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What does your home say about you?

Here’s a fun little quiz … I don’t know about the sparkling clean part, at least not right now. I’m in the midst of removing carpet and staining a wood floor hidden underneath! But … here are my results.

Your Home Says That You Feel Settled and Calm

You come across as very intellectual. People take your wisdom seriously. You are sparkling clean! You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey. You are a very nurturing person. You find meaning in taking care of others. You feel settled in your life. You have enough time to focus on little details. You are a very self sufficient person. You can get along well without much help. Your friends see you as courageous, dynamic, and bright.

What Does Your Home Say About You? Try it out!

Thought for the day

I came across this today while perusing another blog …

‘The creative person is both more primitive and more cultivated, more destructive, a lot madder and a lot saner, than the average person.’  — Frank Barron

Inspiring Ideas for Home

Need some new ideas to spice up your home? I always get the house blahs in January … and I’ve found a great place for new ideas. Better Homes & Gardens has a great Web site brimming with delightful inspiration. Right now they’re running a special offer. They have catalogued over 20,000 photos and they are available for your viewing pleasure … for a price.

Find ideas from Better Homes & Gardens.

A three month subscription to their library is $24.95. They are offering free subscriptions to Better Homes & Gardens and Country Home magazines if you subscribe. In reality, they are collecting magazine subscriptions with 20,000 photos as an incentive. But if you want inspiration from the comfort of home …

I recently discovered Hooked on Houses. It’s a fun place to get your house “fix” — photos inside and out of everything from cottages to multi-million dollar mansions. I do not have, nor will I ever have a marble bathroom with gold fixtures, heated floors and glass shower walls. It’s fun to look at it though!

Hooked on Houses has great photos for your viewing pleasure.

And here’s a little bargain-hunting tip for mid-winter shopping. Sometimes you just need “something” … not necessarily an antique piece. Maybe it’s an urn for some dried flowers or an iron wall ornament … try Big Lots. You have to be careful. You have to sort through all of the bad to find the good, I admit. Every once in awhile, though, you can find a great basket or a luxurious throw or fabulous ribbon or some authentic looking faux pottery planters. And there’s nothing more exciting than turning super bargains into fabulous finds.

First things first, though. You should clean before you redecorate. There are all types of TV shows dedicated to it … Clean House … Mission Organization … etc. First I clear out the clutter, then I do a bit of organizing, then I dust and sweep. THEN, and only then, do I allow myself to indulge in the really fun stuff.

Discipline yourself. Work first, play second. Otherwise, you’ll have a well-decorated home that’s dirty and cluttered.

If you’re lost in a sea of despair when it comes to cleaning, try Spring Cleaning for Normal People.

Well, those are my house tips on this cold winter day … happy decorating!

A happy holiday

I hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful, cozy and comforting holiday with those you hold dear. We had a chaotic few days … family gatherings, the birth of my sister’s twins, and our three kids who are still dancing around with visions of sugarplums in their heads.

I didn’t find any coal in my stocking — always a good sign. I did discover a feast for the senses waiting beneath the tree. If these delightful items don’t conjure up a perfect afternoon, I don’t know what does!

Farmgirl Spa Package

1. Touch (cozy wool boot socks)
2. Taste (chocolate-covered almonds)
3. Sight (a new book)
4. Hearing (Trace Adkins CD)
5. Smell (lavender lotion)

Who says diamonds are a girl’s best friend? I much prefer life’s simple pleasures. Which of course is what hubby was thinking when he presented me with a pair of insulated Carhartt bibs. Uh-oh! No more excuses about it being too cold … I have a feeling he won’t be taking pity on me anymore!

Well, time to prepare for New Year’s Eve. Think “toga” and “mac and cheese” … photos will be forthcoming!

Finding my Christmas spirit

Usually my halls are decked both inside and out. Usually there are several kinds of Christmas cookies prepared and waiting in the freezer. I’ve been in a funk. Try as I might, the Christmas spirit has eluded me. And then yesterday, after a series of comical and could-have-been-tragic events, I found the missing link. The key to my transformation was a simple little sentence drilled into me by a Sunday school teacher:

Take ME out of the equation.

Aside from admitting that yes, I hear voices in my head on occasion, I must also admit how extremely selfish I have been. Who am I to go around ho-humming about Christmas not being magical? It’s not about me! It’s about the birth of Jesus and the promise for mankind. It’s about everyone else … EXCEPT me.

Is there a doctor in the house?
We arrived at a family gathering yesterday and the kids wandered off … as kids do when surrounded by a couple dozen of their cousins. One cousin was astute enough to grab a bottle of pills from my two-year-old’s greedy little hands and quickly report that he had eaten “a bunch” of them. He had wandered into a bedroom, opened a bottle of medicine and eaten 1/3 of the pills in the bottle. Thank heavens we have a doctor in the family! She immediately called Poison Control. Because the pills were ”homeopathic” muscle relaxers, my little pill-popper would be fine, aside from some intestinal upset. 

Rules to live by:
1) Never take your eyes off a two-year-old
2) Make sure there is a doctor at every family gathering where such two-year-old is present
3) Take “me” out of the equation and be attentive to everyone around you

I experience near heart failure and a jolt of reality. Funny how God reminds us who is really in charge when when we go a little left-of-center and start trying to manage our own lives. Who cares if the house isn’t dripping with white lights and red bows! And to think … I almost didn’t attend that party because I was feeling blue! Do you know what happened when we got home? I put my kids to bed, turned on my favorite Christmas CD and made  a batch of cookies. Aahhh, Christmas bliss …

And the hits just keep on coming
I went to bed with a happy heart. My daughter awoke with a bellyache at 11:30. My son awoke with an earache at midnight. The new puppy had to pee a short time later. At 1:30, my daughter said, “My tummy really hurts, Mommy.” And then she proceeded to spew a gallon of puke on my bare feet. No worries … she no longer had a tummy ache!

Turn your eyes and heart outward … and have a very, merry Christmas!

All in the family

Those marketing folks at L.L. Bean are brilliant. Truly. My new catalog arrived last weekend. There, on the cover, was my dog … not really my dog, but the canine in the jolly red scarf so closely resembled my dear departed Shelby that I could only stare. I did not peruse the catalog and make huge purchases, I’m sure that would disappoint those marketing gurus. I did decide it was time to find a new dog.

If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you may have read my post about Shelby. My beloved black lab passed away in June. She’d been with me for 14 years … before my husband, kids and life as I know it now. She helped me finish college, get a job, move away, find new pursuits, and eventually I repaid her by getting married, buying her a bed of her own, and then filling the house will loud, crazy kids to harass her. She can’t be replaced, but it’s time to add someone new to our lives. L.L. Bean sparked my loneliness.

A quick Internet search discovered a shelter not far away with several black lab puppies available. And now, one short week after that ad lab with the big brown eyes implored me to endeavor, Libby has joined our lives. She’s seven weeks old, wears a pink polka-dot collar and gets the hiccoughs every evening. She’s sweet. She’s ornery. She’s not Shelby, but she is the cutest thing since!

Meet our new baby: Libby

Other news from the funny farm …
Marigold the goat is getting entirely too comfortable around here. She follows us around like a dog. She hangs out on the porch. One morning I opened the back door only to witness Daisy the dog and Marigold the goat both coming out of the dog house! The other afternoon I looked across the pasture to a scene that still sends me into shrieks of laughter. Picture it: Cara the Quarter Horse standing proudly in the sun while Butters the pony takes a siesta in the grass in front of her. Daisy the dog sits at attention close by. Marigold the goat is standing … standing! … on Butters’ back. And Butters seemed perfectly content. I don’t know many horses who let goats stand on them, but whatever. As long as the animals are happy, so am I!

Life on the funny farm ...

Well, hubby is cutting wood. Farm boy is farming … and I need to clean up a cookie baking mess and then throw in a load of laundry before Sunday supper at church. We’re eating soup and sandwiches and then out for Christmas caroling. Aahhh, fun, fun. Hope you found a little bit of holiday spirit this weekend!

I need a tractor upgrade!

40 things on a snowy day

One of those e-mail questionnaires …

1. Do you like blue cheese? — Yes, especially on burgers!

2. Have you ever done something you regretted? Of course … hundreds of things. You can’t learn from mistakes if you never make any!

3. Do you own a gun? Yes. A Ruger .357 double-action revolver and a Savage .243 rifle.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? I don’t like Kool-Aid.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Naw.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? They’re ok a couple times a summer when cooked on a stick. But that’s it.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? A glass of water, followed by Diet Coke.

9. Can you do push ups? A few.

10. Favorite hobby? Reading, blogging and decorating.

11. Do you have A.D.D.? Who me? Huh? Naw.

12. What’s one trait you hate about yourself? I can easily write my thoughts, but speaking my mind is difficult. Ever trying arguing your case over e-mail? Not quite as effective.

13. Middle name? Lynn

14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? a) My nose is cold. b) My son is in the silverware drawer c) The bird feeder is empty.

15. Name 3 drinks you regularly have? water, Diet Coke, wine

17. Favorite place to be? Right here at home.  I have been to Honduras, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic and England. I’ve traveled, but now I’m a seasoned old woman with three kids and I prefer to spend time at home these days … although a camping trip is always a good idea.

18. How did you bring in the New Year? I think I slept through it.

19. A place you would like to go? Australia and Ireland, closer to home? Grand Canyon, Yellowstone

20. Name three people who will complete this. Probably no one.

21. Do you have slippers? No. I prefer wool hunting socks.

22. What shirt are you wearing? Thermal henley and a down vest

23. Do you like sleeping on satin? Nope. I’m a flannel kind of girl.

24. Can you whistle? Yep.

25. Would you be a pirate? I hate boats! So no.

26. What songs do you sing in the shower? I can’t remember what I used to sing, now I don’t have time to finish a song.

27. Favorite girl’s name(s)? Abigail, Isabella, Elizabeth and Emily.  I love old names.

28. What’s in your pocket right now? Cell phone and a tissue for son’s nose.

29. Last thing that made you laugh? The new puppy pouncing on the cat, biting its tail and hanging on for dear life as it took off through the house!

30. Favorite bed sheets as a child?  Strawberry Shortcake

31. Worst injury ever? Giving birth three times? That doesn’t count? Umm … six stitches in my knee in third grade — and we weren’t allowed to run and slide down the sidewalk on the ice anymore that year!

32. Do you like where you live? Yes, really I do. But I love houses and decorating and imagining this house and that house and what I would do to it … can’t help it.

33. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2

34. Who is your loudest friend? probably my sister

35. How many dogs do you have? 2

36. Does someone have a crush on you? Extremely doubtful.

37. What is your favorite book? Too many to consider.

38. What is your favorite candy? chocolate

39. Favorite Sports Team? My daughter’s soccer team.

40. What song do you want played at your funeral? Something rip-roarin’ and fun!

As Tiny Tim said …

“God bless us, every one …” especially my husband. He is a good man. He is a patient man. And luckily, he finds humor in my situations.

The kids and I set out to find this year’s tree yesterday afternoon. We were in the market for a tall, thin tree … not the usual suspect: short, stocky and slightly Charlie Brown-ish. We walked behind the house and up and down the hill, in search of THE ONE. We wrapped a brightly-colored scarf around the top branches to signal our choice to the man of the house.

He started the tree felling about 9 p.m. His only comment, “It’s tall.”

Yes, it was tall … and it looked A LOT taller in my house than it did on the hillside. I had assured him it was about eight feet. The reality: it’s 12 of 13 feet tall. And there is only one spot in the whole house where such a gigantic tree will fit. Lucky for me we have a tall step ladder. Lucky for me dear old hubby didn’t mind that I now had to move all of the furniture to accommodate what we jokingly called, “The White House Christmas Tree!”

It is tall. It is heavy. It drinks a heck of a lot of water. It rendered my kids speechless. Yep. It’s this year’s perfect tree. Or it will be, after the kids have a chance to adorn it with their ornaments. Toilet-paper-tube angels and all!

Ohhhhhh. Christmas tree!

There are some things …

… I simply do not do. I don’t intentionally smash my thumb with a hammer. I don’t intentionally bang my head against a wall. I don’t intentionally stab myself in the eye with an ice pick. I avoid stubbing my toe in the dark at all costs. Perhaps that is why I refuse to crawl out of bed at 3 a.m., dress in umpteen layers of winter apparel, stumble through darkness to my freezing vehicle so I can stand in line in the snow on black Friday and then push past other shoppers in a mad rush to purchase the latest and greatest gizmo recommended by so-called marketing experts.

But that’s just me.

Lots of people, maybe even you, think it’s a blast. I can see how it might be fun … if you loved shopping and weren’t on a do or die mission for the country’s most popular toy. If you’re planning a midnight or pre-dawn expedition, have a blast! Be merry and cheery and bright!

A unique shopping excursion
When you’re done, consider this idea: head to Carroll County … specifically, the Augusta area. Stop off first at Manfull Orchards in Augusta. Fresh baked pies and breads, apple butter, cider and a quaint gift shop—in addition to locally grown sweet, juicy apples—will please your overloaded senses. Then head south on Andora Road to Farmgirl Finds. The long lane will transport you to another time and a shop filled with rustic antiques, primitive treasures, homestyle Christmas decor, fragrant candles and gifts for everyone on your list. Next stop? Continue south on Andora to Weaver’s General Store. This Amish-run store is filled with overstocks from Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Target and Wal-Mart. It’s unique. It’s economical. And there’s no other place like it!

Turn around and head north on Andora. Turn left on Rush Road. Hilltop Bulk Food Store has all the ingredients you need for holiday baking. When you’ve stocked your pantry, continue north on Rush, then left on Arbor to Stillfork Variety Store. This shop offers housewares, childrens’ toys and surplus grocery items for the bargain shopper. Arbor continues back to State Route 9. If you’re in the market for leather goods or boots, continue on Arbor to Shetlar’s Harness Shop. If not, turn south and head into Carrollton for unique shopping and eateries in town.

I promise: no long lines, ample parking and beautiful, scenic countryside on meandering country roads (all within a five-mile radius). Just last week a customer came into Farmgirl Finds and said, “I haven’t felt much like Christmas until this point. But driving up your lane, walking into your shop … oh! It just feels like the Christmas spirit has arrived.”