My wish for you in 2009...

I wish you all Happy New Year! I hope that 2009 is a better year. We have had a pretty rough year in 2008 and we could use some less stressful times come this new year. We had lost loved ones and dear friends. We had health issues, surgeries and recoveries. We lost a job. We watched friends struggle with health, loss and hard times.

We are thankful for all the love and support from family and friends. Because of that, we make it through those tough times. Thank you to you all for wonderful laughs, good times and standing by us in the hard times. We love you all!

One of my favorite songs is My Wish by Rascal Flatts. Here are the lyrics and this is my wish for you in 2009...


I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

Happy New Year and huge hugs to you all.
Laura (And Tom and Lucas and Jake...)

a sewing good day!

Well, with the weather delaying our family get together for Christmas, I found some extra time to make my Christmas gifts. I got to sewing today and ventured out for my first solo quilting projects. Angie and Vicki (aka quilting coaches and overall enablers) have got me hooked on this and now I can't wait to get working on the coordinating throw.


These are a couple pillows that I made today. I am not too good with the top stitching yet so I added some buttons to help cover the messups... But I think they turned out pretty cool. I added the batting under the front so it is a little softer and then the backs of the pillows are a light suede like material. Gees - when I cleaned out my pantry.... I found two bags and two huge rubbermaid tubs full of fabric!!!! Must of been a closet quilter all this time... But this material was just a scrap left from something and was just enough to be the backs of the pillows.

But now it is time to check in on my facebook and maybe call it a night...
Til next time...
Laura

Merry Christmas!

I hope that you all are having a wonderful Christmas day. We are still under snow and iffy weather so we have postponed family get together til things are cleared off and a little safer for travel.

So last night we went to a candlelight service. I haven't been to church in so long and Tom has been wanting to check them out again and see about attending again. I didn't want him to go alone and thought this would be something all of us could do and get into the spirit of Christmas a little bit... It was nice. Lots of carols and singing. May not be a good fit for us though as far as a church - was a little too "something" for us...

Anyway, today, we are just hanging out at home. The boys are playing with their new games for the Wii and I am baking a pie! Oh my - haven't made a pie in so long.... We will see if it comes out edible. Gifts were on a small scale this year. With Tom out of work for so long this year, we just really scaled back on the spending. The boys said they didn't believe in Santa anymore so he did not come. Think they were still happy with what they got though. The boys got me a tea pot and they made Tom a little storage cabinet for out in his shop. Tom built me a large planter box for across under my window to my scrap room. I can't wait til spring when I can plant it full of flowers. I didn't even get Tom anything. He kept changing his mind on what he wanted so I told him to just go ahead and buy something and put my name on it... :)

But it has been a good day so far. We are going to escape for awhile though and go to a movie later this afternoon. I am going stir crazy with being home for the past week and a half!!!


Also, need to send out a huge Happy Birthday to my buddy, Paris! I met Paris through an online scrapbooking group. Over the past couple of years, our friendship has gotten closer as she referred me for the position at Hot Off the Press while she was going to gone traveling with her family as her husband was on sabaticle from work. Over two years later, I never would of thought that I would still be there and she would be off working her own business. But Paris inspires me - she is the Martha Dukes in my life and that dares me to try new recipes and do more cooking than just eating out all the time. Thank you for your friendship, Paris. I hope that you are having a wonderful birthday!

Well, pie is out of the oven and time to go to the movies! So I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy the day with family and friends.

Laura

snow, snow and more snow, then ice and now more snow....

Well, it has been a week of winter weather around here. The boys were not supposed to be out of school til this week for the break, but they had all of last week off.... Looks like the break will be three weeks! Will I make it???

Anyway, Lucas built a snowduck one day. When I was taking the picture, Lucas said - wait, I think he blinked....

It was snow, then melt, then snow, then melt, then more snow and more snow and more snow - a total of 9 inches yesterday on the ground. Then last night started with freezing rain. So then we had ice covered snow. They boys tried to snowboard on the slight slope of the front yard... They got going for about 4 feet and then they were out of yard.

Lucas shoveled out around the trucks a bit today. Jake and I tried to clear off the deck and a little pathway to the garage. By the time we were to the side of the house, it started snowing again and what we had shoveled off the deck was on it's way to another covering of snow..

Tom said tonight that we are expecting a lot more over the week... I have been in this house all week! I was out for a bit friday afternoon for some emergency Christmas shopping but that is it... I love to be home when I have the choice...

Anyway, so I have been passing the time baking. Banana bread, gingersnaps, and tonight a chocolate cake... Not at all anything we need to have around but it has been nice to have some treats...

Well, other than snow - not much to report here. Keep your fingers crossed we all survive. Cabin fever is a terrible thing!

Til next time...
Laura

let it snow!

The weathermen were actually right! They predicted snow for tonight and we are actually getting it today. Ok, they weren't completely right...

But the boys have been having a blast. They have been outside since the first flakes started to fall this morning. I have had to call them in a couple of times though to warm up and thaw them out a bit.

It is very pretty and I am enjoying watching it fall from inside the cozy house. The wind is making it very cold outside. Good thing Tom doesn't mind driving in this, he can go to the store.

So if you are out in it - be careful. Otherwise, make some hot cocoa and enjoy the beauty.
Laura

actually crossed off a few items on the to-do list today...

One thing on my list today was to finish these cupcakes. Think they turned out pretty cute so thought I would share with you. Then they are filled with chocolates inside...

Been a wild week again. Will have to catch you up on the scouting for food and the lego robotic competition last weekend. We are expecting a big storm this weekend. I have Bunco tonight.... The list goes on. But for now, the tea is ready and I need to meet the girls to carpool to bunco.

So stay warm, have a nice night, and oh - I am so hooked on facebook now... I just can't wait to check it as soon as I get home to see if I have messages. What is this? Am I really this addictive personality??? Ok, don't look in my scrap room or even my dining room table - it is covered with material, batting and a sewing machine...

Anyway, have a wonderful evening and will check in with you again over the weekend.
Laura

Happy Birthday, Cabo!

Angie's puppy, Cabo is the big 1 today.... I think she is pretty cute - Ang might tell you different when telling stories of her chewing up books and making her mark around the house. I just get to see the cute side - well, except the time she chomped on Grandma's thumb because she was caught in her kennel - Cabo, not Grandma... Cabo used to come to work every day with Angie and she would even go to lunch with us. Then of course, it is always a mystery as to what she got into in the car while we were inside. But she really is cute.

Happy birthday, Little Princess.

I have never been an aunt to a dog before - what do you get them for their birthday??? May have to visit PetSmart and see if they have any suggestions. Ever since the meat counter guy was so helpful - I am not afraid to ask anymore when the people in the store ask me if they can help....

So have a great day - mine is full so better get it started.
Laura