Bye Luisa!

 Luisa is our RV.  

We bought her early 2021, and set out June 1st 2021.  We had no idea what this journey would do to us, but oh man!  It was something else!

We spent the last year and a half traveling in her.  She did so well too!!  We went up and down California. Then we went East to Texas.  We had a wonderful time spending it with family over in Central Texas, East Texas and even North Texas.  But alas, all good things must come to an end...and space was needed!!

After looking for a very long time, we found a place we felt like was a good fit for our family and for Dan.  He accepted job in Running Springs at a camp called Pali Institute.  It seems to be a good fit for him and we like the area.  We are renting a house in Lake Arrowhead and are enjoying the space we have for now.  

Please come and visit if your in the area or need a vacation!  I LOVE company!

The Journey

2017

It's a journey.  Basically life.  When you realize this and actually let it sink in, life gets a bit easier.  Somewhere in life we get the idea it should be a destination, so then our goals start kicking in to reach that next milestone, so we can say we did it.  After the milestones, we feel a sense of accomplishment. Granted, maybe applause is warranted, however, we then head off into the wild yonder to acheive the next. 

Did we stop to enjoy?

Did we ask the importance of the current task?

Did we give breath to our circumstances?

It has taken me some time to understand this idea, but yet at the same time, I still don't fully have a grasp on it.  Experiencing life is part of the joy, no, not all the time, but some of the time.   Some of us have to look harder than others to find it, but it's there. 

I am learning to do things with my children, not just for them.  A plate of food made together.  A seed planted by tiny fingers after i created a hole.  The blessing of these little people in my life.  Grubby little fingers taking my peanut m & m's.  As I leave the room, I smile because I would want to do the same.

How do you experience life?

Where has your journey taken you this week or month.  Location isn't the journey, the journey is what you are learning along the way.  Location may be a part of that, but just a part, not the whole.  Who is experiening the journey with you?

Spiced Up by ASH

A little peek into my last couple of years...

So for a while now, I have been trying to figure out what it is like to home school my children and have some sort of something for myself.  For some moms it can be their work outside of the home, a hobby, or a number of activities a woman finds important to her.  For me...it has been a struggle!

I love doing STUFF!!!!  Nothing specific, but all my life I was self taught in a lot of areas, and always active and involved in whatever I believed was important.  So back to my struggle, I believe home school for me personally is important and I am putting everything I have into this way of life, however, my complaints to others over the last couple of years would speak differently.

I realized I needed something ME!  I love to sew and create, but making ten of one thing does not interest me.  If I create, each item is almost always different.  I was told by many I should sell the items I make or sew, but to be honest it is a lot of work to make one dress in several sizes and again, it doesn't interest me.  Plus I usually tailored clothing to the one wearing the item. 

In came Etsy and the realization I could do exactly what I love.  Make different items in different ways and sizes and not be limited in my creativity.  So this is mine!  Something I can do that inspires me and challenges me in different ways.

Do I need more challenges?????  Actually YES!!!  You would think teaching my children at home, staying at home with them all day in addition to the other things I do would be enough, but even though my strength is teaching, this is a must challenge.  I define must challenge as something I must do, but do find it challenging and encouraging at times.  Teaching my children is a slow process...process is important, but long.  I enjoy creating, because I can determine the length of process required each time. Plus I love taking something rough and making it beautiful!

I enjoy finding old pieces of fabric or clothes and Spicing it Up and creating something beautiful or unique.  I'm in love with endless possibilities. I love vintage items, but are sad they are put in a corner and not used.  So I find them and give them to someone intent on using the item and enjoying it. 

My hope is to continue to write my stories of good finds, and creative pieces I have made in addition to this crazy lovely life I call mine.  So join me by subscribing to this blog and visiting my at my Etsy store in addition to my Facebook Page.

Thank you!

Chicks in shed!!!

So after a very stinky back room, I decided to move those little stinky butts to the shed.  They seem to be doing well and even though it isn't heated, they seem to be content.  However...

Chicks Seem Happy!!

So we did it, the chicks are in their coop and everyone seems happy!  It is so neat to see them perching on their bamboo sticks and just waddling around in their coop.  It was with blood sweat and yes...tears too, but Dan finished it up and now we just need to clean up the mess we made and it will be nice and neat.  Here are some photos of the slightly shabby without chic chicken coop.

I quit...or...I made a better choice.

So my hubby started work on this chicken coop and I have been so excited about getting these poor little chicks into their home.  However, he had to leave for a week long trip and wasn't able to finish it before he left.  So I thought I would take the time to get it done.  Why not?  Just because I am a woman doesn't mean I can't do it.  Well...

St. Patrick's Day!

Leprechaun's, rainbows, Ireland, and Beer???  Basically I grew up not really celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  St Patrick's Day came and went, it was the "holiday" gearing up for Easter.  There wasn't even a full isle of decorations at the craft store.  So I never did much for it.  Garland for Christmas, eggs for Easter, and turkey's for Thanksgiving, but not much for St. Patrick's Day.  Then some friends mentioned it is actually celebrated for a missionary, St. Patrick.  Go figure, there really is a reason behind these holidays.  Now, I don't know the story yet, but this month my kids and I are going to search out this St. Patrick and take a look at Ireland and do a little study about these things.  Oh...don't forget the rainbow!  Maybe just one sip or two of beer with hubby.  Wink, wink!