2015... in the rear view mirror; 2016... straight ahead

It seems odd to me that for a year in which my one word was "time", I feel as though I can't account for much of my time. Hmmm...

It was a good year for us. Part of the reason for the swift passage of time this year is that my husband had the busiest year ever in appraisals. He literally worked seven days a week and 12+ hours for five days a week all year long. I am begging him to cut back in 2016. I know he has to work while the work is available, but this was too much. I missed him!

When he did manage to unchain himself from his desk we had lots of fun family activities. Three of the grandkids are old enough now to have adventures with. We are so looking forward to the expansion of our little family in 2016 with the arrival of Snow in February.

In 2015 I read my Chronological Bible again for my quiet time. Every so often, I put it aside for another Bible, but I always miss it and go back to it. This year I'm not going to stray and will read it again. I am adding something new, though. I bought a "Jesus Calling" flip calendar this past summer and have been reading it too. I was familiar with "Jesus Calling" because several friends use it as a devotion. I had no idea how great it is until I started reading it. I love it. I can't believe how right on the daily devotions are some mornings - just what I need!

I did a lot of stitching in 2015. I should finish my 20th project before the 31st. I managed to stitch several projects that were just for me and I'm hoping to be able to do that in 2016 too. I'm not very optimistic on that front though, because with new babies on the way, and other commitments, I already have nine large projects to stitch. Maybe my fingers will magically gain speed! Actually, I'm just praying that my eyes will hold out. I do hope to do a much better job about posting my stitching progress. I'm contemplating a rotation system similar to Lana's. I haven't worked out the details yet, but with so many large projects to do, I'm thinking this will help to keep me from getting bored. I will try to update my progress each weekend. I think I can, I think I can... we'll see.

I'm so excited for the new year! I'm ready for a fresh start and a new year of challenges and opportunities.

Thank you for continuing to read my blog, especially this past year when I rarely posted.  I always appreciate your kind comments and encouraging words.

Happy 2016!

Only Four Days Left...

Can you believe it? 2015 is swiftly coming to an end. I have to admit though, that I'm looking forward to 2016. I feel very optimistic about the new year, overall.

Things I'm looking forward to include: my new granddaughter Snow arriving sometime in February, becoming a great-aunt in August, family trip to Disneyland, and completing lots of stitching projects!

Haha, that last one may be a pipe dream, but I'm determined to give it my best shot.

Since our family Christmas was last weekend, Christmas Day was pretty low key for us. We went out to breakfast with Jessica and Storm, and then laid around the house watching Star Wars I-IV. On Saturday we started taking down the trees and watched Star Wars V-VI. Then on Sunday we went to the cinema and saw Star Wars VII. It was very good. I'm excited for the next two episodes in 2017 and 2019.

I have most of Christmas down. I'm moving slowly due to some back issues. Grrr - very frustrating.

This week I will posting my wrap up of 2015 and a preview of 2016 plus my one word.

In the meantime, I'm off to work on baby shower tasks and birthday planning for my mom's 80th. What a way to start a new year!

Stitching Update

Hi. My name is Vicki and I am a cross stitcher. I mean it. I really am. Although you would not be able to tell from reading my blog this year!

I have been stitching steadily this year and as of today have finished 19 projects this year. What I have NOT done is post photos of my projects. I don't know why. I take the photos. I download them onto my computer. But it stops there. Somehow those photos never make their way onto my blog.

Today's post has two purposes. To show some of the photos that have been languishing on my computer and to lay out a plan to be a better stitcher/blogger in 2016.

First the photos. This year for Christmas we wanted to do something very different for our adult kids. We gave them cash. This is not going to be a new tradition, it's just something we wanted to do to break up the routine. I think they all enjoyed the cash.

Of course, I didn't just want to give them cash in an envelope, I wanted it to be more special than that. So I made them all boxes. I always buy cigar boxes, photo boxes, boxes of every shape and size when I come across them at estate sales or Goodwill. They make great displays for stitching.

This year I was fortunate enough to find three Hallmark photo boxes at an estate sale for $1 each. I gave those to the girls and gave cigar boxes to the guys.

I also made a baby sampler for one of Katie's friends. This is the third sampler I've made for her - she has three young daughters. I love this Sue Hillis design.

Now for the changes I'm going to try to make. I tried this before and didn't do well, but I'm dusting it off to try again. I hope to post stitching updates every Saturday. I have a lot of stitching projects to do in 2016 and hopefully I'll do a better job of sharing my progress with you.

We'll see...

Family Christmas 2015

We had our family Christmas this past weekend. It just gets more and more fun the older the grandkids get.

This year we started off with a couple of performances. Jessica and Thunder sang "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" and Skye, Sunny, and I sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Then Skye sang a solo of "Baby Jesus" and Skye and Thunder sang "And Santa is His Name-o".

After dining on Pizza and Salad (although I'm not sure any of them ate even one entire piece of pizza) it was time to open presents. This year the three older grandkids all helped to play Santa, Even though they can't all read yet, they all recognize the letters of the alphabet and could tell who to take the gift to by the first letter of each name. Of course, they can all read their own names (except Storm). It's always so much fun to hear their squeals of excitement as they open each new gift. 

Patiently waiting to dive into their pile of gifts

My folks, Papa and Gigi with Gabe, Katie, Sunny, Thunder

Storm immediately knew what to do with the phone that came with his kitchen!

Skye with a beloved present

Thunder checking out Storm's kitchen

Sunny with her haul

Time to open the stockings

Sweet cousins - Sunny and Skye

Jessica, Storm, Adam - what a good family photo

It's That Time of Year

This is the time of year when I evaluate 2015 and start planning for 2016. I look back over the year and decide what worked and what didn't. I give myself permission to toss out what didn't work and I come up with a new plan for a new year.

One of the areas that I failed miserably in 2015 is this blog and my Christmas blog. I rarely posted. I've mused in previous posts about why that is, but the truth is I don't have a good reason or any kind of an excuse.

It's not that I'm tired of blogging, I still really love it. It's not that I don't have anything to say, I have an opinion on everything and am rarely at a loss for words. It's not that I don't have adorable grandchildren, cute pets, and a terrific family to post about, I do.

It's that... never mind, I have no clue.

So, I'm slowly starting to think of ways to improve for 2016. I have come up with one solution. I try to post a verse every day, but this year I doubt if it was even once a week. The only thing that saved that feature of the blog was that this was an SSMT memory year with Beth Moore, so I at least posted my memory verses every two weeks. But 2016 is an off year, so I won't even have that to keep me in line.

So the first Sunday in January I will introduce a verse for the week. That way I'm committing to 52 verses instead of 365. No wait, 366 - it's leap year!

I'm excited about this new feature and hope you will enjoy it.

Between now and New Year's, I'll be sharing other ways that I plan to improve in 2016 and my One Word.

Thank you so much for reading my blog, I appreciate all of your comments and encouragement!

SSMT #24

Wow, I can't believe this is the last verse of the year. The time has flown by. I hope that I will continue to try to memorize verses through the off year. I want my heart and mind to be focused on God's Word. I need to be able to recall verses of promise, hope, and instruction as I move through my day-to-day life. For the last verse I chose one of my favorites...

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

SSMT #23

I read this verse yesterday in my daily reading and knew I had to commit it to memory. Actually, it's two verses, but it flows as one.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Happy Thanksgiving

For the beauty of the earth

For the glory of the skies

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies

Lord of all to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best Gift Divine

To the world so freely given

For that great, great love of Thine

Peace on earth and joy in Heaven

Lord of all to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

SSMT #22

Oops, I'm running a day late this week.

Here's my 22nd verse - a reminder just for me!

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6

Veteran's Day

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD

Canadian Army

The Eyes Are the First Thing to Go...

I have a confession to make. I can not see the characters when I write my blog posts.

I'm not sure if this is due to my advanced age, or if it's because we got a new computer recently and now neither one of us can see the screens. (Note to self: remind Dan AGAIN to change the resolution).

This has been very frustrating as I like to publish a quality post with no typos, misspelled words, or weird punctuation if possible.

I have avoided increasing the font size because, well, because I'm vain about stuff like that and don't want readers to realize that I can only see words that are 1/2 inch tall.

But earlier this week I found the perfect solution! It's so great that I can't believe I never thought of it before.

Are you ready?

I change the font size as I'm typing it and then change it back when I'm ready to publish.

I know.

Genius, right?

I feel so much better about what I'm writing now that I can actually see it.

You know, it really is the little things in life that bring the most pleasure.

Blog Stuff

When I started this blog over six years ago I was a first time Grammy. I wanted to write about my granddaughter, but I also wanted to satisfy my urge for creative writing. Over the years I've reevaluated the blog from time to time and have been open in stating what changes I was going to make. Of course, as life goes, half the changes never "took".

I love writing the blog and have no intention of stopping. I have been reevaluating it again and have decided to make some changes. I thought this time I would be more circumspect by NOT sharing my intentions.. Maybe that way if (when) they don't occur I won't feel so guilty!

I can see that my posts have steadily decreased over the past couple of years. My excuse is that my husband has been so busy I don't have as much access to the computer. Also, having grandkids three days a week really cuts down on my "me" time. Which I don't regret.

So, at the end, I'm faced with the reality that I need to be more deliberate about making time to blog. Instead of blaming it on "scheduling" (isn't that a nice way to put it?) I need to adjust my schedule to make the time work for me.

So, this is my non-announcement about unshared changes I'm going to make in my blog.

Aren't you glad you read this post?!

Shake, Rattle, and Yawn

This past weekend I was talking to my son, JD about the increase in earthquakes in Oklahoma. There are several theories as to the cause of these quakes. I don't care about the cause. I only care about the fear factor. I am afraid of earthquakes.

Growing up in Kansas, we didn't have earthquakes. We only had tornadoes. And in all of my years of living there I never saw a tornado. I learned to grab my stuff and head to the basement when the sirens went off. (As I got older, I took my stuff to the basement and then ran outside to crane my neck to try to see the funnel cloud). In school we learned to all crouch under our desks or in the cloakroom when the sirens went off.

My mom watched a tornado destroy a neighborhood from across I-35 when we lived in Lenexa, KS. But that's the closest I've come to a twister.

I respect tornadoes, but I don't have a deep-seated fear of them.

Earthquakes are another story. You can't take cover from them. The sirens don't sound to warn you that one is imminent. They are very scary. They are why I never want to live in California (well, that, and the political environment and the tax rate and the lack of water).

This morning we awoke to the news that three earthquakes occurred overnight about 45 miles from our house. The first one was at approximately 9 pm - a 3.2. We were watching the Royals mount an epic comeback over the Mets at that time. We didn't feel a thing. Our pool didn't slosh onto the cool deck. Our dogs and cat didn't act odd.

The next two shakes happened at 11:30 and 11:50 pm. They were stronger - a 4.1 and a 4.0. I was asleep.

Now I know intellectually that earthquakes, like every other natural phenomenon can occur anywhere. But seriously, if we're going to start having them, I will start looking for a safer place to live. Where that is, I have no idea.

Although I have heard of plans to colonize Mars. Oh wait, I think that's just a movie...

SSMT #21

You are my hiding place;

you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 32:7 NIV

An Epic Sleepover

Last weekend Storm came to spend the night Friday and Saturday nights. I figured he might get bored with just us old folks so I invited the three cousins to come for a sleep over on Saturday night. It has been a long time since I've dealt with four kids. I was worn out on Sunday after everyone went home!

A good time was had by all as we ate pizza, watched a movie, played in the playroom, helped Gramps plant grass seed, ate animal pancakes, and played outside. Oh yes, and I think they got at least a few hours of sleep.

Here's proof of our fun-filled weekend...

Storm loves playing in the sandbox

Trying to fill Gramps' shoes

Sunny and Skye

(The rash you can see on Skye's cheek is non-contagious)

All four cousins - Storm was thrilled to be included with the big kids

Waiting for pizza

Planting grass seed

They liked to pretend they were "feeding the chickens"

Thunder was trying to be precise in his seed placement

Storm preferred the sandbox again

Handsome boy!

SSMT #20

My verse for this time is a verse of promise and serenity!

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."
Jeremiah 31:25

SSMT #19

As I sat down today to post my verse for this period, a totally different post began composing in my mind and another verse suddenly seemed more appropriate. I have experienced a lot of personal loss this past two weeks. Loss in the form of serious illness of friends, tragic outcomes for family members, sorrow for acquaintances experiencing devastating changes to their lives.

As I thought on all of this a verse from childhood popped into my mind. A verse I need to re-commit to memory.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills

From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

SSMT #18

I had a verse in mind for today, but then this morning as I was looking it up to type out, I came across another verse that I wanted to memorize. Isn't it awesome how God works?!

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:16

It reminds me of a song we used to sing when I was very little:

Praise Him, Praise Him!
All ye little children.
God is love, God is love!

Events Remembered, Never to be Forgotten

That day in second grade when the spelling test was interrupted with the news that the President of the United States had been assassinated.

That night in sixth grade when I lay awake in fear and sorrow as riots broke out across the nation  (and in St Louis where I lived) in response to the murder of Martin Luther King Jr.

That day in 1986 when I watched in horror as the Challenger exploded on take off.

That day in 1991 when I sat in my living room and watched a war begin.

That morning 14 years ago today when I awoke to the news that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center in New York City, turned on the TV and watched in disbelief as a second plane was flown into the other tower.

These are the events I remember every year that I will never forget.

Meeting Gracie

Well, it finally happened. I got to meet a fellow blogger face to face! I have made two attempts in the past to see friends I've met blogging, but both times the plans fell through. This time was a success and it was delightful.

I met Gracie of Needles Pins and Dragonflies last week. She was downsizing some of her stash and I expressed an interest in her Lizzie Kate flip-its. My hope was that we would be able to meet in person since we live so close to each other and it worked out. We spent an hour getting to know each other, discussing our LNS past and present, and other shops we've visited around the country. The time flew by and we're hoping to meet up again soon.

Gracie is a dear, and the best thing about meeting her (as I told her) is that now when I read her blog, I hear her voice!

Thank you for the flip-its, Gracie, and for taking the time to meet in person. I enjoyed it immensely!

SSMT #17

One of the many promises contained in God's Word:

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 NIV

Yesterday Was Exciting!

Yesterday I unexpectedly had to pick the kids up from school. First I went to get Thunder from pre-school. He was surprised and happy to see me, and I was very happy to see him in his I Love My Grammy shirt! When we got home we just had to take a photo. Especially since the shirt is obviously going to be waaay too small for him soon.

When I picked Sunny up, she was filled with excitement because she had a "purple" day at school. Purple is the 2nd highest achievement in her class. We then began talking about her Tooth Fairy Pillow. She was talking about her loosest tooth, when all of a sudden she shrieked "Grammy! My tooth fell out, my tooth fell out!" She was so excited. I pulled over the side to give her a tissue to bite on to stem the bleeding and then continued on home. Of course, then we had to take a photo of her new smile!

I talked to her this morning before school and she told me the tooth fairy left her $2 in her new pillow. And she has two more loose teeth. Guess the tooth fairy will be busy the next few weeks!

The Tooth Fairy is Back!

It's been a long time since the Tooth Fairy has visited our family. Actually, about 20 years. But now that Sunny is six years old, the Tooth Fairy is about to make a comeback. She has two loose teeth and the adult tooth is growing up behind one of them. Should be soon!

As soon as I got the news, I dropped the stocking I'm stitching for Storm, and started a Tooth Fairy pillow for Sunny. I used the same pattern I stitched for my kids, but changed up the colors to be more personal for Sunny. It turned out pretty good, I think.

The pocket is made of the same fabric I used to back the pillow. My DIL Janel had given me the little "made with love" charms for Christmas one year. I attached one and then stitched "by grammy" next to it. 

I guess I know what I'll be working on for the next few years as there are four grandkids behind her that will be entering the age of the tooth fairy visits!

There Will Be Snow in February in Phoenix

I know, the title of this post is a bold statement, but I can 100% guarantee that there will be Snow in Phoenix in February, at least at my house!

As you can see from the photo above, Storm is going to be a big brother! The new baby is coming in February and her/his name on my blog will be Snow.

In case you're new to my blog, let me explain. I don't want to use the kids' real names on my blog for security/safety concerns. Since I'm totally obsessed with weather, I decided to give them all weather related names. So far (in order of birth) we have Sunny, Skye, Thunder, Storm, and now Snow. Poor Thunder! I see he is the only one without an "S" name!

We are very excited to welcome our fifth grandchild! I know the time will fly by because this time of year I'm busy planning the holidays. We'll hold the baby shower the second weekend in January, then the VNSA Book Sale is held the weekend of 2/14, and then it will be time for the baby to arrive.

I can't wait to find out who is coming so I can start stitching on his/her Christmas stockings...

Congratulations Adam, Jessica, Storm!

SSMT #16

What a great verse, a vivid reminder of how to live our lives. I especially appreciate the words "being watchful and thankful". Being watchful. Watching for circumstances in which we should thank God? Even when the circumstances are not what we envisioned or hoped for? Yep, I believe we are to be thankful in everything. Even in the stuff we don't like. God is at work in every aspect of our lives. What's not to be thankful for?

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 NIV

Happy Birthday to Me!

I will admit it without shame. I love my birthday! I have always loved it. I'm not much for getting unexpected gifts, but I love to receive gifts on my birthday, Mother's Day, and Christmas. I am also not coy about sharing my age. I am 59 years old as of today. And proud of every year. I think aging is a huge accomplishment. Especially when you think of all of the experiences, challenges, and opportunities that make up a year of our lives.

This year to celebrate, I chose a party at Peter Piper Pizza. It was held yesterday at lunch. I chose this option for two reasons; 1) the grandkids would love it, and 2) I finally got to play some games and win some tickets myself!

Dan and I got there early to order the pizza. He bought 100 tokens and I started playing. My goal was to win as many tickets as I could and then distribute them among the three older grandkids. Woo-hoo! By the time they had arrived I had won 350 tickets. They were so excited.

Skye gave me a birthday card that she had signed herself with a picture of me drawn on the back. Thunder gave me a cave that Batman hides in (I slipped it back into his mom's purse when the party was over) and Sunny gave me a yellow #2 pencil (un-sharpened) a Hello Kitty ring, and a dime. Awww, what great gifts that hey all picked out themselves!

Jessica baked my favorite - Angel Food Cake. We had a marvelous time!

I still have several freebie and discount email "gifts" that have arrived this month. So far, the only one we've used is the free burger at Red Robin. I have the rest of them stacked up and ready to use this week.

All in all, 59 is fantastic!

Thanking Skye for her flattering drawing of me

Sunny, Skye, Storm, Thunder 

Helping me blow out the candles

Storm wants to play with Thunder, he knows those slots mean something!

Gramps and Sunny winning a race

Skye "letting" Daddy win

Thunder and Skye

Sunny and Storm

Me with three out of my four babies,

I miss you, JD!