One Word 2020

My one word for 2019 was resolute. I have to say that I think I did a pretty good job of staying resolute over the year. I'm surprised at the effect that word had on my dealing with the challenges and opportunities that life throws our way.

So, time to pick a new word. I'm choosing steadfast for my one word in 2020. It's not a word that leaps to mind very often, but I think it's a good word to follow resolute. As you can see, resolute is featured in the definition of steadfast.

To me resolute sounds more assertive and deliberate, where steadfast sounds like a habit to be developed. That's just my opinion.

Anyway, hopefully my venture into resolute-ness has led me to me more steadfast! haha

stead·fast

/ˈstedˌfast/

Learn to pronounce

adjective

adjective: steadfast

1. resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

   "steadfast loyalty"

   Similar:

   loyal

   faithful

   committed

   devoted

   dedicated

   dependable

Blog Changes

Some idiot hacker has been leaving comments on my blog today. It is so frustrating and irritating when people like that try to take over something that is not theirs.

To that end I'm going to have to moderate comments. I'm sorry to have to make this change, but I don't know of any other way to stop this person.

Thanks for being understanding!

Merry Christmas!

2019 Stockings

As you know if you've been reading my blog for a while, I love to make Christmas stockings for my family. I always stitch two stockings for each family member, one for my house and one for their house. Although I love to stitch the stockings, I'm a terrible procrastinator when it comes to assembling them. I sew them by hand and it is a tedious process (at least for me). Each stocking takes me three to four months to stitch.

Here's a peek at the stockings I completed this year:

I am stocking-ed out for this year, but will take up needle and floss after Christmas to work on the three I need to stitch for next Christmas.

December 1st

Oops, I'm a day late and I just noticed I skipped November all together. Hope I do better next year!

Happy Halloween

Yee-Haw!

It is Spirit Week at Storm's school and today is Wild West day. He definitely looks the part!

It's Time For Hallmark Christmas Movies!

Check out my Christmas blog for the schedule of 40 original movies being aired on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mysteries & Movies channel beginning on Friday, October 25th.

It's the Little Things in Life...

... like having the under sink area in
the kitchen organized!

I recently decided to use some refrigerator organizers for under the sink stuff. I'm very pleased with the result! Now if we can just keep it this way...

Having fun!

Oh my. I don't know where the time goes. Every day is packed, but I can't really tell you what it's packed with. It just seems like it's go, go, go around here!

On Wednesday, Gracie and I met up for lunch. We hadn't seen each other since the late Spring so we had a lot to catch up on. It's such fun to have a face-to-face relationship with a fellow blogger!

On Monday and Tuesday Storm was here for Fall Break. And then as an added gift, he was also here for a few hours on Wednesday and Thursday. I was not expecting the extra time with him; what a nice surprise! I didn't take any pictures, but here's a photo of him from Career Day at his kindergarten class. Doesn't he make a good looking police officer?!

That's one of the things I enjoy most about the grandkids: what they want to be when they grow up. Of course, it changes constantly. That's what makes it so fun!

Next week I have Sunny and Thunder for Fall Break. We plan to make Grinch Fudge, go bowling, and have a play date with friends.

This just goes to show you how distracted I am. I keep getting emails about holiday sales and 3-day weekend events. I just realized that this weekend is Columbus Day! Haha... Good thing I have various Christmas countdowns on my phone, computer, etc. Otherwise I might miss it. (Actually there's zero chance of that happening)

October 1st

It's Autumn!

At last! It's Autumn...
And for once the weather here in the Phoenix area is cooperating. Most years on this date we're looking forward to about 30 more days of 100+ temps. But this year all signs point to temps in the 90s and (dare I say it?) maybe the 80s. I plan to enjoy every moment of it so that next year, when things are probably back to normal, I have some good memories to enjoy! haha

Happy Labor Day

September 1st

Actually, I don't want to restart summer. It is still very warm here (around 108-110 every day) and our Monsoon has been a big bust. So I'm ready for Autumn. Bring it on!

Christmas Music

Yes, I admit it. I am a Christmas fanatic. You already know this if you've read my blog for any length of time. I try to limit it for this blog by unleashing most of my obsession on my Christmas blog.

I'm thrilled that Hobby Lobby, At Home, Sam's Club and a few other stores have started seriously stocking Christmas merchandise. It both amuses me and irritates me when walking through a store and hearing "O my gosh, Christmas stuff? It's still 110 out (or not Labor Day or... you get the picture), You may even be a person who feels that way. I respect that. I'm not going to try to convert you to Christmas Craziness 365. All I ask is that you not look down on me, hahaha!

I have a Stress-free Christmas system that I've been perfecting for (gulp) 24 years. I tweak it when necessary due to family growth, age of grandkids, change in interests of family members; but it's basically the same foundation each year. I am finished with Christmas prep by Thanksgiving each year and occasionally by Halloween. I love having a stress-free December. Especially now that I have seven grands who are participating in various Christmas activities.

Which leads me to today. I have an ambitious plan for Family Christmas this year. My son and his family from Kansas will be with us this year so my little family of 16 will be all together. Plus I'm planning a family game night which will included our extended family for a total of 26.

This does not just happen. It takes planning.

Even though I have a budget for Christmas gifts, with that many people the number of presents under the tree has exploded. My daughter Katie showed me an idea a few years ago that I'm attempting for this year.  I think I can make it work. I hope.

I'm making snowmen. The bottom box will hold the gifts. The middle box will hold the stocking stuffers. the head will hold the ornament. I'm collecting twigs/sticks to attach to the front of each snowman which will hold their stocking. (that's why the stocking suffers will go in a box, the sticks will not be able to hold the weight). The snowmen will be different sizes and shapes. For the people who desire cash or gift cards, I found a tip for using tie boxes and making flat snowmen out of them. This will take up much less room than a mountain of gifts under and around the tree.

I'm very excited and motivated!

I have one box completed for one grandchild... only 47 boxes to go!

That's why I'm listening to Christmas music today. I'm working on my project and enjoy the inspiration of the music.

And don't even get me started on what I have planned for the Family Game Night... that's for another post!

Grandkids

When you have grandkids, especially a lot of them, you learn to lower your expectations when it comes to taking photos. There's always someone not looking at the camera or on the verge of crying or caught with their eyes closed or half open. I have come to accept these conditions and cherish the photos anyway. After all, these are the faces of my most cherished treasure!

August 1st

Faith Shared: Jeremiah 29:13

Faith Shared: Isaiah 46:4

July 1st

Faith Shared: Matthew 28:20

Faith Shared: Galatians 6:9-10

Faith Shared: Deuteronomy 3:16

June 1st

Oops, I'm late! It's already June 3rd and I'm just now welcoming the month. 

I've been preoccupied; Grammy Summer Camp started last week, we had a birthday party on Saturday, we're moving the office in our house from one room to another; not good excuses, just explanations.

June is an awesome month here in Arizona. At least in the beginning. It usually warms into the low to mid 100s, the pool water warms up enough for me to watch the kids swim without shivering, the days are sunny and we can sometimes still open up the house when we go to bed at night.

The last part of June is not so pleasant. The last week in June is typically the hottest week of the year with temps soaring to 115+ and occasionally to 120+. There is no way around it, those temps are HOT! But we have to have those hot temps to draw the monsoon up from Mexico so I just keep telling myself that rain will (maybe) be coming in a few weeks.

Faith Shared: Ephesians 3:16-19

Pre-school Graduate!

Storm "graduated" from Pre-school last night. It was a fun program featuring four songs, lots of waves and smiles, and of course, the receiving of the diplomas.

Storm has been to Kindergarten Showcase and is eager to get started in the Fall. Well, Fall is a subjective term... Kinder starts for him on July 31st! 

As you can tell, little sister Snow was not impressed with the gravity of the event. She was, however, very willing to participate in eating the cupcakes decorated in the school colors.

Gramps and I are so proud of you, Storm! You are an awesome boy and we're eager to share your Kinder adventures. We love you...

Happy Mother's Day!

The Grands

Life is so fun, joyful, exciting, and adventurous with the Grands!

Here's some of what's been going on lately...

Snow fell off the bed over the weekend... Twice!

Jessica said after the 2nd time she got her sleeping bag and took it into the loft to sleep. Good plan.

It's raining this morning. Phoenix area kids rarely have the opportunity to use umbrellas so Snow and Storm deployed theirs for the walk from the car to the school!

Sunny is in 4th grade and you know what that means: Science Fair!

It's hard to believe the school year is almost over. I'm looking forward to Grammy Summer Camp in a few weeks. More time with these lovable kiddos!

Faith Shared: Philippians 2:3-4

May 1st

There's just something about the month of May...

Here in Surprise AZ, May is the month when warm (90-105 degrees) rules and hot (105-115+) creeps in.

It's also a month with a flurry of end-of-year school activities for the Grands.

May is the last month for outdoor projects before it gets too hot.

Open doors and windows are the norm at my house in May.

It's the month I get serious about planning for Christmas. (Yes, I'm one of THOSE people).

It's the start of Birthday season for my four kids and Dan and I.

May... one of my favorites!

Take Me Out...

Take me out to the ballgame...

Dan is a huge San Diego Padres Fan. You would think that we would attend their games regularly as they have Spring Training in Peoria, AZ and come to play the Diamondbacks at least twice a year, but no, we rarely get to go. We just don't make time for it, to tell the truth.

But earlier this month, Dan took Adam, Thunder and Storm to the game. They sat in the left field bleachers right next to the Dbacks bullpen.

There were several home runs hit all around them, but they didn't catch any. One was five seats away! It was Storm's first MLB game and he had a blast! Actually, his experience was double the fun because he and Adam rode the light rail to the game.

What a fun time for all!

The Kansas Grands

I thought you might enjoy seeing the Kansas grandkids. I know I would!

I miss them so much and sometimes get bogged down in feeling sorry for myself that I'm not a day to day part of their lives. But, then I remember to be thankful that at least I live in an age of cell phones and Skype and can build a relationship with them that way. I love you Blizzard and Winter!

Faith Shared: Matthew 28:6

He is not here; he is risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:6

Happy Easter!

Finally... a Photo!

My daughter, Jessica, teaches at a local high school. She found out a few weeks ago that there is a Needle Arts Club on campus. They are looking for donations of all sorts of materials for all needle arts.

Hurrah! I went through my stash and donated Christmas fabric, cross stitch fabric, hoops, patterns, etc. I'm so excited that there are enough young people interested in needle arts to warrant a club.

Fast forward to lunch with Gracie. I happened to mention the club and the need for donations and Gracie embraced the cause with enthusiasm!

Dan and I ran over to her house this weekend to pick up her huge donation of a sewing machine, fabrics, patterns, threads and more. Thank you so much Gracie!

All of that to say this... we remembered to take a photo... Tada!

We snapped this photo in front of her craft area, which is awesome. It was such fun to see her home and recognize many of the items she has posted about over the years. The banner she made before and during Dennis' hospital stay is beautiful. I found that she collects thimbles (so do I) and teapots (so do I) and her garden is lush and relaxing.

Thanks again for your hospitality, Gracie!

Faith Shared: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Faith Shared: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Lunch With Gracie

As usual, I forgot to take a photo when I was at lunch with our blog friend Gracie yesterday. I think of it as I'm driving to meet her. Then I get so caught up in the pleasure of her company and our conversation that I totally forget. Then I think of it as I'm driving home.

It's been a long time since I had the opportunity to meet up with her. I'm not even going to say how long because I'm embarrassed that my life is so out of control, but it's been a long time. Fortunately, Gracie is the type of friend that you can just take up with where you left off no matter how much time has passed!

If you don't know Gracie, be sure to check out her blog. She is delightful and I treasure our time together.

I don't, however, make any attempt to guess how long it will be until we meet again! hahaha

April 1st

Faith Shared: 2 Timothy 1:7

Faith Shared: Romans 12:1-2

Faith Shared: Psalm 1:1-3

Thursday - Time to Laugh!

I saw these on Pinterest and laughed out loud! 

What a clever idea to go with an Ugly Christmas sweater.