Murphy, please skip my blog today.

My word for the year is Courage, with a capital C. This is a year of milestones. My oldest son finished Driver's Training. My youngest son turned 13. My daughter completes her 5th year of dance. My husband and I met 20 years ago and, this year, I turn 40.

That's a lot of biggies in 12 months.

This year, I am determined to do more, be more, live and love more...everyday.


So...

I quit my job to start my own business. I quit a good job in the middle of the second worst recession ever to start a craft business. Crafts I know. Business...well...not so much.

Today is day 3. My house is mostly clean. I'm working on the massive mountain range of laundry in the basement and setting up a workspace in our family room because my basement craft room is freezing. I have a notebook of ideas, lots of supplies and conviction to make this work.

I have courage. I have a plan.

Courage.

Cozy Home

The holidays are behind us, but I still haven't put one Christmas decoration away. That is the focus this weekend. I want to clean up and pare down and cozy up for the cold months ahead. Our couch is nearly buried in blankets, pillows and quilts, at the ready. I once heard our home described as a "sleep trap" because of the cozy corners to curl up in. I still think of it as one of the greatest compliments ever given to me.

We have flu and basketball and work and cleaning and school and laundry, but we're all cozied around the television, watching Despicable Me for the millionth time.

The rest of it can wait. We need to snuggle.

Cheers!

September 1

Temperature: 65 degrees



Well, I skipped a few months in there, didn't I?

Life in all of it's glorious, heartbreaking, frightening and blessed events, has thrown us quite a few curve balls in 2010. Some wonderful, some not so wonderful and some so painful it's hard to think about them.

But we're all here, all healthy now and ready to start the best time of year.

Talk to you soon.

Take care and keep us in your prayers. You're in mine.

Marti

a new love...

Current temperature: 17 degrees F

We are having a heat wave. I believe this is the fourth day in a row that I haven't had to plug my car in for the night or run out to it in fear of my nose freezing. It's nice, this January thaw, but I know winter is just waiting in the wings for the next act.

I haven't seen my oldest son for any considerable length of time since Monday...and his new love is Basketball. This is his first year playing and he totally loves it. He's tired, but there is a passion in him that is new and wonderful to experience. When I picked him up last Tuesday from a late game, he smiled sleepily and said, "We played great. We won a game and lost a game, but I learned so much watching the Varsity team. They know, Mom."

I wonder if Michael Jordan's mom was ever so proud.

Back to work...

Current Temperature - 18 degrees

Well, some of us didn't have much for vacation this holiday, but I am very thankful that my husband and children were back to work and school today. It's been too cold to go outside much, so it's been 13 days of Wii, food, movies and "I'm bored!" My family is very outdoorsy (everyone except me!) so frigid temps and lots of snow are akin to house arrest. There is hope in the forecast though, for the weekend. Til then, it's more hot cocoa and long johns every morning.

3 months and 16 days until Spring...

brrrr....

Current Temperature -10 degrees F

Don't let that number fool you. It was -36 when my hubs checked the weather report earlier. It's completely beautiful outside, though. A very fine mist of snow is falling and everything is flocked and sparkly in the winter sun. The photo at left is my favorite from last winter. Frost designs on our front porch...truly divine.

I haven't left my house since New Year's Eve day and it's pure heaven. I'm almost done with a quilt binding ( I hope to post a photo later) and I've found an online manual for a new camera we've just acquired. Hopefully I'll figure it out sooner than later. Leftovers for dinner.

Well, here goes...

Happy New Year!
Current Temperature: -10 degrees F

I love the promise of a new year. Today is full of good intentions, dreams and visions for a grand and exciting 365 day journey. Cupcakes and Chex mix are on the menu. What more could anyone want?