Redeemed Junk and Stuff

Pitter Patter

2019-01-26T02:42:00.000-08:00

All you who know me well know that I have always wanted to travel. My heart yearns for the open road, preferably on a road headed to the beach, but I’m not too picky, any road will do. I will go with a companion or by myself, it doesnt matter to me. A few days ago, I made the leap and bought a little trailer. She is 17 feet long and a cute little number. It wasn’t an impulse buy. No purchase very large ever is for me. Ask my daughters. It took me a year to buy my first iPad mini 😂

So now I am planning adventures. With my family and friends and by myself. I joined Sisters on the Fly a group of women who camp, fly fish and just plain have fun together! I’m Sister #13109! Imagine that! To use a tired old phrase, I’m starting a “new chapter” in my life. I’ve been struggling for a while with changes and losses in family dynamics.wating for things to get better before I moved on.

I’m still working at my dream job, but am determined to focus on learning to have some fun. I’ve never been very good at “playing”. I put off having fun until life is more settled, less chaotic. Well my ducks are going to have to fall in line behind me and my little trailer, Pitter Patter. I hope you’ll come with me on my redeemed path.

2018-04-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

Some many things are running through my mind at this time. Many of my friends are retiring. If you are a baby boomer and stayed home with your children, got divorced, and came to the workforce late in life, retirement is years away. Maybe, it won't happen at all. Who knows. I have consulted a financial adviser and he thinks I'll be "okay" if I work 6 more years. I am incredibly blessed to have a job that I love. The only thing I miss is energy. Caffeine is my energy for now.

2017-06-13T17:01:00.001-07:00

I've been following all these wonderful blogs and one of them just quit posting. I know I don't post very often, but I was used to this gal posting regularly and then poof she was gone. I hope all is well with her. And while I don't have a following or anything, I thought I would just post and update few friends.

Work has been taking most of my time up. I was promoted last March and I am now the branch manager of three neighborhood libraries. It's been 6 months and I think I might have a routine...sort of.

My grand baby is growing like a weed. She is 10 months old and I love spending time with her. There isn't anything better. All of my friends were right! I was looking for a quote to express how special grand children are and all of them apply. I have a grandson that I got to see once when he was 10 months old. I don't know where he is, but my love for him has not dimmed. I pray for him daily and wonder what it would be like to sit with him and read a book, or to walk in the park. Some day maybe we'll get to do that. My granddaughter lives close by and I get to spend time snuggling her and singing to her. They say that when you become a mother your heart is forever on your sleeve. It's true, but when you become a grandmother you take that heart and you place it in the hands of that little one who's face mirrors the children you love so dearly. It's magical.

Memorial Day

2017-06-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

There have been so many Memorial Day's for me before this one, but I think that I'm at the age where there are fewer and fewer people who have been with me on those holidays. My dad and my mom are gone and so is my younger brother. Time passes and so do the people we love. Both my dad and my brother were Veterans and I wish I could thank them one more time for serving this Country I love.

I hope that if you can spend time with your family and friends this Memorial Day that you will take a minute to be grateful for the time that you get to spend with them. Those of you youngsters will be sitting there thinking "oh here goes this speech again..." and before too long you will be the one giving it. It happened to me, it will happen to you.

A new grand baby and Thanksgiving!

2014-12-18T17:08:00.000-08:00

I usually start off saying that I haven't posted for a while...but no excuses. I have a few days off of work so I'm going to "catch up". Is that possible?

Here are a few I've done the last few months besides work:

Made a trip to Seattle to help my sister dejunk a few things.

Drive to Seattle to surprise a friend at her wedding. It was beautiful!

Clean out the basement and the garage so I could...

Hold a garage sale.

Move my daughter downstairs to a new room.

Plan and hold a baby shower.

Create a guest room/place for the grand baby when she visits.

Attend Quilt Camp and start a quilt for the new baby.

Plan an Organizing Workshop called "Just in time organizing".

Held the workshop at the library where I work.

Attend the birth of my grand baby!

I finished the dust ruffle, but I'm still working on the quilt.

Wow, now I don't feel so bad about not posting on my blog.
Here is a picture of my tiny princess.

Welcome tiny Jersey Joy!

I got my tree up and am anxiously awaiting family and fun for Christmas.

Wishing you all a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

Until Next time,

Clara

Back from San Diego

2014-08-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I scored tickets to the International Comic-Con in beautiful San Diego last March and after several months of anticipation we were off.

La Jolla, Seal Cove

I spent my high school years here. My bicycle was my freedom to explore. I took my daughter to the San Diego Zoo where I spent a lot of my time as a teenager. I lived in Pacific Beach, but I rode my bicycle to the Zoo to study the animals on a regular basis. I thought I might be a veterinarian for a long time.

San Diego Zoo, California

I don't know the little boy, but it was hard to get a shot without people in it and he was so excited about being at the zoo, I thought I'd leave him in.
Unfortunately, it was VERY warm and humid and most of the animals were hiding in the shade trying to stay cool. I'll post some more pictures after my daughter sends me her photos. She's a better photographer than I am.

We drove up to the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. My dad and brother were veterans and this memorial is a tribute to the men and women who served. There are photos and memorial plaques all around the memorial. It's very touching.

View from Torrey Pines towards La Jolla

We live in a beautiful country, don't we? We are truly blessed. I'll post more pictures next time.

Clara

Summer Reading Excitement

2014-06-03T19:44:00.001-07:00

Summer Reading Time!!

A long, long time ago in a land far away there was a little girl who lived in lots of different places because her daddy was in the Navy and his family followed him around. There was always a new house and a new school to get used to, but the very best thing about moving was that there was always a new library to explore.Yes, I am a hopeless bookworm.

It's Summer Reading time at the library and because I am ~~lucky~~ blessed to have my dream job, I get to sign kids up for the Summer Reading program. I get to tell them about all the fun programs we have all summer long and if they read 15 books---ONLY 15 books---they get to pick out a brand new book to keep. We didn't have a program like that when I was growing up...sigh.

Our library is having an adult summer reading program this year :) How cool is that? So all you book worms drop by your local library and sign someone up.

I am currently joining Brenda from Cozy Little House in a book club on Goodreads. We are reading a book a month. This months book is Don't Go by Lisa Scottoline. Join us. Just go to Brenda's blog and sign up on sign in to your Goodreads account and look for the Cozy Little House Book Club. WHAT? you don't have a Goodreads account? Well run over and get one and then friend me. I'll be waiting.

Until next time,

Clara

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

2014-05-23T10:30:00.001-07:00

You might not know that I am a died in the wool, red, white and blue patriot!
My father and my brother were both Veterans. I grew up a Navy brat in the old days when people honored our service men and women.

Not very many people consider the families of soldiers who give up time with their spouses and parents while the soldier is gone. There were many many months when my dad was on a cruise when he couldn't be there for us. There were Christmas's and birthdays and functions that he couldn't attend. My Mom was a single mom until the ship pulled in and dad came home.

You can't imagine the joy and excitement to see him coming down those stairs running towards us. Daddy's home! My heart swells with thankfulness and pride for the sacrifices these men and women make. And then there are some who don't come home.

Memorial day is for them more than anything. They gave everything for you and me and our country. I don't care how you feel about war. NO ONE ever wishes for war. Every single citizen of the United States of America should be thankful for the sacrifice of these selfless men and women.

So I leave you with this...if you are blessed enough to live in this great country and you are related to or know someone who has served, thank for their service this weekend. I wish I had treated my dad and my brother more like heroes when they were on this earth and

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Until next time,
Clara

The last thing I need

2014-05-20T12:33:00.002-07:00

The LAST thing I need is another art project, but...we just held a Zentangle class at the library where I work and its my new favorite thing to do when I have a few minutes. If you do it "right" it will even calm you down.

I'm not an artist in the traditional sense, but I can actually draw these. If you can draw a circle, line, curve, dot and a curly-cu then you can create your own Zentangles. All you need is white paper, a pencil and a Fine 0.5 or small ink pen and a few minutes.

If you don't live in Spokane and you can't attend a workshop at your local library by the fabulous here to read Loretta West's blog at Color Garden Studio. She is one of the most encouraging people I've ever met. We are having her come present a Dr. Seuss Zentangle program for Summer Reading at our library.

If you really get hooked like me, you can sign up here with Linda Farmer and she will email you free patterns. I'm betting you might also find a book or two in your library. You may have to request it because it will be on hold.

Here are a couple I bought that you might like:
The Zentangle Basics is a great beginning book.

While the Craft-a-Doodle book is not Zentangle, you'll find lots of simple patterns you can turn into cards, signs or bookmarks.

So go ahead and grab a pen or a pencil and have some fun!!

Until next time!
Clara

Bloomsday and Family Traditions

2014-05-13T19:19:00.001-07:00

June, it's June and there's no snow to be seen. I really do like snow and I love the four seasons, but some years the Winter hangs on a little too long.

Each year my family likes to participate in Bloomsday, a 15K run/walk here in the Pacific Northwest. You have to finish the race to earn the coveted Bloomsday t-shirt. The next day people wear their shirts to work.

When I moved here over 30 years ago, a friend suggested I run the race for fun. Laughingly, I told her that I wasn't a runner. A few weeks later I found myself standing in the middle of 50,000 people in the middle of Downtown Spokane freezing to death anxiously awaiting the sonic boom that signaled our turn to start the race.

The clothes hanging in the trees are worn by runners before the race and when the race starts they throw them in the trees. The clothes are gathered up later and donated to thrift stores.

Over the years I've walked with friends and family. I've walked alone, I carried my son in a backpack, and I walked alongside many friends. I think I broke the two hour mark once. It's been so warm that we welcomed the spectators standing on the side of the road spraying us with hoses and its been so cold I kept my sweatshirt and sweatpants on until I crossed the finish line.

The metal sculptures in Riverfront Park wear past Bloomsday t-shirts.

Some people have tailgate parties, some have picnics in the park, and some go out to lunch. But after a long hot shower and a change of clothes my family gathers at my house to BBQ. Sometimes I think its the only reason we do the race, but there is that coveted shirt.

I never intended this to be a family tradition, but that's what happened. I've never won the race or even placed in my category, but I have a plastic tote full of t-shirts and a bucket load of memories and that's whats really important.

Until next time,

Clara

Snow and more snow.

2014-02-28T20:22:00.001-08:00

The wind is whistling down the chimney and across the floor. It's been cold and snowy for a long time. I feel like hibernating.

Most of the bloggers that Inread are pretty tired of the snow too. I usually like the sparkling white cleanness that covers everything.

I haven't been painting or fixing but I have been cleaning out files and organizing papers so that I will have more time to work in the garden. I love the seasons and this is a quiet restful one that gives us time to order our world before life gets busy again.

Until Next Time,

Clara

2013-08-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

Have you ever put something off for so long you find it impossible to start? Well, I've been wanting to post here, but I haven't had any cool pictures so I haven't posted....even words.

I just tried to upload a picture and I clicked on the whole album. I'm sure you've never done that. So...I'm sitting here waiting for the album to load so I can select a picture I do want to upload.

I guess I'll go over to Bloglovin' and catch up with my favorite bloggers.

Until next time,
Clara

2013-04-21T15:37:00.001-07:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

My favorite thing (right now)

2013-04-20T18:28:00.001-07:00

I love Claudia's blog at Mockingbird Hill Cottage. She inspires me, but I don't usually DO anything about it. However, I recently finished creating a "studio" quilting/sewing room and I saw one of Claudia's posts where she had created an idea board. I figured I could do especially since it is constantly a work in progress so I wouldn't have to "commit" to a finished project. LOL

Here is a picture of it:

The FAMILY tag is because I treasure my family. The figure in the middle has a quote by Louisa May Alcott that says "She is too fond of books and it has addled her brain". I'm a librarian so it's perfect.

The blue ribbons are for some quilts I entered in the Spokane County Fair here quite a few years ago. There are some flyers and photos from the Farm Chicks Show. My girlfriends and I are the original junkers and have been going to Farm Chicks since they started having shows.

Thanks to Claudia for the inspiration!

Clara

Repurposing my daughter's room into a studio

2013-04-20T14:47:00.001-07:00

Not too long ago, my daughter decided she wanted to move downstairs into the big bedroom in our basement. I WAS going to take it over as a studio, but was a little slow on the uptake so I said yes, "go for it". That left me with her room.

I was going to repaint it because its a little bright, but I decided to go with it...
So I hauled all the white shelves and my table upstairs and started putting together my little space.
You have to know that I came from a family of 7 and I had 5 children so I have never had my own space. This has been fun!

This is really three shelves filled with books and "stuff. I have added more since then...of course.

The above is the closet. I painted an old ugly red bookshelf with oops paint (dark aqua) and added these shoe organizers for my fat quarters.

Before ick.

Halfway there...

Finished and loaded with bins and...fabric.

This quilt was the inspiration for all the bright colors in my room. My friend and quilter extraordinaire, Candy Huddleston, made this beauty.

The light was a little dim here. We are still having winter/spring here. Here is a close up of my idea board. Claudia from Mockingbird Hill Cottage made one of these and she inspired me to create my own. Here is a close up.

So, that's what I did before my recent "surprise" surgery.

Thank you all for your best wishes and your comments.

Until next time,

Clara

Flannel Pajamas Club

2012-10-10T21:37:00.001-07:00

I follow Claudia at Mockingbirdhill Cottage and she is the official ambassador of the Flannel Pajamas Club. If you are like me you are happy that it is getting dark earlier and there is a chill in the air because that means you can legitimately get in your pajamas earlier. No guilt. Feel free to change the minute you get home from work.

Autumn is my favorite time of year. The trees come alive with the color. Here is a picture of the trees in the parking lot of the library where I work.

Unfortunately, the trees in my yard are not as stunning. It's time for a trip to Green Bluff to get apples and pumpkin donuts. I do love this time of year.

I hope that you are having as much fun with this beautiful time of year.

Until next time,

Clara

Chapter 2 or maybe it's 5

2012-09-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

It's been a while since I've posted here. Do you remember the Veggie Tales song "I'm so busy, so busy..." Well I know its a cliche, but I am. Goodness!

Some of you know that I've been looking for a full time job for over two years. Deadlines were approaching. I had already sold my car and put my house up for sale when "surprise!" God blessed me with a full time job at the very same library where I work already. It's a long story and maybe I'll share it someday, but suffice it to say A LOT of things happened that were could not have been orchestrated by me or any one human.

Consequently, I am working full time as of Sept. 4th and I am having to learn how to get things done in a lot less time than I ever have before. I will welcome any hints you have about how to cut corners and get everything done that you need to get done. I have to say, I don't know how single mom's with small children get things done. I am so thankful I only had to work part time when my children were small.

I've got a garage sale coming up so I'm off to "organize" the chaos in hopes that someone will take it off my hands.

Until next time,
Clara

Dining room floor as promised

2012-07-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

I had forgotten I promised to post a picture of the dining room floor once I got it done. The story behind it...God always provides for even the silliest things I think are important. I got this flooring on clearance and after completing the hallway floor I was worried that there wouldn't be enough. Really worried. But...

I had enough to finish. Not one piece left over and I created a patchwork of pieces for the edge and the inside of the closet, but enough to complete the whole floor.

My confession, I was kind of mad at God because it was a miracle and I don't use the term lightly, that I went to Home Depot, found the flooring on clearance, the salesman reduced it even further, and I had the money to pay for it.

Not soon after I finished the hall (it took 2 3/4 boxes for the hall) I started to worry that I wouldn't have enough for the dining room. I stuffed down my anxiety and started laying the strips of flooring. The closer I got the more I was grumbling...if You wanted me to do this and You went to all the trouble to supply the materials, shouldn't I have enough? I was reminded of the Israelites in the desert when God provided manna for them to eat. At first, they were happy and then they acted...like me. Ungrateful. Oops.

I continued to finish the floor. The main part was done, but I had to finish edge and it looked like I might have to special order a whole box for ONE strip of flooring. I decided to take a break before I finished the floor. The next day I very carefully measured and cut the one strip I had left and it covered every inch of the edge. I had saved the end pieces that I cut off and used them to finish the last small strip in the closet.

Yes, I started crying because God had provided and I hadn't trusted Him. I was doing the same thing I always do...worrying and questioning His provision. Yikes, don't you think I'd learn by now? I'm old enough to know better as my mom would have said. But am I? Are we? Does God ever stop teaching us lessons? I guess like my friend said "It would be pretty boring if we just 'got it' and then we were done learning for the rest of our lives." Well, okay, that was gracious, but I tell you I am on a mission to "get it" and be thankful for everything He gives me every day.

Humbly,
Until next time,

Clara

New hall floor...dining room to come

2012-06-17T21:32:00.001-07:00

In a previous post I showed you the lovely floor that I uncovered when I ~~went crazy~~ decided to remove the carpet from my dining/living room/hall because my very old cat had decided to use it as a litter box.

Absolutely lovely...not. This was in the dining room and hall to the back door.
The living room has maple hardwood floors. Very pretty and in good shape too.

However, they are all connected so I needed to find something that would look nice and cover up that hideous brown and tan tile.
I have been haunting Loews and Home Depot for months and months. I was looking for something ~~cheap~~ inexpensive. My finances are...umm difficult right now. Divorce, part time job, etc. Anyway, I saw a product on the Home Depot website called Allure. There are videos online showing how to install it and the process looked simple. I decided to make a trip to Home Depot just to see if they had the same thing in the store.
As luck would have it they did have it, BUT the maple color that matched my hardwood is a special order. A nice man came by and asked me if I needed help and I asked him if they had any maple in stock. He said, "No, its a special order, BUT I do have 5 boxes that someone returned and they are on sale for $37.00." (normally $49.00 per box). I needed 7 boxes so I would have to order the other 2. I ordered them and while we were doing that another salesman came over and said give her a discount since that box is open. He loaded the 5 boxes and walked up to the register with me. Where he discounted the open box to $20 and the other 4 to $25!!
I believe that God provides for me on a regular basis, but this kind of thing blows me away. He is an awesome God all the time, but I sure appreciate these gifts He gives and I know it was from Him.
I brought the boxes home and it took me about 4 hours to do this:

My pug, Rosie thinks it looks great. It's supposed to be water proof. That's good because the back door gets a lot of paw traffic.
I have to wait for the other two boxes so I can do the dining room, but that's okay because my knees are killing me! And I have a blood blister on my thumb.
I'm not going to say this was "easy" because I used a couple of naughty words when I had to cut some special pieces. Overall it looks good and I'm happy with the look. I still have to find some transition strips that will work in various areas, but the work is never really done is it?

Thanks for coming on my adventure,
Until next time,
Clara

Long time no see

2012-06-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry it has been so long since I posted. I have been trying to clean our my house so I will have less ~~crap~~ stuff to pack, if and when I can sell it.

I don't know what to do. My family is in flux right now. My oldest daughter is working at the beach for the summer and now she may decide to live there for good. Boo hoo. If it was me I would do it! Cannon Beach vs. Spokane. Hmmm

On the upside, I would get to visit her as often as I could pay for gas. My son got a job and moved out. It's just me and my youngest daughter. It's awfully quiet around here. After raising five children having one left is very strange and very quiet.We have been having a lot of rain so it would be easy to live at the coast if I could find a job there.

I was looking at mobile homes and found this blog. My Heart's Song by Geneva in Texas. She and her hubby have retired and sold their huge house and have downsized to a mobile home. What she has done with it is amazing! It is beautiful. Go check it out. She has some fabulous ideas for any cozy home. Here is a picture of her kitchen remodel. Fabulous!

Isn't it beautiful? She explains the process of painting the cabinets, etc.

I have been trying to figure out how I want to focus my blog. Should I just make it a journal of sorts? Actually, things have been really tough around here lately so I haven't wanted to ~~dump~~ share all that with you all. Who wants to read that?

On the other hand, I would much rather read a blog where the author is sharing real stuff vs. reading a "Christmas letter" blog. I really don't read fluffy blogs. Another pet peeve is reading blogs when people have loads of money so all they have to do is schedule their remodel with all the contractors they can afford to pay and voila--no creativity or talent required--just money.

I scanned a bunch of photos the other day for my daughter. Does anyone know a way to scan more than one photo at a time? Gosh, it took forever and there are a lot more to scan.

So much to do, so hard to buckle down and get it done. I'll leave you with my ducks...not really, mine aren't in a row.

Cute little guys.

See you next time,
Clara

25 Random things...

2012-03-01T20:32:00.001-08:00

I have been waiting for the weather to go from grey to light so that I could take some pictures of some of my junkin' treasures, but alas every time the sun comes out for 10 minutes I am at work. So here I am running behind the band wagon trying to catch up and jump on. A lot of other bloggers have posted 25 things about their lives. I thought it might be fun, mostly because I am down with a head cold and am so tired of being unproductive. I'll try to find some interesting pictures to post between my boring numbers...

1. Are you like me in that whenever you catch a cold you start looking around to find out where it came from? Why? Am I going to confront them? It's a silly thing to do since I work with the public and I could have picked up the germs any where.

2. I really HATE cough drops. They make my teeth feel dirty. I did find some Dad's Root beer cough drops at the Dollar Tree. My kids and I loved them and of course I could never find them again.

3. It has been snowing here off and on for several days and I am really ready for Spring.
4. I rejoined Weight Watchers--again. It's the only plan that works for me. I had to wait months until I was really ready and knew I would actually WORK the plan.
5. I have been reading a lot of blogs lately. I don't make too many comments though. I feel so...anonymous when I comment. When I really want to tell a blogger something I find their email. It's so much more personal.
6. I am a little upset that it is chic to junk, recycle and re-purpose NOW when I've been doing it for years and years with no appreciation whatsoever.
7. I find myself not wanting to read the blogs where people have money to make whatever change they want at any little whim. Am I jealous? Maybe a little, but I don't think it takes any kind of creativity or imagination to redecorate when you have money at your disposal. Where is the challenge in that?
8. My friend at Revisionary Life likes to keep the tv on for white noise. I do too. My favorite show/white noise is NCIS. I do like to watch NCIS and I do. In fact I bought Seasons 1-8 for my birthday last year.
9. I HATE, HATE the stupid Viagra commercials. If I could do anything to stop them I would.
10. I have a family room full of treasures I have been collecting since December at estate sales and thrift stores and I haven't done anything with them.
11. I am considering opening an Etsy shop, but I don't know if I have the energy to do the work it takes.
12. I need a full time job soon, but I don't know if I have enough energy to work a full time job.
13. I had a miniature nervous breakdown when my cat started using the living room and dining room carpet for her litter box while I had my house on the market.
14. I ripped out the carpet myself and surprise there is asbestos tile in the dining room. Uh oh. No wonder the previous owners covered the hardwood floors and asbestos tile with carpet. The rooms are open and it's kind of patchy. I don't know what to do with it and I don't have the money to do anything anyway.
15. I teach computer classes at work (the library) but I can't even figure out my stupid DVD player with the 3 remotes and I really don't care.
16. I have 5 children, but two of them live with their dad in Texas and he has poisoned them against me so they don't talk to me. It breaks my mother's heart.
17. How bored are you?
I need a cool picture here->

18. My sister made me the beautiful quilt you see here and my coworker grew the tulips.
19. I am a California girl who was a Navy brat who ended up in the Pacific Northwest. I don't really know where my "hometown" is?
20. I am a librarian and its my dream job.

21. I have a really bizarre sense of humor. One of my favorite authors is Christopher Moore. He writes really funny strange quirky naughty novels. This one is really strange and good.

22. I like really hard alternative Christian music like Skillet, Kutless, Toby Mac, Third Day, Disciple, Red, but I also like the old hymns and used to sing in the choir at church. My daughter and I are going to the Rock and Worship Concert this Sunday.

23. My favorite food is...oh just about anything.
24. I really miss riding my bike and I don't know why I ever stopped.

25. I want to live at the beach. It's my heart's home.

Okay, 25 boring things that were running through my mind. You just got a picture of what it's like when I can't sleep at night. lol
Until next time,
Clara

Cold and grey day here

2012-02-08T14:55:00.000-08:00

I was going to take some photos, but its such a cold grey day I cleaned my coffee maker and my drains so I thought I'd share a time saving tip.

One of the hardest working appliances I own:

So I listen when the little light says "clean me". Actually, it doesn't talk, but if it did that would be cool!

I gather my ingredients:

White vinegar. NOT apple cider or any of those fun fancy vinegars you cook with.
Baking soda (it doesn't matter what brand they are all the same). Just don't use baking powder or you'll have a big mess).

Run around the house and shake or pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drains you want to clean.

Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the drain.

I very rarely measure stuff, but I've been doing it for years and in this case it just doesn't matter.

Clean your wonderful hard working coffee maker. You will end up with a pot of hot vinegar smelling water. Take that wonderful stuff and pour it down the more stubborn drain (my shower).
You will have to run at least two more pots of water through your coffee maker to get the vinegar taste out so use those on the other drains.

Nothing better than killing two birds with one stone OR one pot of hot water.
Most of you probably do this on a regular basis, but I really like combining tasks if I can so I have more time to sit around and read blogs and have a cup of fresh hot coffee.

For now,

Clara

Vintage Peeps and Neat Old Stuff

2012-01-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

Last weekend two of my Vintage Peeps and I created a retreat for ourselves. We've been doing this for the last ?? years. Just to get away and connect with each other. We hang out, watch movies, drink coffee and sometimes adult beverages (a real good Cupcake Merlot). We do handwork in the evening including quilting, embroidery and binding.

Here is a great link if you've forgotten your basic embroidery stitches.

I finished the top to the AUTUMN pillow by Crab Apple Hill. Here is a picture:

I still haven't picked out fabric for the pillow. I LOVE Crabapple Hill and my sister bought me three of these pillows. Unfortunately, I am missing Winter. I will have to remedy that. Here is the link to Crabapple Hill Studio.

It is also a tradition to watch the movie So I Married An Axe Murderer. This is not a horror flick. It is a Mike Myers (SNL comedian) and it is funny. It will supply you with endless quotes such as "HEED pants now!" and "Piper down!" and "His head is so big it has its own solar system!". They might not seem funny until you hear them in Mike Myers' Scottish brogue. Go ahead I dare you!

You might want a nice cup of warm apple cider. Oh and don't forget to put on your "pie pants" as my friend at Sunny Simple Life calls elastic waist pajama pants.

We always take one day to go antiquing and junkin' and its also our tradition to stop by our friend CP's shop in downtown Spokane called Neat Old Stuff. Her shop is a feast for the eyes and she ALWAYS has treasures for everyone's taste.
If I had not forgotten to take my iPhone/camera I would have taken some pictures to share with you. However, I did and I don't. Next time.

I have a question for you. I found out recently that bloggers like me (old or should I say Vintage who have mostly raised their children are called shelter bloggers). Well, okkkayy, but what does that mean? I asked my friends and we decided that since we've been doing this repurpose, recycle, do with what you have stuff for years and years that we are the most Excellent Vintage Peeps. So from now on, I will be using the term Vintage to describe myself. Like a fine wine or a beautiful antique we get better with age and experience. (shelter blogger??? what??)

For Now,
Vintage Clara

Disappearing posts

2012-01-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

I created a post the other day and *poof* it disappeared. I was so frustrated I just went and did something else. Painted the master bathroom. Master makes it sound large, but its not. It is a very small room. I left the original tile and painted it white. I was very disappointed with Dutch Boy paint. It took primer and three coats of paint to finish it and I'm still not happy with the coverage. Stick with Valspar from Lowes. I have had great luck with it.

New Year's Eve Eve

2011-12-30T20:39:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe we are on the verge of the New Year. This last one went so fast. Not necessarily a bad thing. 2011 brought a lot of changes and found me on my knees asking God for guidance more than usual. We've gotten to know each other a lot better.

We went to our Christmas Eve Service on Saturday and slept in Sunday morning. Opened presents and took a nap! Having raised five children, I am not used to naps on Christmas or any holiday for that matter. Quite can be good.

Christmas was very quiet compared to our usual chaotic melee. I had planned to go to visit my sister, but I couldn't make that work.

I have a special story to tell. Filling stockings is my favorite part of gift giving. My sister and I have filled each others stockings for several years. As usual, I had gathered goodies to fill my kids stockings. I pick little things up over months ahead f time because it can add up. I had forgotten to get the stockings out so I sent my oldest daughter to dig them out. She asked if she should get all 4, which would have included my stocking. I replied that I just needed 3 for her, her sister and brother because I didn't need to fill my own stocking. Santa filled the stockings and went to bed.
I was surprised in the morning when we got up and found that my stocking had been filled. My two daughters had gone out Christmas Eve and used some of their Christmas money to fill my stocking! There were all kinds of goodies in my stocking.
Junior Mints (my favorite), Carmex Lotion (smells heavenly), Hershey's Cookies and Cream, fluffy soft socks, A Christmas Story DVD (one of my favorites), The Big Bang Theory Season 4, AND a coupon for a foot rub!

Best of my darling angel girls (18 and 16) wrote me letters about how much they appreciate all I do for them. WOW! I won't post them here, but I tell you I cried. Good tears. They are such a blessing to me and then know me SO well.
My oldest daughter made me one of her personally decorated journals. I love it.
Here is a close up:

The back is equally charming. Isn't she talented?

Our candle lit dinner.

It's amazing how nice things look in the dark.

Cherry cheesecake for dessert. The edges got stuck to the pan a little, but it still tasted good.

God's has provided abundantly. You can't see the ugly floor in this picture. Yippee!

I want to wish you all Happy New Year! I pray for God's Blessing on each and every one of you this New Year!

For Now,
Clara