When Chelsea is Bored....She's Pretty Stinkin' Cute!

Chelsea misses work....

desperately!

In fact as of this morning she let me know that 

there are just 20 days until she returns.

After she stood and stared at me 

for a few minutes

as if waiting for me to begin 

doing circus tricks or come up 

with some other fun 

plans to fill this day
I decided to ask her a question.

One designed to send her on a 

research project.  

I figured she would know the answer to 

this question....even though I wasn't sure 

of the answer myself.

She didn't.

The question?

What language do they speak in Thailand?

I figured she would decide to learn a few phrases.

It has never taken much encouragement to 

get Chelsea to study this or that.

She's a natural student.

However

since she didn't know the answer

this is what she found out.....
and sent to my inbox.

***********



Wait for it..........






******************

Now you know...

and so do we!!

Very important since she'll be spending two

months in this beautiful country

later this year.

One Reason I've been MIA

I've been hard at work doing an overhaul of my 

candle labels.

It may seem like a small thing...

but it is not.

If you

go here and read this post

you'll see a peek into what is involved 

in making this change.

It is slowing me down in many ways

but the benefits definitely outweigh the 

frustrations of the delay.

Can't wait to see if it improves

sales for my retail shops.

Hoping that the new labels are more 

attention getting with their brighter 

colors and crisper 

photos.

Please Pop Over......

.....to Susanna's blog for some really fun news 

and great photos of Katie.

Watching this sweet girl grow and thrive has

been a wonderful gift over this past year.

It is like watching a miracle

unfold right in front of our eyes.

I was going to say more

but really 

the photos over there say it all.

Ponderings......

There are eyes looking at me.

Big brown puppy dog eyes.

Bandit wants attention.

A scritch.

A scratch.

Ahhhh....she knows the drill.

Keys are tapping, tapping and she gives up.

Over to the afghan covered blue chair.

The softness of the crocheted yarn will have to 

take the place of my attention for now.

It feels cold on my part.

To ignore her so.

Not giving in.

However, 

Bandit would let me pet and scratch her

all day every day.

She'd pretty much demand it if she could.

Now that I think of it, 

if I had someone at my disposal 24 -7

to give me a back rub I might just 

get to liking that too.

Another dog has snuggled up close.

Back turned to me for easy access.

Feel free to pet me she says.

I'm pretty well ignoring her too.

But the warmth of her body is pretty welcome 

on this blustery morning.

She lays down.

Settling in for a nap.

The bummer for her is that I have to get up 

in just a moment.

Time to get dressed.

Time to walk......

out there in that cold, cold air.

Now do you see why I haven't been posting.

I have nothing to say.

Well, nothing that anyone really wants to read

anyway.

We found a very, very funny birthday card this week.

I can't share it....

Apparently more than half of America

wouldn't find it amusing.

The biggest excitement here right now is

that I have made my candle labels waterproof!

Woot.

I really hope that doesn't rock your world.

Hoping you have more on your excitement meter than I do.

Chelsea continues to prepare to leave in July.

Items continue to be checked off her list.

Jonathan continues to work as a security guard at 

our favorite theater.

Mikey has been cleaning and counting light fixtures

by the hundreds(?) during changeover from Jonah 

to Noah.  

He is ready for Noah to begin so he can go back to 

doing what he loves....

moving sets here and there multiple times a day.

Warren is beginning to feel the pressure of 

changeover and a new show in the works.

I'm pretty sure he enjoys it.

Our van is at the garage for a major 

repair.  One that originally was supposed to 

cost more than $3,400.  

Gulp!

But now has been brought down to 

around $800.

I would have gulped at that if we hadn't heard 

the larger number first.

Perspective!

I'm slowly chipping away at my many projects

and cleaning this much neglected house.

I'm developing strategies for the best use of space

when I move my shop downstairs.

Neither Warren or I are willing to just throw 

stuff down there and call it done.

It means too much.

This must be done with much thought and care.

Georgia has had her second cataract surgery.

It went well.

We are collectively breathing a sigh of relief

to have these procedures in the rear view mirror.

Mom is enjoying her time between 

shows at the theater.

She loves working but she also enjoys

opportunities to see family and friends

who live in other states when she gets the mandatory time off.

Coming up next week we will begin 

a neighborhood game night. 

I'm looking forward to time with some

old neighbors and some new ones too.

Life continues to click down the track....

the clicks come faster and faster.

Have you noticed?

Perhaps it was driven home this week when 

a very good friend lost her father suddenly.

Angel has joined the group that no one really wants to join.

Those who have said good-bye to their daddies.

It happens.

We know.

But it is a place that you really can't understand

unless and until you have walked the road.

My heart breaks for the pain and sadness 

still ahead of her.

I rejoice with her for their closeness

and for all of the memories she has to enjoy.

If you have not yet joined this club.....

reach out and tell your dad how much he means to you.

Maybe words aren't your way....

but make him his favorite treat

or wrap him up in a bear hug.

The train is clearly clicking on the track

and you don't want to regret a moment

of missed opportunity.

A Delightfully Beautiful Day

So, you see the new header?

It shows snow.

We don't have any.

Nope.

It is in the 50's today and is 

supposed to get to 60 degrees Fahrenheit tomorrow.

So....in celebration of this delightfully warm weather

I am going to post some of my favorite summer photos.

We will have cold and snowy days again soon.

But in the meantime I am very thankful for

the beauty of this day.

It has been a bit of a challenging week with our 

vehicles.  Each one in its own way.....

but God is good and we are just fine.

We give thanks for the protection on a friend

who was in a horrible accident this week when she 

was rear ended and shoved into the opposing lane

where she was hit again and pushed off the road.

I looked at her yesterday and had to just praise our 

Heavenly Father for sparing her from worse injuries

than the severe bruises and whiplash she 

is currently recovering from.

I am praying today as our friend, Susanna, returns

from Eastern Europe where she spent time with Tommy.

She did not have a lot of time to blog but 

seeing the short video she was able to post and 

the few other photos show a much better situation 

than she found on her last visit.

This week also brought the opportunity to attend

the funeral of a neighbor's mother.

Judy has been such a great friend to us and our Chelsea.

It meant a lot to be able to be with her during 

this special service.

It was the kind of service that made you really 

wish you had known the person being remembered.

While I had met Judy's mom I didn't know her.

I regret that.

What a lovely lady I missed knowing.

I'm so glad that Ellen, Logan and I were able to 

go and that Georgia was willing to loan us 

her car for the lengthy drive to the funeral.

In a week or so I think we will have all of the 

vehicles functioning at a pretty good level again.

Chelsea's is o.k. now that it has been inspected.

Warren's Miata seems fine.

But the Buick and our Van are both wonky 

.....at once.  

Warren is taking care of the Buick's biggest issues today.

We think.

Anyway....

In the big scheme of things we are doing great!

I made a resolution this year to 

be a better 

friend.

It is way too easy to see the daily stuff as 

so important that we are just too busy 

to step out there and invite a friend to coffee...

or drive a ways to a funeral...

or send a little note that just reminds someone that 

you are thinking of them.

I am attempting to be purposeful in being

in touch with those who have meant 

so much to me over the years.

Whether it is YOU....

our Moms...

my daughter....

my extended family whom Facebook has reunited...

friends at church....

the Barrista with the gruff exterior at our 

local St*rbucks....

or 

a lonely stranger that God places 

in my path.

I want to be His hands and feet.

To share His love.

To fellowship.

To pray.

To laugh.

May He help me

this year

to be

that kind of a friend.

Photo Uploading Issues

Hey There....
Can anyone tell me why I can no longer upload photos from my files? 
This is putting a crimp in my bloggy style.
For real.
Update:

Google Chrome did the trick! 

Thanks!

Psalms of Praises

 

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.

 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. 
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Psalm 96:4-13 (NIV)

 

Don't you just love when a songwriter uses scripture

as the foundation of their song so that as it comes

to mind you realize you are singing

Holy words?

 

I do!

 

This morning I noticed the words that I've highlighted in

blue and immediately a song started running

through my head.

 

http://www.youtube.com/embed/BmuTYWJWSS8

 

What a joyful way to begin a day!

Getting in Deeper...Literally

 

It is January.

 

Unofficially I am continuing the candle business.

It is unofficial because Warren and I have yet to sit

down and have that LONG discussion about whether

this is continuing or not.

However,

short chats have led to an agreement to

try some changes......

Big changes that have to happen to make it work.

 

One of the biggest is that I'll be moving my

workspace to the room that Mikey used to occupy.

 

He's been moved out several months now and gives no

hint of wanting to come back.

He is in a very good place with very nice roomates.

We are happy for him and are always thrilled

when he pops in whether for a few minutes

or for a day or two.

Of course the rest of the family gets to see

him at work.

Made easier since they all work at the same

theater.

 

I haven't heard any more from the salon owner about the

space she may be offering me.

However, the more I think about leaving the house

to work the less I like the idea.

That's not to say that it still may not happen

but I think I really want to give this new

arrangement a real chance first.

 

I say I'm getting in deeper because his room

is in our lower level

right next to Warren's

"man cave".

 

I'm going to get buff carrying the boxes

up and down the stairs.

Seriously, buff.

*grin*

The soy boxes themselves are

50 pounds.

Yep, I'm going to get into

shape...if it doesn't kill me.

 

In the meantime the creative juices have been flowing

and I've been creating both mentally and literally.

 

For this month's feature fragrance

 I created a new fragrance that Chelsea

has been after me to make for quite some time.

Peppermint Mocha.

Yum!

 

I continue to experiment with palm wax, wood wicks

and cotton wicks.

Today I found some adorable containers to make up

goodies for weddings and Valentine's Day.

 

Oh Joy!

I'm having fun again.

 

As you may have seen in an earlier post

I'll be offering soap made by

some friends with soapmaking experience

and I'm looking into making

coordinating lotions.

 

Lots going on here!

 

Thanks to all of my dear friends and readers

who have been so supportive.

I've got a temporary reprieve.

I'll try to make good on it.

Two things have to happen:

 

First....I have to turn a profit.

Secondly,

I have to make our house a home once again.

 

That will be so wonderful!

 

We had a Ball

There is something broken with my Bloggy self.

I went to a fun New Years/Birthday Party last night

and did not take the camera!

 

Oh dear!

 

Sadly, Warren and several others had their cameras and

captured much silliness.

 

The event was actually a birthday party for our dear

friend Lindsay Rabe from Creekside Cottage.

She turns 21 today.

Conveniently it happened that we could celebrate

the New Year's arrival at the same time.

 

We had a ball.

Literally.

 

An English Country Ball.

 

Some danced every dance

while some of us

did just one or two.

 

I chose to do one

but it went on forever since

the music had been tampered with

to extend the "fun".

 

Well, it was funny to see everyone's faces

as the song began again and again.

 

Mikey came to the party and was

cracking all of us up with his

shenanigans.

He is such the middle child.

 

I am going to try to be a better

blogger this year.

It's so hard with all of the time I

have to spend promoting my Etsy shop

that I tend to want to be off the computer when

I'm not busy with that but I do miss

seeing what everyone is up to and the fun

of planning, shooting and posting

deliberate posts.

 

I have a major project coming up that I

intend to document and share.

Very exciting....

to me, anyway.

 

Today I will make pork and saurkraut

to get this New Year off on the right foot.

Tradition!

 

We plan to see a movie

and probably head to bed early to make up

for the missed sleep from last night.

It was after 2am when we finally headed to bed.

Most years I work hard

just to make it to the ball drop

and then head straight to bed.

 

But, this year held new adventures.

Some I am sure to regret.

Maybe as soon as Sunday morning if certain

people decide to share their video.

 

Happy Birthday, Lindsay.

Thanks for the fun.