The Kids Reaction to A Death

Last Saturday our neighbor, "Grandma", passed away and today is her funeral. Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Holly are raising their great grandaughter who is one of Mallory's best friends. I just wanted to share the 3 kids different reactions to Grandma's death.

1. Ezie was quite, but later wanted to call and check on Earl's mom.


2. Mallory has been very distant with her friend since Grandma was diagnosed with cancer last July. The sicker Grandma got the more Mallory has stayed away. When she heard Grandma was not going to make it she felt very guilty. Since Grandma died I haven't been able to keep Mallory home. She is back to basically living next door just like before Grandma got sick. Mallory has been supportive and a good friend.


3. Jace's reaction is the one that I will remember forever though. Little children have a way of coping and reacting that always amaze me. I told him that Grandma had died and that she wouldn't be over at her house anymore. I explained that Grandma had gotten sick and couldn't wake up. He looked at me and said, "So Grandma melted, she melted and won't come back anymore." I was shocked and amazed at his analogy. He had watched his snowman melt a few days before Grandma's death and new that it wouldn't be back so I guess that must have been what he was thinking of. He told me he didn't like that Grandma had melted and that it made him sad. The next day Jace asked me if we could "talk" about Grandma. Jace had an idea, he wanted to know if a Super Strong Doctor could please give Grandma some medicine and fix her. He wanted to know if those talking germs that he saw on tv killed Grandma and if he should wash his hands more. I told him that the Doctor's did try to fix Grandma, but yes those germs were just to strong and that it's always good to wash our hands, but those aren't the same kind of germs that Grandma had. Jace told me again that he didn't like it and that it made him sad that Grandma melted and then he went off to play.

I'm sure after the funeral today the kids will have different feeling and questions. I am proud of them though in how they have been supportive and a good friend to our neighbor.

A Couple of Cuties

Merry Christmas!

My grandson Anthony decorating their Christmas tree

Another grandson, Chad, Jr., sitting under the tree.

Chad, Jr.'s first visit with Santa

The Kids Visit with Santa

Last night we took the kids to the mall to see Santa. I didn't think we were going to get to go, but, Yay!, we borrowed a car and we all 5 got to go. Jace is asking Santa for a big Purple Present. He doesn't care what's in it he just wants a big purple present. Easy enough! Mallory isn't telling anyone what she asked Santa for because she wants to prove to her friends that Santa is real. Of course he's real! The kids all only asked for one thing and we'll see if tomorrow morning if their wishes came true! Now I'm off to sew some more because I have gifts to make to take back home. We leave in 3 more days! Yay!

Have a Wonderful, Safe and Blessed Christmas Eve!

Just a quick and random fact: "A Visit from St. Nicholas, better known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," was published in the Troy Sentinel on Dec. 23, 1823.
Today that poem turns 186.
It was first published anonymously, but was later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore.

Earl's hometown it Troy, NY. Every year he reminds me of this and every year the newspaper prints the story on the front page. I think it's a nice tradition.

I Have Witnessed the Magic of Christmas

I don't usually blog about our family problems, as it is so much nicer to blog about happy things, but I to share this story I have to blog about some bad things.

Earl and I have had a rough couple of years financially. We honestly had no money to buy our kids Christmas presents. I have been sewing and crocheting like crazy to make things (that's why I haven't been blogging), but I can only sew so much. I didn't know what we were going to do for our little ones this Christmas in regards to "S". Ezie and Mallory are wonderful about understanding that we don't have money, but they're still kids and they still want real toys not just things that mom made.

So I just wanted to share with you some of the wonderful miracles that we have been blessed with in the last week and to let you know that there are some wonderful, giving people out there that I will be eternally grateful to for making our family have a blessed and wonderful Christmas.

1. My mom bought me and the 3 kids bus tickets to Kansas and is letting us stay with her for 3 weeks plus some money for food along the way. Mom, it's been a long time since you've had a house full...you may regret this gift!
2. My dad sent us our Christmas money early so I was able to order the kids each a nice gift from "S".
3. Someone left a laundry basket full of food on our front porch the other night and said it was from "Santa".
4. Two of my kids and a friend gave us a total of $230.00 to use for Christmas and our trip.
5. The kids school adopted Ezie and Mallory and yesterday they dropped off 2 huge bags full of presents and a $65.00 gift certificate to the local grocery store.

You don't know how much all of the kindness that people have shown us has meant to me and Earl. It is hard, embarrassing and very depressing to be in this position and normally I wouldn't share any of this with my blogging friends, but I am so grateful and so touched by the kindness of others that I had to share some Christmas "Magic" with you.

Christmas, Snowmen and Sewing

We had a nice time the other night with all of the kids and grandkids here for Christmas. It was busy, fun and exhausting! I forgot to take pictures of the things I made, but here is some of the stuff.....12 pillowcases, 12 mice ornaments, 7 building blocks, 6 hotpads, 4 tissue cases, 3 drawstring bags, 3 crocheted dishcloths, 2 crocheted scarves, 2 baby blankets, 2 covered photo albums, 1 lap quilt, 1 baby bib, 1 tote bag, and I'm almost finished with a crocheted hat, scarf and another dishcloth. I think that's all. I still have so much more to get done!!!!

Here is a picture of Jace, Ezie and Mal with their snowman after it snowed last week.

My kids love the snow!

Here is my grandson, Anthony, with his snowman that him and his momma made.

Here is the fabric covered Grandma's Brag Books that I made. It turned out pretty nice, if I may say so myself.

I hope the recipients like them!!
There is a slot to put a piece of cardstock with the child's name and BD.

I just used the little $1.00 photo albums that Wal-Mart sells.

Okay, I have to go get busy. Have a wonderful day!!!

Today is the Day!

We're having a unusually early Christmas this year,

but with 8 kids, 5 spouses and 9 grandkids

all having different schedules this was the day that

worked out to have everyone over for Christmas.

I have so much to do today.

Clean (I really need an elf!!),

cook (a few of the kids favorite things:

beef stroganoff, broccoli soup, and cheesecake),

finish sewing (I'm still not done with a few gifts)

and then wrap everything.

So wish me luck,

have a great day

and

I'd better go get busy!

We are still having Christmas with the 3 little ones on Christmas day,

cause you know,

Santa can't come this early

and when we go to Kansas we're having

Christmas with my parents and siblings.

Yay!!!

Sometimes I Amaze Myself!

Two years ago in December I had cut out these squares to make a blanket for my grandaughter Olivia. The squares have been sitting in a baggie ever since. I decided I would finally finish this blanket for Olivia for Christmas and I was so relieved when I remembered I had taken a picture of the layout and that I had the pieces stacked in the right order. Yay Me! I'm so glad I had a smart day 2 years ago so that I'll have an easier day today! Better get busy sewing!!

Have a great day!!!

20 Days and Counting

My mom bought bus tickets for me, my 3 little ones and my oldest grandaughter to go to Kansas for a 3 week vacation. Yay for my mom!!!! We are leaving in 20 days, Dec. 27 (Lexie's 19th BD)and arriving in Wichita at 12:30 on December 29. I haven't been home in almost 10 years and I am so looking forward to this trip!! My much older brother (hee!hee!), Mike,is turning 50 on January 7 and mom wanted all of us 6 kids to be home for his birthday party. I will get to see my 3 sisters and 2 brothers and their spouses, my parents, niece's, nephews, my Nana and hopefully lots of other friends and relatives while I'm there. We're going to have Christmas together, a baby shower for my niece and then of course my brothers birthday party. Lexie, Jake and Anthony are going to be going to, but they are flying out a week after I leave. Earl probably isn't going to get to join us (I'm pouting) because his second job, who is also our landlord, won't give him a week off to come. Hopefully they'll change their minds in the next few days.....you never know.

Anyway, I'm so excited and so thankful to my mom for giving me and the kids this wonderful trip!!!

We're Getting in the Spirit

We're getting in the Christmas spirit this weekend. I've been sewing and crocheting gifts and the kids have watching Christmas DVD's. We've all been going around the house singing Christmas carols. I just need an elf to please come help me clean the house. The fairies don't seem to want to help me so maybe an elf will???

One of Mallory's friends had a Ginger Bread House Make and Take Party yesterday. Now I think that her friends mother is absolutely crazy because she had 30 kids at her house to decorate gingerbread houses. This mom even made all of the gingerbread from scratch. All she asked was that each child bring a bag of candy to share with the others for decorating.

This is a picture of Mallory's gingerbread house and I think her brothers stuck the car next to it.

Then we had snow yesterday. The kids have been out for over an hour this morning playing with our neighbor. They are having so much fun! Jace LOVES the snow.

This is a picture looking outside of my computer room window of the snow.

If anyone needs some quick and fun Christmas gift ideas make sure and check out Twyla and Lindsey's blog, Two Crazy Crafter's and also Aunt Pitty Pat's blog. They all have some really neat ideas for Christmas.

Fairies, Birds and Mice....Oh My! An Enchanted Ornament Swap

Val from Yarni Gras hosted an Enchanted Ornament Swap and as usual, I couldn't pass it up.

I even won one of these little mushrooms from Val.

It is so cute and my first mushroom too!

Thanks Val!!

(I borrowed your picture too)

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the person who sent to me was my sweet blogger friend Missy from Fairy Child Heirlooms. I received a beautiful dish towel that she made, some yummy peppermint bark that Missy and her girls made and then the most beautiful little fairy ornament.

I just think she is so pretty! She reminds me of fairies from storybooks that I looked at as a child. This little fairy is not getting put up at Christmas but she is going to be out all year long where I can enjoy her.

Thanks Missy for the wonderful package!!


Here is what I sent to my secret partner, Jennie from J. Nichelle. The first thing on her list of things she liked was birds. I made a couple different things before I came up with this little cone that I filled with a bird and some other doodads.

Then I made her the little mouse in the walnut shell ornament.

It reminds me of Thumbelina.

and then I sent her kids a couple of my mice candy cane holders.

Thanks Jen for letting me borrow your photos! They turned out a lot better than mine did. I had fun with this swap and if you like nature based and enchanted ornaments

Val is hosting a year around swap for 2010.

It is called "A Year of Enchantment" and every month there will be a different theme and by the end of 2010 you will have 12 enchanting ornaments for your tree.

Be sure and stop by Val's swapper blog to get more info and sign up for the swap.

Introducing YoMomma

On Facebook I play a game called YoVille and my name is YoMomma. Everyday I have to take my cupcakes out of the oven and visit my friends and I earn YoCash so I can buy furniture and clothes. I have to admit I'm addicted to the game. I get to earn lots of money and decorate rooms in my house however I want AND my house is always clean! I have to admit I spend way to much time not only on my YoVille stuff, but on Earl (YoDaddy) and the kids (Bob? and da Mal Pal) too. I'm the person who gets everyones coins while their at school and work in real life.

This is me in my living room of my house. I have an apartment too.

This is me with a different hairstyle and clothes on and I'm with Earl in his living room.

This is Mallory in her new 50's diner looking kitchen that I designed for her.

I Love playing this game and one of the new features is that it lets me take pictures of me and other YoVillians. I have a couple of me and some blogger friends too, but I'm not sure if they want to be seen in their YoVillian state OR if they want anyone to know that they are addicted or getting hooked on playing YoVille. Anyway, I just thought I'd share my little fantasy life with you all. Oh, and you can always join me on Facebook and become a Yovillian too! I'd love to have more neighbors!!

Crafts, Decorating and Family Time

I've just been sewing and decorating this weekend and of course taking some naps here and there. Here is a picture of the kids peeling apples the night before Thanksgiving. They made an apple pie that turned out really yummy! Good job guys!

Chubby Baby Car Seat Cover GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Chubby Baby Car Seat Cover GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Charm Design Bags and Totes $50 gift card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Charm Design Bags and Totes $50 gift card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

I hope everything had a great Thanksgiving! We had a big dinner, lots of leftovers and a great family day. Only my son Daniel and his family came over, but it was nice to spend some time with just them.

This is a picture of a Thanksgiving Eve about 15 years. It is my Grandma, me, my 3 sisters (Stacey, Robyn and Cathy) and my niece Jessica. We all met at my sister Robyn's house and cooked together. A nice memory!

Just a fun note: My mom celebrated Thanksgiving in Australia. She is on her second work/fun trip over there and cooked Thanksgiving dinner for some of her Australian friends. I hope they enjoyed her dinner as much as we always did. My mom definitely knows how to be a one woman show on the holidays and always does a fantastic job!!!

I did my first black Friday shopping this morning with Lexie and Jake. What an experience! Wow, some people are extremely serious and you'd better stay out of there way....all in all though it was fun and got a few things.

I'M HAVING 30% OFF EVERYTHING

IN ALL OF MY SHOPS THIS WEEKEND!!

JUST GO TO http://apinchofthis-adashofthat.blogspot.com/ to check it out.

THANKS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL BLACK FRIDAY!

A Different Kind of Mice

I just found these little mice ornaments that I had made last year, but with moving over Christmas I forgot to give them to the kids.

So in keeping with my mice theme the kids will have 2 different mice ornaments this year.

It was nice to find something that was already made for Christmas!!

I just have to add the strings and I've got more mice ready to go! Yay!

Chocolatey Goodness!

I participated in Val's Hot for Chocolate Apron Swap and I received my package today from Nadine. OMG!!! I was napping and Earl woke me up and said you got a package and there sat this big pink box. Jace and I couldn't wait to open it up! I swear the box seemed like it didn't have a bottom because I just kept pulling more and more little packages out of it.

Here is the apron that Nadine made for me.

Isn't it gorgeous??

I can't believe how beautiful it is, and it's for me!!!!

Then Nadine made this cute tote bag and a hot pad out of the chocolate fabric.

Mallory is going to be jealous of the tote bag, but this one is for me!

Then Nadine included all of these yummy chocolates.

There are hot chocolate mixes, chocolate coffee crumble, truffles, chocolate, mint cookies, chocolate pretzels, etc......

and these chocolate scented soaps. They look just like me!!


and here is Jace trying to hide the wrapper from a chocolate he snuck. He is going nuts wanted to eat all of the chocolate up.
"Please mommy, pretty please with a cherry on top!"
(He doesn't think we should wait for Ezie and Mallory to get home to share.)



Here is the apron that I made. It's not nearly as fancy as the one I received,
but it reminds me of hot chocolate.
It's more of a pratical kind of chocolatey apron. Right??

Here is an apron I made a couple of weeks ago for one of Mallory's friends BD. I had to add the buttons at the top because after I got all done I noticed two little tiny holes in the fabric. So I added buttons and we're calling them the "Sprinkles" for the ice cream.

I Have Mice in My House!

My Grandma used to make us kids a crocheted or plastic canvas ornament every year for Christmas that would either hold a candy cane or a Hershey's kiss. I decided that I was going to start Grandma's tradition for my grandkids that seem to have been multiplying like crazy lately. So these little mice are what I'm making for this year. I'm making one for all the kids and grandkids so I still have quite a few more to go. I think they're turning out pretty cute and hopefully the kids will like them and have fond memories of me like I do of my Grandma.

Men

Besides my favorite guys here at home their are a couple of other guys that I would like to honor today. One because it would of been his birthday today and the other because he won an award yesterday.

The first one is my Grandpa, Cecil Wescott. Today was my Grandpa's birthday. Grandpa died 7 years ago and there isn't a day that goes by that I haven't thought about him. I am so lucky to have had such a wonderful man for a grandfather. Grandpa taught us about gardening, respect for nature, diet and nutrition and so many other things. He would take us out to his garden and have us help pick veggies. Grandpa would explain to us how the veggies grew and how important it was to have good soil. He kept journals of his garden and what kind of fertilizers he used that year, the weather and his productivity. Occasionally he would pick us some beautiful flowers and wrap the stems up in a wet paper towel until we got home to put them in water. Grandpa even used the wood from his apple tree as a smoking agent in his grill. MMMmmm! He made the best chicken that he smoked in apple wood!! There are so many other wonderful memories I have of Grandpa.....I love you Grandpa!!





Okay, the other is Johnny Depp. As most of you know I Love Johnny Depp....and he won the People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive award yesterday. He is my all time favorite actor. I love his versatilty. He can be so funny and then so serious too. Just had to mention him!

Just Chit-Chat

Today is another day. I'm trying a few new projects and they are turning out okay....not quite as nice as I wanted them too, but okay. I have so many things that I want to get done before Christmas and I know I'm not going to get them accomplished. We're having Christmas with our kids on the December 13 this year, which is super early.....we usually don't even have our tree up by then, but it will be this year! I'm leaving for Kansas on December 27ish and want to take back a lot of gifts for my family. So much to do and the time seems to be flying by.

The fairies never came to help me with my housework.....so I can't even send them over to the rest of your homes to help you out. Darn it!

On Dancing with the Stars, it's to bad that Joanna got kicked off because I think she is a better dancer than Donny and Kelly, but I am glad Kelly's still on. I really like her, especially her smile! My prediction though is that Mya will win next week. What to do on Monday nights after next week?!?! LOL!!

Well, I'm off to try out another new project and we'll see how it turns out. Wish me luck!

I Feel Goofy and Random Thoughts

Let's see.....I'm feeling really good today and kinda actually a little goofy. So I'm just going to talk about random things.


I love watching reruns of Bonanza and try to get one episode in every day. I LOVE Westerns and cowboys! Giddy-up! I also think Hoss (Dan Blocker) is just so darn cute!






So, who watches Dancing with the Stars? I wanted Mark from Iron Chef to go further and was so disappointed when he got kicked off last week :( I like Kelly Osbourne a lot, but I think Aaron Carter is the better dancer. Unfortunately for Aaron he just doesn't seem to have the charisma that Kelly does, she has the cutest smile. So now that there are only 4 dancers left I am going for Mya. I LOVED her 70's dance the other night and I like her personality too. Okay, so there's my review of Dancing with Stars.

Earl's off today for Veteran's Day and he's in the kitchen making bacon. Yummy! It's nice having him home for the day and even nicer that he's cooking a good breakfast for us!!

I'm going to sew today and finish up a couple of projects. I suppose I will probably clean house a little too, yuck, but if I don't do it, well, it just won't get done. I really need a fairy.....I believe in them, but damn, why haven't I ever had one come to my house??? Maybe someday.....when I least expect it one will magically appear. Maybe?? You never know!

Okay, everyone have a great day!!

I'm Back

Okay, I'm better now and back. Thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement, laughter and prayers. I hate when I get really depressed and I think my good old hormones had a lot to do with it. My issues are all still here, but I'm ready to cope again. I tend to let things build up and then a couple tiny things will set me back. Anyway, enough about that!!

I did make 4 tote bags, some tissue covers and crocheted some cross bookmarks over the last week. I also did some cleaning which made me feel better.

My blogger friend Kelly sent me these cute magnets all the way from England. Kelly had posted them on her blog one day and I commented on how much I liked them and she was such a sweetheart and got me a package. Thanks Kelly and they came at such a great time!!

Aren't these just so cute?!?! I love the colors and the pictures are so cute. Kelly said you can find them on EBay. They also have tins that match. So cute!! Thanks Kelly!!!

Fighting an Old Demon

I am taking a computer break for awhile....an old demon has come back to haunt me. I used to get depressed a lot and fortunately I have avoided it over the last several years, but it has returned. Life is just a little more than I can emotionally handle right now, so after I have a pity party for myself, I will regroup and get a handle on things. Hopefully I can get back on my feet over the next week or so. Until then.

My Sweet Sister and Some More Trick or Treaters

Yesterday I got an unexpected package in the mail. My sister Robyn sent the kids an I a one way swap package. She said she's been enjoying seeing all of our swap stuff so she decided to make one up herself.

Robyn called it a

S-Somewhat

W-Wicked

A-Aunt

P-Package

She sent all kinds of goodies for me and the kids. Mallory was still at school when we opened it so her goodies are wrapped up still. Isn't the spider web picture frame cute?!?!?? Robyn is very crafty and made that for me.



This is my oldest grand "Baby" Sabrina

Here is her little brother Austin as Tigger.

He had a honey pot for his candy bucket.

and then Anthony as a doggy.

The kids were all so cute!

My Goblins and The Secret Sinister Sister Swap

Here are 3 of my little trick or treaters. Mallory was Sally Stitch which is a character that has been on the tv show Ghost Whisperer, Ezie is a skeleton ghosty scary looking guy, and Jace is himself, The Red Ranger. It was in the 50's but rained the whole time we were trick or treating. It was still fun and the kids did great! We all had fun and have been on a sugar high ever since!

I was in Genevieve's Secret Witches Sister Swap and my partner was Vivian. Vivian's package almost made me cry. I had two of the most amazing swap packages in one week. I feel so spoiled and my living room is very Halloweenish with last years and this years swap packages.


This is what the box looked like when I started. I was beginning to think it was bottomless....

I just kept pulling little packages out.

Viv made this gorgeous witch doll. OMG! I literally almost cried. I had no idea that Viv made such nice dolls. She is very proudly displayed in a special spot in the living room.

Then there was all these wonderful goodies. A Halloween idea book and magnet, candy, ribbon, a scarecrow bag, a yummy smelling pumpkin candle, a couple of ornaments and the cutest dressed skeleton. OMG! I have so many ideas running through my head for next year after receiving this package!

I sent Vivian a duplicate package to what I sent to Debbie for the other Halloween swap.

Here are the two Kitty's together.

I thought they were pretty cute......until I received the witches from Debbie and Viv.

I am knew to making dolls.....and well, they definitely are not!

I can't wait to make some more dolls and get more creative.

I have a lot of room to grow that's for sure.

Thanks to the kids and Earl for a great Halloween.

Thank you to Genevieve, Samantha and Ramona for hosting such fun swaps.

and finally

THANK YOU SO MUCH

to Debbie and Vivian for being such wonderful swap partners.

A Halloween Swap

I was in a couple of different Halloween Swaps, I'll show one today and the other tomorrow. I got spoiled in both of these swaps. My partner in the Wicked Halloween Swap was Debbie Martinez. She sent me this wonderful package. There is a wall bright and spooky wall hanging and little witches cupboard and then the most amazing witch doll.

Isn't this witch wickedly gorgous!

then Debbie also included this mask, hair tye, and a really cool and spooky scrapbook.


Here's part of the package I sent to Debbie. I made a little Raggedy Kitty, a glittered Raven, a couple of stuffed grunged pumpkins and a BOO Banner. I also sent her some bags of goodies.

Thanks for a great swap Debbie. You definitely spoiled me with your great package.