Balancing Act

I've taken some time off to undergo a new medical treatment, then to let my body adjust to that treatment. The last two weeks have been sort of a whirlwind of emotions, from terror to alleviation to disappointment to contentment. And now, as we're wrapping up Migraine & Headache Awareness Month, I'm rapidly approaching my 40th birthday with a sense of relief that maybe, just maybe, my doctors are on the right path. There isn't a cure, but a long-term relief would be greatly welcomed by so many who live every day with chronic pain and the stigma attached to invisible illnesses.

Now that I'm beginning to get my balance back and find my groove yet again, I'm starting to ease back into my workout routine and hoping (if the weather holds out) to get a few mule and donkey rides in before the weekend. If not, I'll gladly accept any sort of peaceful time I can get with my long-eared loves!

I'm also trying to regain my work balance. Some of my freelance opportunities fell by the wayside a bit too long, so those doors have closed. That's often the nature of the freelance beast, so I'm not going to keep banging on those doors. Instead, I'm going to wait patiently for new doors to open up wide to new opportunities. In the meantime, I'll start tackling my to-do list.

• 3 horse blankets to mend
• 2 show vests to cut, sew and rhinestone
• 1 driving dress to alter
• 2 pyrography projects to complete
• 4 woodworking projects to start and finish
• 1 pallet saddle stand to complete
• 1 tack box to start and finish
• 3 paper projects to complete
• and of course, there is always jewelry to be made!

I'd say I have my work cut out for me, except some of those projects aren't even to the cutting stage! Looks like I need to get myself in gear and get to work. If I spent as much time doing it as I spent talking about it, I'd likely be able to get a lot more of it done, don't ya think?!

Sarah Ban Breathnach

Looks like it's time for me to start doing!!!

Happy Daddy Day

Why does it seem like Mother's Day gifts are so easy to come by, but Father's Day often leaves us wondering what to gift to those wonderful men in our lives? Be it a father, husband, brother, grandfather, uncle, family friend...whomever that very special man in your life is, how do you show appreciation on this special day?

There are many special earthly men in my life, but my dad, husband and brother take top billing. I really don't know what I'd do without any of them. Try as I may, I know that I never express how much they mean to me appropriately. I love them all, enjoy their company immensely, laugh when we spend time together and love that we all share a special bond. I count myself fortunate that they also enjoy their "boy time" without feeling awkward around each other.

This year has been quite a year of change for me and my husband and one of the new things that's been added to our time together is his crafting. Yep, I've found a craft that he enjoys quite a bit and actually had to purchase more supplies for him today. The knot master feels right at home making bracelets and keychains out of paracord and is currently watching video after video to learn new knots and embellishments. I love it!

Now the Father's Day gifts I worked on today needed Sharpie markers, a dab of paint and some burlap. Alright, there was more to them than that. I created my designs in Microsoft Publisher as I typically do, because I have wretched handwriting and don't think any freehanding I'd have done would look presentable. In fact, I ruined one canvas putting that theory to the test.

(Censored merely to protect the recipient before he is surprised with his gift on Father's Day)

I fell madly in love with these little two little 8"x6" burlap canvasses that I found at the local department store for under $5.00. They're the perfect size for this type of project, though bigger would work great for other ideas I'm kicking around now. I was really hoping I could transfer my words onto the burlap, but it didn't work with carbon paper or fabric tracing paper, so I measured letters and just went for it. I am very pleased with how both pieces turned out and am anxious to try more projects using burlap!

Happy (early) Father's Day to all and to all a good night!

We All Scream for NO BAKES!

All but one Sunday evening of each month, we meet with our small group for Bible study, fellowship and, of course, snacks. Last week my husband was in charge of snacks and he really knocked it out of the park with a chocolate silk pie and some ice cream bars. This afternoon, though, he is at work and I just sunk deep into my recliner after church wondering what I had the ingredients for already in my kitchen cabinets. It probably goes without saying that the less worked required to create something delicious, the better. This afternoon was really just feeling that way after a busy weekend and all. I kind of wanted to take time to reflect on some things, enjoy the quiet, empty house and just be.

Anyone who knows me really, really well knows that I've fallen in love with the new oatmeal I've been eating. That new-found love, however left me with a surplus of another brand of oatmeal. So, I had one ingredient...oatmeal. And I just bought a fresh 4 pound bag of sugar a few weeks ago, though I have no idea why because I rarely ever use it. This got the old motor cranking. I knew the hubby had at least a small stash of peanut butter, so I set to Google and voila!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups rolled oats

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large saucepan, mix sugar, margarine and milk. Bring to a full, rolling boil over medium heat.
2. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly.
3. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until peanut butter is melted; stir in oats.
4. Working quickly, drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper covered newspaper.

I taste-tested and added the recipe to my recipe box as a keeper. After taking some "me time" this afternoon, I'm also feeling a bit rejuvenated, which is good because I'm off to meet up with friends. Here's praying they're a big hit at our gathering tonight!

Knot Happenin'

All thumbs today, that's me! Here's the entire story. About a year and a half ago, my nephew became infatuated with paracord and was so proficient at making bracelets that I invited him to sell them at my booth during a local horse tack sale. He did quite well, even creating custom designs on the spot. Not bad for an elementary school entrepreneur.

A few months ago my teenage daughter asked if I'd purchase her a little paracord bracelet making kit so she could learn to make them as well. Of course, me being all about crafty things, I bought it for her and watched it collect dust for quite some time. Then one day she sat down, fumbled around with the included instructions until she became so frustrated that she tossed them aside and figured out how to maneuver the paracord on her own. She started making keychains like it had been her job for eons. The very first one she completed was given away as a gift and immediately put to use. Needless to say, I was quite impressed.

This morning I eyeballed her little paracord kit and figured, what the hey, I'll give it a shot. This is what I ended up with.

I kept trying and somehow kept getting worse, if that's even possible. Finally I gave up and threw the whole jumbled up mess at the hubby and said, "here, Master of the Knots", a self-proclaimed title he claimed long, long ago, "you do it!" This is what he managed to accomplish:

They both thought they were going to pep talk me into learning how to make these durable and highly functional little key keepers, until I reminded them that we've all been blessed with different skills for a reason. As long as I have the both of them, I really should encourage them to grow their natural talents, right? But of course! Hey, it kept them otherwise occupied for a little bit today while I focused my work elsewhere. :) Where I live, we call that T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K...or something.

Garage Clean Up

I don't know what garage clean up looks like at your house, but this is what it looks like where I live:

 

  

Poor Utah, the youngest of our two dogs, couldn't catch a break. Dear daughter was left unattended for about 15 minutes with him and I returned to a giggling teenager and a shame-faced puppy. Then she showed me the photographic evidence of what they'd been doing in my absence. My goshness. In Utah's defense, he really doesn't care. He'll take all the attention he can get, fully believing that he's just a ginormous 75-pound lap kitty, and he loves being with his little girl. But wow. 

As a family we managed to find the garage floor, discover numerous yard sale-able items, put out several bags for trash, locate a few long-lost treasures, organize tools and almost have the building ready to receive a long-awaited new garage door. I'd say this Saturday phase-1 project was a success. Of course, it's still a work in progress until the new door is on. But hey, we managed to stay focused on a single goal for one entire day. For this family, that is one major accomplishment!