So much for every day..

Well, ok so posting every day is not a realistic thing for me. But I will try to post more, for sure. Things have been quiet here in the north woods. 32 inches of snow in 3 days sucks, let me tell you. Especially when you dont own a snowblower. Not fun at all. Christmas shopping is almost done. First time for me, but since most gifts need to be mailed out, i dont have a choice but to get done early. My house was decorated Thanksgiving day, only because i knew it would eventually snow and there is nothing fun about being outside in 32 inches of snow trying to put up decorations. Here is the final results, night and day. Of course, this is after some snow and my tree is burried LOL.

Mom sent me a new blog today. Simply adorable!!! Check her out. http://misseskwitty.blogspot.com/

She is in Duluth, which isnt too far from where I live. Well, were off to Wal-Mart to get the last gift we need for hubbys brother. We have tried to be creative with our gift giving this year. Oh, one last thing before I forget. I got an early christmas gift from my mom & gramma. It is my most favorite book to date. It is called Doodle Stitching. If your into hand embroidery and doodling, it is something worth checking out, for sure. Hope you enjoy! Till later.

Quick ramblings

I find one of the hardest things to do is title my blogs. Sometimes I dont really have anything exciting to say. This seems to be one of those times. Today sucked. I dont know why, but I have been napping all day. My phone isnt working properly. It is in the low 30's outside and for me, that is just too cold. Its a pain to get all bundled up when you have one functioning arm to do things with. We have been trying to get some shopping done online since we live in such a small town and our local shopping choices are Kmart and Fashion Bug. Early next year we are getting a huge new Walmart which I will be happy for. At least it is some change. So today I sit nibbling some BBQ chips and drinking hot cocoa. Odd combo. ANd watch bad movies on TV LOL.

It's getting cold out there

Well, we havge had our first official snowfall and today was opening day for deer hunting with guns here in the UP. Im always a little sad to see the fall go. I love the changing of colors and the cool air, the smell of fireplaces and wood burning heaters. The fall festivles, and the oncomming of the holiday season. The past couple years I have felt a little scroogish. This year though I have committed myself to celebrate each Holiday with gusto. Since it is just my husband and myself this year, im planning our Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, we wont be eating till the day after, as he has to work Thanksgiving Day. We are both CNA's and you know, nursing homes dont close. But my family has always worked around work schedules. Its not the day itself that is special, it is how you celebrate it. So the day after Thanksgiving we will be putting up our tree. I would do it now, but I still have much cleaning to do before I can so I will spend the next week prepping the house. Putting things away and such. Usually I just decorate around what I already have up. This year though Im going to go nuts. Everything is comming down, getting cleaned and put away. Then everything going up will be Christmas themed.





Last year I got an AWESOME deal on a huge plastic storage tote FILLED with shiny brites! I know that without the boxes they are worth less, but they are gorgeous. I paid $10 for all of them plus the plastic storage tote.

Then at a rummage sale, i got the coolest bag full of old ornaments. for $1 See?!?

Most of them are vintage and glass. Some are plastic and a couple are old covered in german glass. It doesnt matter much what they are worth. I love them. So as my Christmas decorating progresses, I will make sure to post updated pics.

A new start

Rose Benner 1908-2007

First before I get into my new life of blogging, I want to say a little something about the wonderful lady in the picture above. That is my 99 year old Great Grandmother Rose.
We lost her just over a week ago. The end came kinds fast. Pneumonia put her in a nursing home where she was less than a month. Before that, my wonderfully dedicated family took care of her. Everyone put off their own needs for this wonderful little lady. She did the same for all of us though when we were growing up. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother and a great great grandmother. WE were lucky to have her for 5 generations of family members. Not enough can ever be said about this great wonderful little gal. And then again, all I can bring myself to say is Thank You. For being. For loving. For giving. For putting up with us. For accepting us. For being our Great Gramma Rose.

Now...on to the next thing.
Blogging has been a challange for me. Perhaps I just think what I have to say wont interest anyone, I dont know.
I have decided to let all that aside. I am beginning my New Years Resolutions early this year. One is this...blogging. It seems sort of silly, but it is a step. I have spent the last few years finding the real me. Finding my strengths. Working on my weaknesses. Making a life. Getting Married. Having a career (though at this juncture, I am not happy with my choice of careers). Like I said, it is just one thing im working on. Finishing what I start.
Of course I pick the hardest time to try to maintain my blog LOL. As I can barely type. A week ago today I had surgery on my shoulder. Originally it was rotator cuff repair but there was little repair that needed to be done to it. There was more muscular repair and cleaning up that was done. Today I took my first actual shower after the surgery. I feel 100 times better. Recovery is going well, but it will be a long process to get all the strength back.
On to my second New Years Resolution...
I have been struggling with my weight for some time now. I have tried diets like south beach, which worked well...for a time. I actually lost 60 lbs. and put it back on...plus more. So this years resolution is 2 lbs a week.
I think that is doable.
Exercise and eating right. Portion control. blah blah blah. LOL yeah, i know it all. It is just a matter of doing it. And I am. So as soon as I have medical clearance, i will be starting a daily regimine.

Now...cool stuff I do.
I am currently participating in
Swap-Bot and
Paperback-Swap

I missed February...

Well, it seems I have missed the month of February in my blogging. So much for those daily blogs I guess. I have had a bit of a creative block lately. Im finally breaking out of it and starting on some small projects. I guess that is because I feel like things in my life are progressing some.

I am finally having some much needed dental work done. By work, i mean having my entire top teeth (or what is left of them) pulled and being replaced with upper dentures. My wonderful dentist has assured me we can save most of the bottoms. Unfortunatly I was born with very weak, very brittle teeth. Since I was two years old, I have constantly been in the dentists chair for some procedure or another. Unfortunatly the past couple years I have not had a dentist I could rely on to do the extensive work I need in a timely manner. They always insist to do a cleaning, x-rays, small fillings, etc...before beginning on the major work. By the time these things are done, my teeth are in worse shape. Not the case any longer. What kind of nut would be excited that tomorrow they are having teeth pulled. ME! I will have the smile I have always been meant to have.

Lets see, what else is going on. My mind has been boggled with new projects. Im working on a new business idea also. Something I can do full time at home. Im also thinking about opening up an animal rescue in the future. My passion is animals. Mostly dogs. There are so many out there that just need the love of a human. I also have other ideas where this is concerned. As I work through my projects, I will update on what I come up with.

Home sick today...

Well, i am home sick today with the stomach flu. As if i had NOTHING in the world else to do. :P
I guess its gods way of telling me to take it easy for the day. It is disgustingly blustery cold outside and I had to drag myself out of bed so I could take the pups out to do their thing. Upon checking my emails, I got a link from my mom and have been in tears the entire time since. I thought it was important that I share this link with everyone because what this woman does is simply admirable if you are an animal lover like myself. I am jealous as she is doing just what it is I want to do with my life. Help Animals. http://aplacetobark.blogspot.com/
Check her site out. Help if you can. Also if anyone has any advice on how someone like myself can do what she does, It would be most appreciated. I am off now to nibble some crackers and drink some flat sprite. Bleh. Keep these animals in your prayers.

Starting a little late...

Well, my new years resolution was to try to blog every day. Here is it, January 14, 2007 and I am just getting around to it. Heh. Oh well, better late than never. Im also new at this thing, so im hoping I dont bore you all to death with my lifes musings. I guess I will start off with telling you a little about me.

I live in Michigans Upper Peninsula in a town of 6000, Ironwood. Didnt know Michigan had an Upper Peninsula? Well, neither did I until my husband introduced me to it. I still havent forgiven him for it yet. LOL. We are concidered part of the mid-west, though by looking at a map of the US, i still dont understand THAT description. Ironwood sits on the border of Michigan and Wisconson. In fact, We are the western-most city in Michigan. I literally live 1.5 miles from Wisconsin. My kids LOVE the fact they can ride their bikes to another state.

Anyway, here I am, in THE coldest part of the United States. I moved here via Philadelphia, PA. via, Falls Church, VA. via San Diego, CA. Its a looong story, so dont even ask.

Here in the Upper Midwest, we are the land of the BIG.

Here in Ironwood, we have Hiawatha, the worlds tallest Indian.In Hurley(1.5 miles away), we have The worlds biggest corkscrew.
In Woodruff(35 miles away) we have the worlds largest penny.

Wisconsin also houses these "Worlds Largests...."

World's Largest Musky.
World's Largest Six Pack.

World's Largest High-Wheeler Bicycle.

World's Largest Round Barn.

World's Largest Packers Receiver.

World's Largest Grandfather Clock.

World's Largest Talking Cow.
World's Largest Loon.

Do some research, im sure you will find millions more. Well, i got a bit off track here with my worlds largest list hehe. I was leading towards something, but it seems to have slipped my mind for the time being. Oh...mostly I was leading to this fact...this place is boring. Other than our "largest" collections, there is not a lot to do here in the winter. Did I mention it is COLD!?!

Well a little more about me...Im a full time CNA, a full time mom of 4 boys, 3 dogs, and a husband. My mom lives around the corner above the store I own, NORDesignss. Its a small gift shop and boutique. I will post pics along the way of our place. Most of you who live in towns that are...lets say...WITH the times, will LOVE this place! Its got antiques, vintage, shabby chic, home decor, used jeans & T-shirts(most under $5) rockabilly & pet items. Its a labor of love and let me tell you...the labor has been looong and painful.LOL Well, thats it from me for now. I will hopefully be keeping with my new years resolution and blogging daily. Thanks for sharing!