Black Friday or Scary Friday

Wow, I cannot believe the news about Black Friday shopping.  That is one event I avoid now.  It’s scary.  I am a small person and would be hurt if I got into a large, uncontrollable crowd.  Fighting traffic, mean shoppers, and finding a place to park does not appeal to me at all.   I stayed at home and spent the time helping my son move and visiting with my daughter who is home from college.  I am trying to teach my adult kids that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and not about the presents.  In my opinion people are more materialistic than ever.  My goal of 2012 is to downsize and rid my home of things I can live without.  I plan on a large yard sale in the spring and what does not sell, I will donate.

I even considered having a give away any Christmas decorations that I haven’t used in years to the needy in my community.  I think this is something I can organize and setup for next year.  My church is located right downtown and accessible to those in need in our town.  If I can get word around I bet I could get a lot of donations for those less fortunate than me.  I would let families come in and pick out a bag or two of decorations.  It would also give our church a way to invite those who come in to join us for our Christmas Eve services and/or even come in on Sunday mornings.  An invitation is all it takes to make people feel welcome. 

I will put this on my “goals for 2012” list and start planning. 

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the days that lead to our Savior’s birth.

Remember the reason for the season!

Blessing,

Jackie

Weekend Plans

I cannot wait till Sunday.  My mom and I are going to Columbus to visit my daughter in college.  She misses her mom but I think mom misses her more.  Don’t tell but I am the one who is homesick for her.  She is an outgoing young woman and a joy to be around.   She is studying music and wants to be a song writer.  She attends Capital University and doesn’t come home much.  You can find some of her own music at http://www.myspace.com/hannah91693.   You do not need to register to listen.

I hope we can go to the conservatory  practice room to listen to some of her new songs!  She loves it there because everyone is very good and in tune! 

Poor girl needs food so I went to the store and bought things so can fix in her dorm.  Then we can head over to a great ice cream store across the street and have dessert.  We cannot stay all day as she needs to practice for a test on Monday…something to do with scales. 

 

Hannah at her graduation party, of course we had a cake with a music theme.  The cupcakes looked like a musical note. 

We had a piano at the church and a mic so she could sing a song she wrote for her graduation class.  She sang it at church before graduation and she performed it so well.  I was totally surprised by the response.   It made several member tear up and was very emotional.  I was so proud of her.  I hope the best for my daughter!  Hopefully someday you will hear her songs on the radio.

 

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Trials of LIfe

Just when you think everything is going ok, you get news that you are going to lose your job.  Well, that's me.  My boss and I will be closing the office by the end of the year and so I will be looking for a full time job.  Not much fun at my age.  Whoever thought the legal business would get so bad?  I never gave it a thought, but it happened.
Now how do I break the news to my kids and family.  The way I do things, I will not tell them until its absolutely necessary.  I know I can find work, but who wants to flip burgers after having a nice office job?  I shouldn't be so down on those types of jobs, but I think those jobs are more for high school kids and teenagers to get some experience.  My boss has offered to talk to some in the legal field about a job for me and I pray and hope that something good comes out of it.
But, in the meantime, if anyone needs some typing done, please give me a holler!  I also do bookkeeping as I handle the checkbooks for the Oak Ridge Festival for my cousin.  But that is not a full time job and only requires very few hours to complete. 
So, I will keep my chin up and be positive that something will come along and be better for me!

Everyone have a great day.

Reteaching My Brain to Blog

Good Evening, I am working my brain and trying all the settings in blogger.  Lots to Learn such as finding my blogger voice--I hope I don't sound  read loud, soft,  or weak. I'm looking for funny, joyful, cheerful, and informative (and much more).  I need to find a direction for my blog also.  I don't have much to teach at the moment because I have much to learn.  I enjoy reading the blogs explaining how to blog and the information about this big world of blogging.   Boy, I have used the word "blog" a lot.  There are a lot of ladies who rock when it comes to their blogs with so many amazing photos, tips, projects, and knowledge.  I really enjoyed reading Donna's from Funky Junk Interiors.  I'll get there....

I did start a Christmas project, and skipped right over Halloween and Thanksgiving.  I love fall decorating but didn't get around to much of that at my home.  I need to move furniture around and do some lots of painting.  I would like to turn into a man for about a month to handle some of the physical work that needs done around here.  I better lift weights this winter to build some muscles.  Anyone else have this problem?   Like the above cupboard above, it's really heavy.  This was in a garage and I wanted it so bad and one day my BF (boyfriend) said he had a surprise and said to look in the bed of his truck.  I jumped around like a little girl and giggled.

Well, I need to get back to messing around with all the settings and learn some more!
Have a wonderful Thursday.  

Father's Birdhouses

Good Evening!

I have a collection of birdhouses built by my father.  He used old barn siding, door knobs, metal pieces, and all sorts of materials to decorate them.  We used to have a booth at the Oak Ridge Festival and he sold many all over the United States.  Maybe you know someone who has one.  Just check the bottom for "Wilkinson Birdhouses".

It was fun to watch him create in his workshop.  I remember he build lots of wooden toys for my son...boats, cars, swords, guns, sling shot and also a few school projects.

The one pictured above is one of my favorites.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.  It has been one of the hottest I can remember. 

Best thing was I didn't have to mow!

I did get my shed cleaned out and now I have a place to paint furniture.

As my finances allow I hope to purchase a paint sprayer, electric drill and other tools.

I did find an electric nailer.  Yeah. 

One of the first birdhouses build with a slate roof.

Thanks for looking.

My Dad's Boyhood Home

I have added the picture of the home my Dad began was born. 

He had 3 sisters and 3 brothers. .The house is in Hocking County, Monday, Ohio. 

The house burned down when he was a child.  They ended up moving north

to Attica, Ohio and rented a really nice big farmhouse.

I decided to use the house in my blog because it looks antique and vintage.

He told me stories about his childhood and I totally loved to sit and listen

to every story he told.  He was a good story teller.

The best part of  my childhood was visiting my grandparents.

OH the Sunday dinners we enjoyed which my grandmother prepared.

Fried chicken, homemade noodles, mashed potatoes, 2 vegatables, homemade coleslaw,

and the best pies I ever had.  Apple was  my favorite.

I miss those days and will always have great memories.

Good Evening

Wow another busy day at work and at home.  I had to  mow the buckhorn growing in my yard.  I have a huge branch down from the storms that blew through Friday night and Saturday morning.  I thought I could just grab while on the lawn mower, but it weighs so much more that what I thought.  So...wait until it dries and see where I get.  I don't have a husband to help with the hard yard work.  I joked with my boyfriend and said I need to turn into a man for a week to get those real tough jobs done.  As the header of my blog I don't ask for much help.  So I pray a lot of strength and patience to get jobs done around here.  It has paid off on several times.  I'm sure you wonder why I don't ask my boyfriend (Joel), but he works a lot and has his own places to take care of...yes you read correctly "places".  He owns several rental houses.  I always think it will make me stronger mentally and physically. 

I started to simplify all my stuff-the material things.  I have saved antiques, vintage, new, used and all sorts of furniture and collectibles.  I decided its time to move out and reinvent myself.  I also would love to start a small business of my own.  I will share more on that later. 

I am learning to blog, take pictures, create videos and all sorts of technological things important to work on the computer.  I even need to get a new cellphone, but put it off because that's more learning.  I decided to keep it simple as not to feel overwhelmed.  The job of clearing out, cleaning, selling and blogging plus working a full time job is overwhelming enough.  So simple, simple, simple for now.  Besides I don't want to give up my time with Joel and riding the bike with him.  We totally enjoy riding his Harley over back roads and checking out houses--hopefully finding the right one for us to make a home!!

I  better listen to what the president is telling the nation.