Off to a New Year!

A special someone gave me the plate on this shelf awhile back and it reminds me everyday what a special gift life is.
This next Friday is the beginning of a New Year and already I have started on my resolutions. I didn't gain any pounds over Christmas, I am back on all the meds at the right dosage again, and I have made a vow to attend church every Sunday unless I am contagious to others.
The treadmill is up and running, hopefully with me on it starting Monday and with any luck I will lose a few more fat globs from my old body.
Christmas was wonderful....it's always amazing to me how much love, work and time go into a celebration that is over in at most 2 days!! But oh how worth it, it all was. I loved having my family close and seeing them all happy and having fun.
Happy New Year Everyone!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Odie and I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Joyful New Year.
Remember that our Heavenly Father has your best interest at heart. He knows what you need and he wants you to have all the blessings that he has in store for you. All you have to do is love and respect him and talk to him often.
Happy Holidays!

Quick Update

I am sleeping again and sorry about the two depressing blogs before. I am sleeping well now and having "another life" dreams which are very restful!
thanks for putting up with me!

Insomnia

The insomnia fairy visited me last night! I was able to sleep in 1-2 hour shifts, wide awake in-between. I'd get up, go potty, get a drink of water and go back to bed only to toss and turn and feel all itchy. Finally doze off and start all over again.
Finally got up at 6:15 and feel like this little fairy looks!
I wanted to get so much done today. Maybe that is why I couldn't sleep.....knew I'd have to work hard if I slept well.
Or........maybe it was the 1/2 cup of chocolate chips I treated myself to before turning out the light?????

Dropping Stuff

Although I'm not out picking up sticks in the cold, it does seem like I am always dropping stuff and having to pick them up again.
Is this part of old age?
Have I lost my ability to hold on to stuff?
Have all the little tiny microscopic grippers on my fingers rubbed off?
Or is my body telling me I need more bending and stretching exercise?
Whatever it is.......I just wish I would stop!!

A baby "sitting" day.

Do you see what I see?
I see a boat being pulled by a big brother!

Do you see what I see?
I see a bird, it's a plane, it's Gage the Superman!


Do you see what I see?
A rough riding cowboy going faster than the speed of light!

Do you see what I see?

A Batman impersonator being tough.

Do you see what I see? No me either.....a well worn out grandma!!

Do You See What I See?

Do you see what I see??

I see hand tatted lace, painstakingly made, abandoned and frozen for the winter.

Do you see what I see??

I see a space alien invading my quiet world and easily conquering!

Do you see what I see??

I see a lady singing the praises of pea's so her little one will willingly eat the tasty deliciousness.

Do you see what I see????

I see warriors defending my castle!

Do you see what I see????

I see a little angel come to visit.

8* this morning!!

Winter Came to Visit and is Staying!

Yesterday winter came to visit and brought about 6 inches of a white fluffy blanket to keep the earth warm and cozy for a few months.
Then last night she made sure to freeze the blanket in place so the wind wouldn't take it away.
Today she decided to stay here instead of going home to the northland.
Icy patches are everywhere. Baby steps are taken for the elderly (me). Sliding is for the young or young at heart who don't break so easily.
Stairs are scary and drifts are invisible until the sun shines the right way.
Yes, Winter is here to stay for a few months.
I can live with her for awhile. As long as I don't fall, freeze, or have to stay outside for long. Otherwise......she can go HOME!

No Two Alike!

I love the fact that just like snowflakes, no two people are ever the same. I look at my children and grandchildren, my own sisters and brother and I am amazed that each was born to the same family, same parents, same upbringing, but yet we are each so very different clear down to the molecules that reside in our cells.
Each day is unique too, starting the same, by waking up, but then bringing it's own style and surprises...or not..as the hours come along. One day is sunny and warm, one is cloudy and cold. On one day we might stay home all day and see or hear from no one. Other days everyone chooses to come visit or we end up going somewhere we really didn't plan to go.
Even if I follow a recipe the dish will more than likely turn out slightly different each time I make it...always surprising me!
Does this happen by random chaos theory as most scientist will say? Or is it Heavenly Fathers plan to keep us occupied and not bored with our life? Or is it just regular ol' life, going on day by day, waiting for whatever life will bring us?
Whatever the reason, I for one am glad that each day brings variety and spice. How boring it would be if we all looked alike, thought alike and acted alike...what would be the reason to get up each morning???

Internet

I have decided that I spend far to much time on the Internet doing fairly useless things.
I find that when I get on the computer time ceases to exist and before I know it I have been sitting in the same spot for hours at a time and my eyes are tired and dry and my butt has formed a cozy spot into the chair.
Do I disconnect my spirit from my body during this time spent staring at a screen? Do I become distanced from reality? Do I become someone that I usually am not?
Just like opening a bag of chips or chocolate, the internet is addictive and it is hard to know when to stop.
I am going to think about this alot in the next few lifetimes.

Honoring Hero's

Today is Veterans Day and even though I went shopping today, I did remember to thank all those who served in the military for our country.

One who served in the Civil War and died of influenza.

Two uncles who were in WWII, one shot by a sniper, one came home safe.

My husband who served in Germany during the time of the Berlin wall, and who had two who served in the Korean War.
A nephew who served in Afghanistan and came home safe.

A nephew who served in Kuwait and came home safe.

A grandson who is serving in the 82nd Airborne right now and I pray everyday that he will come home safe after his tour of duty.

I thank all who think enough of their country to leave their families, loved ones, and friends. Who risk life and limb to keep those of us at home safe and free.

They are all hero's, warriors and patriots, and AMERICANS in the greatest sense of the word.

I Love My Family!

It used to be that I could tend little boys all day, go shopping, make a delicious homemade dinner, with dessert and then still teach in Primary, help with tying quilts and lead a cub scout troop to victory for pack meeting!
Now, I'm lucky if I can get out of bed each morning, brush my teeth, comb my hair and watch one little baby part of the day!! No making dinner afterwards either, sweet hubby had to take me out tonight. Guess I wasn't completely recouped from the glorious weekend with 4 of my other grandkids, one of which is an 8 week old bundle of joy, whom I held as often as I could. Talk about soaking in Heavenly Fathers love....just hold a baby for awhile!!
I love, love, love my family and will do anything for them at any time....at least in my mind and with my spirit and heart. It's just the tired ol' body that shows me how old and out of shape I am.
A good nights sleep will help me out and tomorrow I will be all refreshed and ready to go. I love snuggling that sweet little baby and seeing him laugh when we play "patty cake" and he is so cute learning to pull himself up and walking around the furniture. I'll take the tired ol' body anyday to tend him again anytime!!!
Wish I had pictures of all the grandkids that were here over the weekend, but none of them would hold still long enough!!

Trick or Treats

The family gathered last night to celebrate the season and eat homemade soup in bread bowls and too many treats to count. Not everyone came in costume, but we all had alot of fun visiting, playing charades, and eating. Good thing the clocks fell back or we wouldn't have made it to church this morning!

Personal HairDresser.

When my daughter-in-law isn't available, I go to my granddaughter who does my hair with skill and fashion sense and she even throw's in a special "kissy" service!

Thanks for everyone's support while I was in the darkness. I just try to keep busy so I can't think too much!

Happy or Sad?

Although this picture is about a grumpy feeling, it made me laugh and I believe I have looked like this quite abit in the last month or so even though I've been making an effort to look and act differently.

I know what I need to do, pray more, scriptures, think happy thoughts, etc. but my spirit just doesn't want to climb out of the deep dark place it is living in these days.

Bless my sweet hubby and family for putting up with me. I will keep on trying.

Reunion.

This is the crazy family I married into! What fun and laughter is had when we all get together!

Changes

Been busy here, new grandbaby (#14) Check him out at http://andreasenarchives.blogspot.com , sore back, babysitting 2 other grandsons.

Making dolls, 4 now and another starting today for a sweet baby sis.

Fall is here and all the leaves are finally turning and snow is predicted for the end of the week.

Spud Harvest has started and big potato trucks filled with the tasty bakers.

Football season is here and 3 out of 4 wins is pretty good so far for BYU, and I have actually started watching the games, although I try to stay out of the Cougar Room, too many wild men in there!

I can't decide if I'm ready for winter yet, seems like summer went by too dang fast this year.

Oh well, ready or not here it comes!

Number 14 is here!

Meet the newest Andreasen! Born September 17th, weighing in at 5 lbs 11 oz and 19 in. Had a rough first few days but is now on the mend and raring to go!

We're making Progress Here!

Look who can stand up all by himself at 7 months old!! Of course we were all watching him like a hawk, but he can stand up there for a long time!


He likes to play with tools and watch tv, does that sound like any men you know??

Grandma has been busy making more dolls for granddaughters and is now working on a new one for someone very special. If you would like one, just let me know. No guarantees that I will make one for you, but I will sure think about it :).

Fall is Here!

It's very cool again here this morning and fall is definitely here except the leaves are not turning the beautiful colors, they are just turning brittle brown this year.

The farmers are harvesting grain and so hay fever is rampant and spud harvest is just a couple of weeks away.

Then it will be time to put all the garden stuff away and clean-up the yard one last time because then the snow will be flying and heaters will go on and long sleeves will be worn and sandals put away.

Where did the summer go????????

The Cleaning Fairy Didn't Show!

Well they call it Labor Day for a reason.....the cleaning fairy didn't show up at our house this morning so like it or not the dishes had to be done, beds made, floors swept and laundry done.
We did take time to drive into town the back way (going home traffic !!!!) and have a frozen yogurt and then watch some kids trying to walk a tightrope strung between two trees at the park.
And I did get a book finished and ANOTHER doll cut out, so I guess it was a holiday after all.

Victory!

I don't normally watch the football games that my sweet hubby loves so much, but when I saw the picture of the team with the huge team flag, it reminded me of Moroni carrying the title of liberty flag in the Book of Mormon and I couldn't deny the similarities in protecting "home, family and honor" and so I watched last nights game and was surprised at how involved I became in the action and excitement. BYU held their own against the #3 rated team of Oklahoma and defended their honor against all the naysayers who predicted a huge loss by BYU.

Now I am not saying that I will watch all of the future games, but I do understand a tiny bit more about why all of the men in my life love this team so much.

Maybe I am getting to deep in thought here, but could the team be a symbol of all that we fight against in the world today?? Could it be that when we cheer for our team that we are cheering for the victory over the invading army of the enemy? I don't know, maybe it's just a game after all.

Too Tired

I should put a new post on here, but I think I am just too tired to cope with it this evening. Maybe later.

My Latest Project!

A couple of weeks ago I told you about some fantastic fabric dolls I had seen on TV made by Patti Culea. The website where you can see her dolls is here.

http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/modern-cloth-dolls/index.html

Well, I decided to attempt to make my own version, so last week I started out cutting the pattern out of muslin, sewing it together, and painting the body

with watered down acrylic paint.

Then I painted on the face and a body suit.

Next I just started freelancing with material, hand sewing on long strips of fabric, ribbon and putting beads around the neckline and strings of beads on the dress and around her long lovely neck. Then came her hair tied up with cloth covered pipe cleaners and ribbons and the final touch, long "diamond" earrings. She took me many odd hours and I learned 2 major lessons, 1 don't use a gel pen to trace the pattern...it bleeds thru the paint. And second, fingers and hands are HORRIBLE to sew and turn. Mine look like they are full of arthritis! :)

.

Gary and I gave each other "street names" the other day. Mine is Booker and I think that is what I will name my doll. She is the younger free spirited wild and crazy me.

What do you think? Does she look like me??

Lazy Afternoon at the Lake

We had a lovely trip to Horseshoe Lake yesterday afternoon and had a really restful and relaxing time.

Gage and Luke loved throwing rocks in the lake and hiking around.Kyle wanted to swim but the water was too cold, so he played and ate (or tried to eat) everthing in sight.

Here is Luke posing for me.

And Gage looking handsome as always
Carl and Luke contempating the lake and watching for fish to jump.

We stayed until the skeeters started biting and then drove home, all 3 little boys falling instantly to sleep for the ride.

Thanks Carl and Jinger for the lovey day.