree because they are a reminder of the year when we had nothing."

They really didn't have "nothing", but it was very little compared to some other years. We have had years since where times have been lean and there has been very little in the way of presents. But, those ornaments hang on my tree every year, as a reminder to me and to them-- how blessed we are because there are those that have even less.

And this year, my son is starting a new tradition--instead of buying his sisters personal Christmas gifts, he has made arrangements to purchase the "goat and two chicks" package" through the World Vision Catalog--a gift to those who definitely have less than we do, in his sisters' names.

I have asked my son repeatedly what he would like for Christmas, and he repeatedly says, "Nothing". After learning of his interest in this organization, I asked him to look through the catalog and see what affected him the most. His answer was "water". He said how we take our water for granted--just go to the sink or shower, turn it on, and there it is--clean water. And he read about how so many children are dying every year due to water related illnesses.

My Christmas gift to him this year--a donation in his name towards the digging of a well so that these children may have fresh drinking water.

And a new tradition has begun!!

All 3 of my children profess to be nonbelievers of our Savior. I look at my son, his interest in this when he had no interest at all before in the plight of others, and I am seeing a softening of his heart, and I thank God for this.

Make sure and stop by the Internet Cafe and visit all the participants sharing their own holiday traditions and ideas. Who know? You may find something that you would like to start as your own tradition!.

I'll be back later today to post some progress in my handmade Christmas presents, which has become another tradition. I have a few pictures to take and download--so probably by this afternoon.

In the meantime, if you'd like to hear some inspiring music, you could stop by here and view "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" which is hosted by Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

K--that's all for a while!!

Beth

I have started Cara's rug but haven't gotten too far. Other commitments--such as cleaning--have kept me from much progress today. It doesn't seem too difficult so far, and I hope the designer is correct in saying that it is "surprisingly quick".


As usual, the colors aren't really true, but they are fairly close. I think it will be interesting to see how each daughter's rugs reflect their personalities. Cara has chosen bright colors--some of which I don't think go together. But, they are her choice, and it is her rug.

Lindsay, on the other hand, has chosen a lot of muted colors with a splash of orange thrown in--only because that is her boyfriend's favorite color.

I'm off work tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to accomplish a little more on this project.

I wanted to point out--if you read in my header--I'm changing the Bible verse there from time to time to tell the Christmas story. If you've missed this so far, Gabriel has appeared to Zechariah, told him of the coming birth of his son John, and Elizabeth, his wife has become pregnant.

39 days to Christmas!! I'd better get moving!!

K--That's all for a while!!

Beth

Blessings and Market Bag Completed

I missed yesterday, so I have a lot to share today!!

First, I have completed Lindsay's first market bag!! I am planning on making two--we'll see how far I can progress in other projects before returning to make another one in a slightly different pattern. I love this bag, and I may just have to make one for myself (after Christmas!). And then another problem occurred.

Cara stopped by last night, spied this bag in completion and was carrying it around, trying it out. I think she would like one, too. Her birthday is in January, so maybe that's an idea for then.

So, without further ado, here is the picture of the completed Lacy V Market Bag!!

I was racing against the sun yesterday because I wanted to take a picture outside, but the sun won. So, I thought today I will take a picture outside--it's pouring!! So, we have a picture taken with the bag hanging from one of my kitchen cabinets.

Now, I'll be able to move on to the next project--let's see--one done for Cara, one done for Lindsay--now it's Cara's turn again!!

And, I've decided to progress to what I'm assuming will be the most time consuming of them all--their rugs:

This is a design by Interweave Knits, and it says "surprisingly quick". I certainly hope so because this is the yarn that I have for each of the girls' rugs. If you look at the link, the picture of the completed rug is at the bottom of the pattern instructions.

Cara's box of rug yarn

Lindsay's box of rug yarn

They each picked out their own colors when Lindsay was home for a visit in May. Yes, I've had this in my closet since May and am just now getting started on this!! Hopefully, the designer is correct, and this will be "surprisingly quick"!!

Now on to some Blog Blessings:

Denise at Shortybear's Place has passed on to me two Blog Blessings!! First, the Marie Antoinette. Now, I looked into this a little--about Marie Antoinette--how she became the Queen of France at the age of 14 and was executed by beheading. Oh, I hope that doesn't happen to me!!

I am certainly not a Queen, but I am a Princess!! So, I suppose this blessing to appropriate to me:

Denise also blessed with this award because I am "real" to her. I liked that a lot--coming across as being real to her through my writings.

Thank you, Denise, for thinking of me in this absolutely awesome way--two blessings!!

Now, there are rules attached to these blessings. I'm supposed to pass these on--the first to 5 people and the second to 7 people. I have a very difficult time doing this, so I'm going to change this a little. I hope Denise doesn't mind!!

If you don't have these blessings for your blog already and would like to have them, here's all you have to do:

Go back and look at those boxes of yarn. Leave me a comment telling me who you think would have the most fun with that amount of yarn, and then just snag these blessings for yourself!! I think we all know who would have the most fun, and if you don't--just read back a little bit--you'll soon discover the answer!!

I'm off to start on Cara's rug, then to work and a service project (which is, of course, outside--hope it stops raining!!).


K--that's all for a while!!


Beth

Today is My Birthday--I'm Gonna Have a Good Time!!

Yes, today is my birthday!! And before I do anything else, I want to thank every one who left "Happy Birthday" wishes for me!! This was just what I needed today!! So, a big thanks to each and every one of you for uplifting me on this day!!

I have some pictures to share of presents that I received at work. I did receive a plant with beautiful yellow flowers, but I forgot to bring that home with me. It's probably a good thing though. Miles would have either eaten it or knocked it over and ruined it digging in the soil! We all know what a good kitty MIles is!!

These are Christmas penguin socks!! I think these are really cute, and I know that I'll be wearing these to work a little closer to Christmas.

And here is a glass lighthouse suncatcher. I love lighthouses!!

This is a small bag with Eeyore on it. This will be perfect for small knitting or crocheting projects!

And these are two pictures that were taken at Assateague Island in Virginia--my very favorite place. Someone I work with went there in September, and she enlarged and framed the pictures for me.

I've also received several beautiful cards in my e-mail!! And my friend, Peggy? Guess what she has been doing since I've been home from work and is still doing? I can see the e-mail alerts as I'm typing this. And she also made me cry joyous tears this morning before I ever left for work with her "Thankful Thursday" post!

She is sending me the gift of music!! I love music--just stirs my soul!! And she is sending me some of her and my favorite songs!!

So, a happy birthday all around!!

One last note--Grammy has decided to stop The Cleaning Game. However, the task for today was to pamper yourself, and I'm still going to do that. I'm going to bed early, get a good night's sleep because I have a lot to accomplish tomorrow in a day off from work!!

Thank you to everyone for making my birthday such a happy and joyous event!!



K--that's all for a while!!



Beth

Cleaning Game Update, Market Bag On The Way!

The mess that Miles made is cleared away and cleaned!! I detangled only the good yarn and just threw away the rest. I know, I know--it seems a waste to throw away this yarn, but they were scrap balls of cotton yarn. They could have been used for something, but I would have been all night detangling them, and I just don't have the time or the energy!!

I did not reorganize my yarn or my closet--that will just have to wait for another day!!

So, Tornado Tuesday is completed, and another $1 to my jar!!

If you'd like to join in on the Cleaning Game, just click on the picture on my sidebar, and it will take you directly to Grammy's where you can read the rules and receive each day's challenge.

And, I LOVE this day's challenge:

Today, the task will be to pamper your self.
It can be as easy as Jump in the tub and relax.
Put your feet up and relax.

Hmmmm.....I'm going to have to try to remember how to do this!! Maybe Grammy really does know me!! Maybe she knows I need to relax a little more than I have been doing!!

Just so you don't think that I've forgotten my Christmas projects in the midst of The Cleaning Game, here is a picture of Lindsay's market bag so far:


This is about 1/4 of the way completed. It goes along pretty fast, so I'm hoping to have this finished and move on to my next Cara project soon. What shall I tackle next?

Off to update my "Love Dare".

K--that's all for a while!!

Beth

The Cleaning Game--Tornado Tuesday

Oh, I was thinking I was a day behind again!! But, I'm not--this is the task that Grammy has posted last night to be completed by this evening.

Today's task is to organize 1 thing.

You can organize your yarn
organize 1 cabinet or drawer
Just pick 1 easy thing to do.

It is up to you what needs to get
organized for your self.

What?? Organize your yarn, organize a cabinet or a drawer? I wonder it that includes that closet I mentioned yesterday?

Hmmm...seems pretty odd, doesn't it? That Grammy would mention yarn, a cabinet or a drawer when I just posted pictures of all the mess that Miles has made. But, no the timing is wrong. She just must know more about my life than I think!!

If you want to learn more about The Cleaning Game, you can just click on the picture in my sidebar, and you'll be directed to Grammy's site!

Progress is being made on Lindsay's market bag!! I don't have pictures yet. I'll wait until a little more is completed so you can see how pretty it is going to be. I'm pleased with my progress so far.

And PLEASE, remind me in January, 2009 to start for Christmas of 2009 so that I am not being overwhelmed like this again!!

I'll be back later to let you know about the completion of my task. I don't know--I'm looking at this closet right now--it looks a little bit too much to accomplish in one evening. So, maybe just the yarn--which is still on the floor!!

K--that's all for a while!!

Beth

The Cleaning Game--Update!!

My original post was at 4:30 this morning. I am home from work now, have cleaned out my purse, and I paid myself $1. So, I'm off to a good start.

But, this what I really should have done instead:

This is Miles, my kitty. Don't you think he looks just so innocent lying there on the floor?

WELL, HE IS NOT!! HE HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!

This is what I encountered in my dining room this morning!!

And into the kitchen to make my coffee!! See how he has the yarn wrapped around his water dish and into the box that he took out of the trash can??

I just don't know what to do with him!! I think the solution is this:

Hopefully, one of the tasks will be to clean out your closet. Then, I'm going to put my boxes of yarn on the top shelf where (hopefully) he cannot reach them.

This mess was from one of two boxes that contain yarn, and believe it or not, I have a stack of book on top of them just so he can't get into them!! How he ever managed this, I just don't know. How I slept through all of this, I just don't know that either!!

Off to post my latest Love Dare! Stop by and visit!! Come to think of it, Miles is quite a challenge to love sometimes, too. He's lucky I love him so much!!

K--that's all for a while!!

Beth