Blog hopping and old dreams

My mom's computer was having issues, so we packed it up and took it to be looked at. Which meant I brought out my laptop, which has been packed since August. On it, amongst other things, I found all of my favorite bookmarked blogs.

I spent a good portion of today and yesterday getting caught up. Plowing through tons of posts and photos. Ooooing and ahhhhing at the homes and crafts and art. I sighed a BIG sigh.

A few years ago Tammy and I started an Etsy shop and a blog. I had big dreams of a great online following, selling treasures I found, and having a blog with a 1000 readers. Tammy and I hit the Farm Chicks show and our dreams got even bigger. But, selling on Etsy was hard then (even harder now with the RIDICULOUS number of resellers on there- not even vintage or remotely handmade). I scoured flea markets and thrift stores, got a stock pile together, planned on a website, an LLC... and then... life got in the way. Things that I loved didn't sell. We moved to Maine. There wasn't as much time or energy to really get anything off the ground. I closed the Etsy shop. I sold some stuff, other stuff went to Good Will before the recent move back to Pennsylvania.

SIGH.

Looking through these blogs gives me the urge again. Sort of. I acknowledge that getting an internet business off the ground takes a lot of work. Daily posts, connecting, networking, giveaways and all that stuff. Branding yourself, finding a niche. I don't know what mine would be these days... I am so OVER the white trend, the "French is better than everything" theme, the blogs that do nothing but repost other people's photos (and get tons of attention and comments). I don't get it.

SIGH.

But, and there is a but, the urge is there. To go thrifting and searching and hoarding. I love old stuff, old bits of metal and paper and books. Buttons and ribbons and old photos. I still have visions of a general store, with boxes and jars filled with all kinds of mixed media junk. Ack!! it's a sickness!!

So tell me, what kind of shop would you start? What kind of shop do you wish you could find? What would you buy and sell? Do tell.

Merry Christmas

I hope you and your family enjoy the season!

 

 

 Our annual gingerbread house.

My Irish twin, celebrating her birthday on 12/23. We are the same age until Feb 12!

 

What did Santa bring you?

Love and Despair

I didn't know what to title this post. I'm not sure what to say. With yet another school shooting, there is much grief this season.

So much grief in the time of year when we celebrate the amazing gift our Lord gave to us, his only begotten Son. And yet, in Connecticut, there are parents suffering the most horrendous loss one can imagine. Or can't imagine, really. I can't even wrap my head around it. I can't watch it. It makes me cry.

I am sad for those kids and adults who were shot down. I am sad for the shooter, such a sad and lost soul. It seems like just another example of mental health issues that could not be treated. Or were not addressed for lack of funding or availability.

And yet, imagine all those souls, bathing in the glory of God! I imagine their guardian angels, lined up, waiting to embrace their souls. I imagine God welcoming them home. Not just the victims, but the shooter also. In my heart of hearts, I know this is what happened. I know these children and adults are just fine. I can only hope that someday their parents and families will know this too. In this great sea of despair, I know God can bring them comfort.

I will hug my bristly, shaved head boys today. I will kiss my husband. I will tell my parents and siblings how much I love them.

I will continue to pray for all those involved in the shooting. The children, the adults, their families. I pray for the soul of the shooter too. For his father and brother. They all need it. We all do.

I will pray for an intelligent and tolerant discourse on gun control. The right to bear arms doesn't neccesarily need to be a free-for-all. It can be intelligently and thoughtfully done.

Hugs, Lee

Woahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Where the heck has the time gone??

Well, let me fill you in. First, I have been seriously going through creative withdrawal! I had all of these idea for Christmas gifts, ornaments, etc.... Whoooooooooosh- right out the window they went. Nothing accomplished. Nada.

The reality is, I won't do much until we buy a house. It's just I need quiet time and the ability to spread out to get anything done. So, I'll keep reading my Somerset Studio and drool.

The kids are adjusting. Jason may have ADD. He tends to wander around in class during free time. He does just fine one on one and in small groups, though. I'm not sure what to do to help him. I'm just glad he's in a small charter school.

Adam is doing well, except suffice it to say we're having bathroom issues... like holding issues. KWIM?? Add that to a fever and cold = one ugly picture. Miralax daily anyone??

Everyone in the household is sick, which landed my Mom is the hospital until about 10 minutes ago. COPD is unforgiving. So, if you smoke, try to quit. And keep trying. Over and Over. Because Miss COPD will bite you in the proverbial @ss one day.

Best of all- the boys have lice. Seriously. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. We have never had this issue, and I wouldn't have even had known to look except that last week, when I picked up son #2 with a fever from school, I heard the school nurse talking to a parent on the phone about it. I looked online for images and info, then when looking in the boys' hair. Yup. Lice. Oh- and that was Sunday. Monday I spent the day in the ER with Mom (see above), waited until she was admitted, then had a job interview at 1 p.m. at the same place. In my barn clothes. With no makeup on. SIGHHHHHHHHHHHH.

So, two shaved heads  and two doses of Nix, we still have live ones every day. I had to go out and buy a magnifying lamp so I can see the damned things. And then I nit-pick- literally.

The good news is, while I may be going blind trying to see lice, I will have a cool lamp to use when I make something crafty. Someday. Maybe.

Thanksgiving- a little late.

Ther are many things to be thankful for this season- my job, having health insurance, healthy kids, loving parents, siblings, in-laws, co-workers who get me through the day... The house finally SOLD!

I worked a lot, missed the kids and hubby this weekend, but am thankful for the leftovers that I just had for breakfast (shhhhhhhhhhh. I am known to eat weird stuff for breakfast.. but hey, if it's hot and yummy, who cares?!)

So, here are a few pictures to share. (I am in serious need of fillers and botox to fix that frown line!)

Adam giving a new meaning to "dirt nap." He fell asleep on the front lawn about 2 weeks ago.

Family photos:

So, now on to the task of changing drivers licenses, insurance, and tags. What a pain!

Then, Christmas shopping!! Any of you done yet?? DO tell me your best bargains!

Hugs, Lee

Oh yessss! Can you guessss??? Progress!

Oh yessssssssssssssss. Can you guessssssssssssssssss??

Finally. We are going to settlement next week. Thank you God! I have been praying and praying. And feeling forgotten. And reminded that I'm not, nor have I ever been (thank you Ramona!) My heart has been full of hurt, empty with loneliness, and shriveling up (or is it down?). I know rationally that I am OK, things are OK, and after Hurricane Sandy (amongst other things) that I am luckier than most.

Still... it's been a long and lonely haul. Lack of sleep. Lack of friends. Lack of funds. You name it. But- and there is a but- living back home has given me and the kids a chance to spend lots of time with my parents. We get to help them out, doing things that are getting challenging for them. In return, my boys run around like banshees, play in the hayloft, drive the Kabota, and spend lots of quality time with aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Not too shabby.

I will miss my Maine house for sure! It's big (too big), but I had a great bedroom and dressing room. I had a room all to myself for my artsy ideas. I had a huge laundry room that most of my friends drooled over. I had amazing views, an orchard, and a huge barn.

But is was far away. It was too big. It's expensive to heat. And the cost of living up there- sheesh!!!

S, now what?  Well, as you can imagine, our wallets took quite a hit. So, we'll spend time here, save some money, and hopefully start looking in the Spring.

Thanks to all of you who have written encouraging words. Thanks you Ramona for the coffe card, and the private messages on FB. Thank you Chris, for being OK with moving back to Pennsylvania. Thank you Christine for helping out with the kids! And a BIG thank you to my parents for everything!

HUGS, Lee

PS- wanna see my house in Maine? LIKE me on FB and you can browse!

In desperate need of some sanity!

Whew- the time is flying by. Two weeks and nothing is changed, and everything is the same.

We are still in limbo, hoping settlement goes through next week.

We are secretly hoping it gets moved a week, so the physical act of moving is easier for the both of us (and please, don't remind me that we've known about the settlement date for two months. I know. Oh boy, do I know. Maybe someone else pretends not too?)

I know all I do is complain lately. I'm trying to find good in all of this-  I really am. Except, I'm not sure what good fighting with my husband does. Or being so emotionally and physically tapped out that I could cry most days... Or missing the boys' homework, after school things, and bedtimes.

But there are good things going on... maybe not just with the house. I have helped my Mom purge the kitchen cabinets. We ended up with two boxes for the thrift store. We even have empty shelves right now!! It's easy to clean out stuff when it isn't yours, when there are no senitmental memories attached to random ashtrays that someone used to use. I am very practical in lots of ways, and getting rid of junk is one of them. When my Mom waffles, I say "give it to me!" And it goes in the circular file!

I have also had the pelasure of watching my oldest son ride in his first show- in the Walk class. Like, walk only!! It was so sweet!

So honestly, hang in there with me. Say some prayers for me, shoot me some love. I could use it. That, and a little sanity.

On Being Plagued- and Letting it GO!

To say things are not going very smoothly with the house would be an understatement. Things just keep coming up. Last week, every single day brought a new dilemma. I cried a lot. I felt a little like Job (I know, grossly exaggerated, but true). How was I supposed to keep my chin up, confident that things would turn out OK and that we were doing the right thing, when I kept getting heaping helpings of crap?

I mean, I'm a good person, right? I try to live my life the best way I can. I say my prayers. I treat other well. I help out whenever I can. I am grateful for my family, my job, and the roof over my head.

So, WHY OH WHY, does so much seem to be going wrong? Do I look at it as a sign that we aren't doing the right thing? Have I not been listening enough, not paying attention to His whispers, His taps on the shoulder? Do I take it personally and come to the conclusion that this must be punishment for something...

Well, I could do that. I could go by the idea that God controls every little bit of my life and has His fingers in everything. That all of this negative stuff is piled on because I deserve it.  I mean, I really do believe deep down that God is not really interested in punishing us. I believe He is more interested in us growing in Him. But, there's that little bit of doubt wiggling in the back of my head.

Nope. Instead, I chose to look at it in the "God helps those who helps themselves" vein of thought. I realized that I was holding on tightly to the idea of "what we should sell for" "what the house is worth" "why this" and "why that" blah blah blah. SO tightly that I was white-knuckled, hand-cramped, sweaty, fearful and breathless...

And then came the epiphany... with a little help from Shannon... and listening to Him. I realized that holding on wasn't the answer. It wasn't about the "what ifs" and the "what do we do nows?" It was about understanding that there was another direction to go, another way to look at all of the problems.

Chris and I let it go. We opened our hands (figuratively), and our hearts (literally) and let it go. We punted the whole thing back to Him. We realized that we had to let go in order to go forward. We were held back by our own desires. We were caught up in the whole process... You know when you walk into a spiders' web, and it wraps around your head, and you spin and spin, arms whorling, hands flailing, trying to get it off? Yeah, it was like that. But, once we freed ourselves from the stickiness, we took a deep breath and walked away. Emotionally, we just let it go, and it was freedom!! It was like all (ok, just some) of the stress immediately lifted. I felt like I could breathe again. We realized it was OK.

I'm not going to pretend that the whole thing has been easy. But it sure has been eye-opening. We still have closing to get through, but we are really focussed on what comes next!

So tell me, what are you holding on to??

Hugs, Lee

Ghosts and Goblins

The ghosts and goblins have been messing with us a bit, I think... it's getting to that time of year, right? Little wrenches have been thrown into the selling of the house, but as of now, we are still set to go to settlement on Halloween! Oh, the irony!!

My children, for the most part, have been good boys, not too goblin-y! School is going well, and they seem to be making friends. Thank God for having cousins close by, or I think we might be having more problems with loneliness. We don't know anyone yet to have playdates with. I hope that changes in the next few months.

As for the ghosts, well, that's what you encounter when you move back into your childhood home. It's odd, to move back as an adult, because to my parents, I'm still their child. I have to say, the parent-child role thing doesn't really come up, but there are shades of it everywhere. Sometimes that's a good thing. Sometimes it's not.

We have been really blessed, coming back and landing for a bit while we get the house sold. It is an amazing time for the kids, getting to know my parents and life on the farm. They are positively blossoming with the experiences here:

• Riding the ponies.
• Helping with barn chores.
• Learning to be comfortable with animals.
• Playing almost every day with cousins, and getting to know aunts and uncles better.
• Getting really dirty.
• Learning that haylofts are fun, but straw and hay can be sharp on soft skin.
• Heading to the local Amish farm for fresh produce, especially gigantic pumpkins!!

And so our journey continues. Giving up the farm in Maine and moving back to Pa. has definitely been bittersweet. I'm sure when we move into a house, with no barn, no fields, no animlas, that the reality will really sink in. But we can always return to my parents' place for a fix!

Under Contract!!

Well, it happened! About a week ago we got an offer, and came to an agreement this weekend. The contracts are signed, and now we just have to hear the results of the inspection and appraisal. I don't anticipate any real problems, but.... you never know. If things all go well, our settlement date is 10/31- Halloween!!

I also got a job, and am in the middle of getting my Pennsylvania licensure. Let's just say that the state is not fast, and doesn't make it easy. I have been drug tested and fingerprinted. I think it's appropriate, given my job, however, in this day and age of digital info- it really should be speedier. That, and if PA was a compact state, I could already be working on my Maine license. But, nooooooooooooooo, you have to obtain a slow-as-molasses PA license.

This delay will at least give me time to run up to Maine and finish packing. Ugh. Double ugh.

Can I just say I hate cortisol?? Seriously, my levels must be through the roof- and my weight is following. Crap. I have put on 5 pounds in one week. I did start running again, but only twice last week. The kids and I farm-sat for my parents this weekend, so the days that I should have been running were filled with barn chores and RAIN. Lots and losts of rain- like build an ark rain. Oh well.

Today is unbelievably lovely- in the 70s, sunny, bright blue sky, and breezy. Just like Maine. Maybe I brought the cool weather with me??

Hugs, Lee

Clenched Teeth and Smiles

So... moving, yeah. It was an ordeal. No lie. My last post was cheerfully written, but honestly it's been a mixed bag.

We spend most of the spring getting the Maine house ready for sale- painting, cleaning, installing a new bathroom that I'll never get to enjoy. I packed up the SUV five times and hauled it to Good Will. I probably took as much to the dump. And still the house has a lot in it, which I will have to go back to pack up once the house sells (and it WILL sell!) That's sort of the kicker here- I will have to pack up everything- move it down, then move it again at some point when we buy a house.

I will tell you it is a bit surreal, moving back into my childhood home! My boy are in my old room, and I am in my sister's old room. Weird. But familiar, in the most amazing way. I know where things are. I know the steps that creak. I know how unbelievably HOT the water is. I know the sounds and smells of the place. Some things have changed, and some things haven't. It is home.

We drove down Thursday a week ago. The kids started school that Monday. We had to go in a bit late, finish giving the school what seemed like endless paperwork, then the kids went to their classes. I could tell Jason was nervous by the look on his face. He walked slowly. He looked liked he was going to balk. Every single pair of eyes in the class were on him. How intimidating! He handled it gracefully. I, on the other hand, burst into tears as soon as I got into the hallway.

Then we headed to Adam's school, about 12 minutes away. He began to cry as soon as we got in there. It was tough. So much guilt for moving my kids away from Maine and their friends- even though I know it's what we needed to do. I left him in the care of the teachers and turned my back and left. And cried some more.

I think, along with the guilt, that the physical and emotional tolls of the move a few days prior caught up with me that day. I came home and basically did nothing, cried on and off, then took a nap.I got a lot of support from my Facebook friends, who assured my children are resilient. And they are!

The next day, both boys were fine about going to school. No major meltdowns. No tears (from any of us).

So, next on the list is my new job. I'm just waiting on the paperwork from the state. IN the meantime, I'll have lots to share about life on the farm!

We've landed

Just a quick note- boy has this past week been a whirlwind!! We moved down to PA a week ago Thursday, back with my parents. It's kind of weird being home, and kind of nice. The boys are sleeping in my old room. Chris and I share my sister's old room. The cats are settling in, as is the dog. There are boxes everywhere, and I can't find anything.

In the past week I've been cleaning, unpacking , organizing (sorta), had a job interview, and meeting with HR the nest day, started the kids in a new school (which requires me to take them to and from every day until the bussing is set up), called my friend to turn down one job, accepted another job, sent my license information off, had a great visit with my aunt and cousin, and went to the Maryland State Fair!! WHEW.

Through all of this, is has been hot- at least to us used to the glory of Maine's summers.

Oh- and we've had 4 showings of the house this week. One (crappy) offer, and a strong possibilty of two more!! woo hoo.

That's it in a nutshell! I hope to be able to post more often, bust out some art supplies, and be creative. But first I have to find my supplies.....

On Turning 9

In the midst of all of this packing/moving chaos, Jason turned 9. We had a small party here at the house, and a "friend" party at a local party place.

It was bittersweet, because Jason won't see these kids until next summer, and I won't see the parents until then either. I'll really miss some of my adult friends. Finally, after almost 3 years I have some friends I really enjoy...

I'm still feeling a bit confused, a mixture of sadness and apprehension, with some excitement thrown in. You know the Van Halen song "JUMP?" Forget jumping, I'm doing a flying cannonball!!

See you in the water!

Our Barn is Empty

My barn is empty. My dad came and picked up the ponies and my one, remaining chicken. Anyone who has animals knows how much your day revolves around the routine of the barn. Up in the morning to feed, out before dinner to put them out. Now, it's clean and empty and waiting for the next owner's animals.

The house is getting emptier too. There are boxes everywhere. Most pictures are down and wrapped. Soon I will be cleaning out the refrigerator and the dry goods.

Wow- so much has changed in the past few weeks! I feel like I made the decision to take the job and move back, and now everything is snowballing! Chris will go back with me, at leats for now. He has some job offers. Of course, one was up here... now that we've made the decision to leave. I said as much to him, and his reply was "We're not supposed to be here." (I almost fell over). But that's kind of where I am too. We gave it a good shot- just short of three years.

Now, we just need the house to sell. Our realtor told us that the first 5 weeks of a house being on the market is an indicator of selling it. Well, we've had 9 showings- that's pretty good, right?? But no offers. St. Joseph #1, who helped us sell our other house, got scooped away when the township reshaped the banks on the road (including our front yard). #2 is out there, with wishes wrapped around him. I'm saying a novena... please let an offer come this month!!

I'll be going back to my old job. I'll be going back to my old house (my parents' place). I'll be back in the places that are familiar to me. It should be interesting. Hang on and come along for the ride!!

BIG changes coming!

Well, after three days of agonizing, I decided to take a leap of faith and gave my notice at work. As some of you suggested, I really thought about the pros and cons, and what was the most important item to consider.

This decision has lead to a flurry of activity! I am applying for jobs, lining up interviews, and trying to get my nursing license re-instated. I am withdrawing the kids from school, registering them in another school, and planning Jason's 9th birthday party. I am still packing up more stuff. I am still purging, Whew! Lots and lots of decisions to make.

The kids and I will head back to my mom and dad's to live until the house sells. Chris will stay here, work, and keep the place going. (We've had 8 showings in 4 weeks, with another schedule for Monday). It's not going to be easy, but it certainly is do-able.

We will miss Maine. But we are up for the next challenge too!

So, I'll try to keep you posted along the way!

Trying to Find My Way

You know that saying "You can't go home again"? Although I moved out of state and back before, I'm finding that this time it's true.

The first time I moved was after I was married. My first husband and I moved to Boston, where he was in school. A few short years went by. I learned to love Boston after 5 years and feel at home there. But, our marriage didn't last, and I moved back home to lick my wounds. It was difficult, being an adult and moving back with my parents. There were struggles between the child role and the adult role.

I went the nursing school. Moved out to an apartment. It was the first time I lived completely on my own. It was great. Time passed, I met my husband. (We bought a house, married, had a baby. In that order.) I loved that house the minute I saw it. We walked through it, pulled out of the driveway, and I told him "I want this house." We bought it that night.

Fast forward to now. You know the story. Husband got homesick for Maine. We decided to give it a chance and moved here. In hindsight, probably not the smartest move as the economy was already taking a hit. Jobs have been hard to come by. Husband travels a lot. I am homesick. The house is for sale.

So, getting back to the saying, I had last week off and packed the kids up for the long drive back to Pa. to get the lay on the land. I have decided- pretty much anyway- to move back before the house sells. To take a better paying job, to get a work history started, to get the kids enrolled in school. But husband and I have been really struggling with this decision. Are we doing the right thing? Will the kids be OK?

 I had this idea that somehow, by doing this, I would have this moment where I knew. That there would be this shining moment- the clouds would part, the God-light would shine down, the bells would ring and I would know. I thought I'd be super excited, that I'd say to myself "I'm moving home!"

Yeah, that so didn't happen. I felt more confused. Where do we want to live? Where do we enroll the kids? Do I take the job (day/midnight is going to be very difficult). How are we going to all fit in my parents' house- two kids, two adults, a dog,  and three cats? What roles will we have? Who will take my kids to school when I'm on midnight shift, if husband is out of town? The list goes on and on.

I keep waiting for God to tap me on the shoulder. To whisper in my ear, like He has done in the past. But, nothing. Nada. Only the dull roar of my own heartbeat. Of my uncertainty.

Now, that doesn't mean He hasn't. It may mean I am too caught up in my own stuff to hear Him. Did I miss it somewhere? Did I miss it when we moved here? Or am I missing it now? Are we supposed to stay or go?

On one hand, I believe He has a plan for me. On the other hand, I believe that life it what I make it, and He'll be standing right behind me all of the way. I don't know. I'm confused and scared.

So, tell me. What have you done in this type of situation? Do you have any advice? Because I could really use it!

hugs, Lee

One, Two, Three

After finally getting our house on the market, we have collectively given a BIG sigh of relief...

I have begun to work on my Soul Book. Problem is... I packed about 95% of my supplies. So, I'm working with a very limited supply of stuff. However, I must say that it has forced me to be creative and work with the things I have at hand. Here are the first three pages:

Before and After

The left hand page has layers of paint- I had to re-do it a few times. First I shaded the rose with a burnt umber- yech..... wrong color. Then I tried a black Stabilio pencil, too dark... Then I washed over with creamy white Glimmerz watercolor- not impressed with that stuff and it is expensive... Then, a color of plain ol' white paint- prefect!

Before and after

 The is raw carboard, with a little paint on the right. I probably should have put some matte medium on it, but I liked the raw feel.

However, you can see how the green Sharpie marker bled on the cardboard...

Before and After

 I really disliked the right hand border of rose fabric. I liked the idea- but not the end result! The background paper is vintage wallpaper, which made it possible for me to use an exacto knife and carefully cut through the fabric and cut if off. Voila!

My shirt in this photo did not match the overall color scheme. So, I sprayed the photo with matte fixative, and then painted over it. That, and my arm is missing... so I painted a pretend one! The butterflies are cut our of wallpaper. I would LOVE a butterfly punch this size- so let me know if you have one or know of one!

Enjoy.

Grace Under Fire

I took care of a wonderful lady yesterday, Mrs. P. She is 72, sick, with a broken bone. She came to us from a sister facility to have a PICC line inserted. This is a special IV that lasts for weeks and is good for long term antibiotics, etc.

It's also good for patients who are "hard sticks." If you're a nurse, you know what I mean. If you're a patient like this, you know who you are.

According to her, before coming to us she'd been stuck 30 times. 30! With an IV needle.

Her voice cracked when she told me the story. She swallowed over and over, trying not to cry. I felt like crying for her. My heart broke a little with each detail she gave.

"I try not to complain" she said. "Usually I don't say anything, but it hurt." Then she quoted the policy of most institutions- "And I know," she said, "You are only allowed to stick 2 times on each side." Why so many sticks- I don't know, I really don't, but it's not something I would do.

Picture it. Your grandmother, being brave, because she knows she needs the IV. Over and over. Thirty sticks.

Normally this makes me mad. Nurses are patient advocates, and it is our JOB to protect you and be your voice when you are hospitalized. This time, beside wanting to cry and having to step away for a minute, I marvelled at how brave and strong she was! This woman was one. tough. cookie.

During the procedure, I spoke with her. I rubbed her shoulder. I brushed her hair back from her face. I whispered in her ear. I asked about her "old duffer" of 55 years, her family, her pets. I tried to take her mind off of things. In the end, we were successful. It tooks was a long procedure. She was a trooper.

When we moved her to the stretcher, she thanked us. She was teary-eyed, tired, hungry. She said "I love you girls." In that moment, she loved us for the care we gave her. For the attention, for the thoughfulness, and for the comfort.  I loved her spirit and fortitude. I loved her big heart. I loved her grace.

Thank you Mrs. P, for another life lesson. It's an honor to know you.

Hugs, Lee

Destashing- Check out my eBay stuff and help a girl out!

Oh MY!! I am a packrat! I have stuff I forgot I even had...

Like some of you out there, I'm sure, I have found that my artistic interests have changed over time- but the stash just grows larger!! I've listed some stuff on eBay. Go bid if you're interested, and if you win, let me know and I'll pack you more goodies to go along with the item!!

Woman's Portrait Stamp

 Stampin' Up! Simple Seasons

 Stampin' Up- All Around Alphabet

 Stampin' Up!- Elegant Beginnings

Stampin' Up!- Take Shape

 Hearts and Circles

 K&Company Designer Expressions

LOT of 3 scrapbook guides

Thanks for looking!!

It's Official

The house is on the market. After lots of blood, sweat and tears- and some awesome help from my sister, mom, and husband- the house is now on Realtor.com! We're still waiting for the sign for the lawn.

The last week of June, my mom and sister came up. We had one bedroom that was in really rough shape that I didn't have the energy to do. So, hubby patched the plaster, Christine put up textured wallpaper, and I painted. Then we moved furniture. All in all, we knocked it out in about 2 days! Talk about exhausting!

BEFORE

AFTER

My family left Sunday, and Chris and I cleaned for two days. Like baseboards, windowsills etc. nitty gritty cleaning, due to the fact the photographer was coming on Tuesday. Of course I went overboard, I mean, it's not like you'll see dust in the photos, but part of me felt like it had to be all DONE. The photographer spent about 2 hours here, and the listing went live yesterday.

The new bathroom

There are a few errors in the listing, and I'm sure we can get that straightened out. I'm not overly exctied about the description- are more details better? Or is there a method to saying less? There were also duplicate photos listed, which is a pet peeve of mine. But, the ball is rolling...

Our bedroom

this is a small bedroom off our room, which we have turned into a dressing room.

So, please say a prayer for the house to sell quickly! I'd like toget down to Pa. before school starts.

Hugs, Lee

UPDATE- we booked our first showing after just one day on the market, and not even a sign out yet. Let's hope this is a sign of things to come!!