the good stuff

Quilts for Oklahoma

May 21, 2013

I have sat at my computer screen the last two days, watching with HOPE for victims of the Moore tornado to be found. My family and I have texted money, and posted links, and prayed and prayed. And cried. I think of the young boy I saw last night on the news, happy to be [...]

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Brushing my teeth with dirt and other things I have been doing lately

April 16, 2013

It all started long, long ago. I stopped cleaning with the store bought stuff, and started cleaning with mostly vinegar and baking soda. When Baylee came along, I stopped using scented detergent, most perfumes and tried to coupon and recycle. Couponing lasted about six weeks. Recycling involved collecting just aluminum and glass and hauling it to [...]

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25 years, $500 and 2 rooms

March 1, 2013

David and I have been married for 25 years this month. Last year we went for a fabulous weekend in Asheville. We stayed at the Hilton down by the new movie theater. It was amazing. And then we came home. To our wonderful kids. And our 1984 foil pink butterfly wallpaper and pink blinds. sigh My [...]

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Instagram pillows DIY

December 13, 2012

So, I was on the hunt for a couple of really personal graduation gifts for two special girls graduation from college. I saw these Instagram gifts on Pinterest, and since I have worked with photos on fabric before and I am a cheapskate, I thought, I could make that! I would say that this [...]

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Elk in Cataloochee

November 7, 2012

Saturday we loaded everyone up to go see the elk in the National Park. We had a van full and as we got up in the mountains to the narrow, dirt road, one of the kids said, ” they should have a sign that says ‘he who enters here abandon all hope’.” Ha! I guess [...]

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I have this box.

November 2, 2012

I have this box. It holds parts of my past. Parts of my present. Parts of my future. And I don’t take it out very often, but it is always a part of me. It influences the decisions I make. It determines some of the choices I hold most dear….. For the rest of this [...]

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Fall!

October 14, 2012

It has been a special time for our family this fall! We have been blessed with having our two oldest kids home this fall. Baylee has been student teaching, and Jay is going to school at the local community college. We also have a friend living with us while she attends the community college… So [...]

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Bear Crossing

October 9, 2012

On our way to church the other day, we came across our neighborhood black bear. He was hanging out at our neighbor’s bird feeder. Fortunately, he was in the Bear Crossing!

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Of babies and toddlers and magic

August 11, 2012

Each day is a new day to experience the wonder that comes with having a little one. Yesterday Tyler watched over and over a video of himself. Each time he watched, his face had a look of pure joy and delight. He would yell along with the video, “Dad!!” and then laugh. We just sat [...]

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Short and Sweet

May 28, 2012

I am alone. Blissfully alone. For about 30 minutes. Not one kid. Not one husband. Not one friend. I love time alone. To rest. To sleep. To facebook. To pray…. and when the family comes back home, I will be READY! What do you do when you are alone?