Happy Birthday America

It's the 4th of July weekend...I saw several cars on the road this morning loaded with traveling paraphenalia headed for parts unknown. Me, I'm headed to La Grande for the weekend to spend the 4th with my youngins. We'll be grilling, and no doubt spilling; sipping pop and popping fire works; soaking up some rays and getting soaked by the sprays of water balloons and sprinklers. Ahh, the simple pleasures of summer.

Aren't these adorable fire crackers fun? You make them using toilet paper and paper towel rolls, crepe paper and vintage americana photos. The wicks are pipe cleaners, and you fill the tube with surprises. I always find great ideas too late to do anything about...not to mention all of my artsy craftsy stuff is pretty much packed away for now. But I'm thinking I'll still manage to bring some red, white and blue decor to the abode in true junker fashion.

When the moon hits your eye...

...like a big pizza pie, that's amore...

Summer is on full bore, hot, hot, hot! Lexy and I were just talking about how summer is the quintessential American season because all the things that say 'American' are so much a part of summer: baseball, hot dogs (I know, they aren't really American), jumping off a dock into water, parades, lemonade, family reunions, camping...all so American and all so much a part of summer!

Here is what I love about summer:
long hours of daylight
the cool evening hours
ice water
sprinklers
my kids' laughter
crickets chirping
camping
s'mores by a campfire
BBQ's
Fourth of July
no school
sleeping in
BYUI education week
fairs
yardsales

did I mention camping? Especially with my sisters on the fly! So looking forward to Sisters in Sisters in August!

Happy List

Things that make me happy:

Yard Sales
Candles
Magazines
People of quiet courage
Flowers
Cards made by my kids
Helping someone
Losing weight
Kind people
My comfy bed
Laughter
My Vintage Trailer
'Sister' outings
True Friends
Fresh veggies from the garden
HGTV :)

Seeing the Forest for the Trees...

Well yesterday seemed a bit 'poor me', sorry about that. I can see the forest inspite of the trees. I know there are good things waiting out there, that things will work out. I just have to trust in 'the plan' for my life. Is this a mid life thing cause I'm way too old for that twenties angst!
I have been enjoying the outings in my trailer the last couple of weekends. Mother/daughter this last weekend was fun. I enjoyed hanging out with the femme fatales in the family, sitting by the fire, looking at the stars in the clear summer sky, making 'smores...It was nice to get out and enjoy nature with my creations!

Another year under my belt

Well, I wonder if any of you are still checking in to see what's up? I admit, I've been neglectful. I've been on the road a lot, back and forth between work and moving out of the house. Finally got all moved out, but then it's still back and forth to see the kids on weekends. I can't say I am loving my life right now. I don't like being in transit all the time, and I don't like not being a part of the kids' lives every day. I missed the last days of school, all of Max's baseball games so far, Zoey getting her driver's license...All of my stuff is in storage. Waaaaaa. Listen to me whine.
I recently "celebrated" my birthday. The kids were here and that was fun. They made me dinner and cake. The candles were a bit ridiculous. After a certain age one candle as a token should be sufficient. I'm trying to be hopeful and look forward. I have a job that I enjoy in an area I like with new faces and places. Still, it all seems all so unsettled.
Well, it's not being a very cheerful, yea life, kind of entry. I do have much to be thankful for, and am thankful. I just need to get things together and feel like I have a home and family again. Stay tuned.

Teacher Appreciation

Teacher Appreciation is May 3rd through 7th. While perusing my friend Rachel's blog I found these cute ideas for showing appreciation to the teachers in your life.So dang cute and so easy and inexpensive to do!
So show some love to those who spend hours each day guiding your children in their education.
Even I can afford one of these ideas and I am beyond broke!

Welcome!

My life was getting too complicated to document on four blogs. Go figure! So, I decided to condense all that fabulous information to share onto one blog, the olde stone cottage one, at which you have arrived. So Welcome!

Right now I'm desperately on the job hunt and mighty stressed out about it.

All the times before when Jeff has moved out I have had a job, so haven't had to worry about things like homelessness or lack of utilities, etc. I'm having yardsales and Sister Shic sales to get some extra 'bones' as Lexy likes to call money. But still, times are getting desperate.

I have two jobs that I'm waiting to hear on, and if neither of them pans out, yikes! So, it's no wonder I have a permanent knot in my shoulder that hurts and needs several rubs from my chillies (my nickname for my kids) during the day.

The photo on this entry is a reminder to self to enjoy the view and trust that things will work out. Hmmm. OK.