Tip for a Tuesday....

Look ahead....

Years ago, I found this box in a Hallmark store and thought it was a great idea.  It's a greeting card holder, divided by month and occasion.  It even has a secret compartment at the bottom in which to store stamps.

I try to make a point at the beginning of each month to look ahead and see what special occasions are coming up.  Then I add the names of the type of cards for those special days to my shopping list. Over the years, I've also picked up packets of cards to keep on hand, for instance, Valentine's Day or Easter, and some general Birthday cards, and store those in the appropriate folder.

Even with all that preparedness, I still can find myself saying, "Oh no" when I realize a card didn't make it in the mail on time.  So this year, I also went through my calendar book and marked down several days in advance of each occasion a reminder to actually mail the card.  

Apparently, I can never be too prepared.

Friday Fotos....

"I'm forever blowing bubbles....."   I have never seen Bentley do this before!

My first major snowstorm - yes, March, 1956.  That's me in the doorway.

 I think this sign is most appropriate today.

(Found it online last year.)

Enough already.  

The State of New Jersey is officially exhausted.

I am praying for the following:

No more rain, sleet, snow, winds, flooding or power outages.

Here's hoping the powers that be are listening!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

*This was posted on a page I follow on Facebook - Positive Outlooks   - worth checking out!

Wednesday's wisdom....

It will always be this way....

                                             Trust me.  It just feels like forever. These days do pass.

I can attest from the front lines that no matter what you may be going through - it will end and things will change.  Well, that's been my experience, so far.

Got kids? When my children were small, I felt like I saw more of the pediatrician than I did my husband.  They were constantly sick with ear infections, strep throat, colds, bronchitis and yes, pneumonia.  I began to think we could make a fortune if we bought stock in Kleenex and drug companies which produced antibiotics.

The days were endless. Like the Dowager Countess on Downton Abbey, I too wondered, "What's a week-end?"  Would the car ever go in any direction but the pharmacy or doctor's? Would there come a time when I could put away the thermometer and stop buying gallons of ginger ale?

During yet another trip to the doctor, while noting the drooping of my shoulders when he once again informed me one of the girls needed medicine, Dr. H pointed out that we were pretty much on schedule. On schedule?  Are you kidding me?  He went on to say that I should expect to see him, on average, every two weeks.  Once kids start attending school, this was the natural course of things.

I did the math, and with three school age children, this did not sound like good news to me.  But it made sense.  When I looked back at the calendars I kept, there did seem to be a pattern of sorts.  Each of the girls was coming down with something every few weeks or so.

Strange as it may seem, this information actually gave me both comfort and hope.  Because I also realized, that some day, my daughters would all graduate and leave school.  And the germs.  And we would stop going to the pediatricians every few days.

My girls are all grown up now.  If they are sick, they drive themselves to the doctor.  Those years of worry and tending to sick children are far behind me.  I don't miss that part.  At all.

That feeling - it will always be like this - can come to the surface when dealing with financial problems, health problems, storm damage, snowstorms, depression, and on and on.  For me, remembering that "this too shall pass" and that things (and kids) do in fact change, can help me to hang in there until it does.



                                                         

Tip for a Tuesday....

Makin a list and checkin it twice....
(Be honest. Bet you found yourself singing along when you read that just now.)

Trying to stay organized and on top of my household is becoming more challenging the older I get.  I often begin the week with good intentions of getting to all the mundane chores such as dusting, vacuuming, laundry and such.  Then life happens and I am easily distracted, often feeling, come Friday, that I've accomplished nothing at all.

Solution?  A list of daily tasks.

Where to begin, though, I've asked myself lately.  

A few years ago I cam upon Brocante Home and Alison's "Vintage Housekeeper."  She has wonderful downloads and suggestions, many of which I have purchased and followed, such as The Art of Homemaking, The Seasonal Scrub,  and Trash It or Treasure It.  
(See Brocante Home link, listed on the right hand side below.)

But my attention span seems to be shrinking these days for anything longer than a paragraph, so I needed to simplify.  Thanks to Pinterest, browsing the internet, and a bit of thought, I came up with a short list which I jotted down in the calendar book I purchased in January.  




Monday through Saturday I've listed no more than four taks to accomplish each day.
When I'm feeling frazzled or wondering what to do next, a quick look at the book puts me back on track.

Easy Peasy.

A Monday memory....

Earlier today I happened to drive down the main road off which my mother's house is located.  Just before her street, there is  was a beautiful old Dutch Colonial home, pictured here.

The house was recently up for sale and I was hoping whoever bought it would love the character and history of it, and want to maintain its charm while updating it.  Alas, it is not to be. The house is in the process of being torn down and sadly, large sections have already been removed. 

Many years ago, a friend and I were riding our bikes with our sisters past this very house.  The youngest in our group, Jane, turned her front wheel sharply and toppled over, skinning her knee badly.  A teenage girl who lived in the house heard her cries and came out to assist us.  Assessing the situation, she decided Jane needed immediate attention and invited us all into the house  Though sorry for the little one's misfortune, I was pleased with the opportunity to look around the house as we were led through several rooms before arriving in the cozy kitchen.  There, the young lady set about cleaning and bandaging the wounded knee. Once finished, we thanked the "nurse" for saving the day and were soon off again on our bikes.

Turning my head for a quick look at this charming place became second nature to me over the many years I've driven past.  I will miss it as I do so many other familiar landmarks that no longer stand in this part of the world.

Change is inevitable, I suppose.  But is bigger and newer always better?  I wonder.

Friday Fotos.....

It'a been a busy week....

The amaryllis is in full bloom!  The gorgeous red color is perfect as we approach Valentine's Day.
















The wee one is very creative these days, turning a"lap desk" into a mini sled on her living room floor.
Kept herself entertained for quite a bit with this.
Notice she's looking to see Grandmom's reaction....

Miss M and I spent Sunday morning cutting out various shapes with Play-Doh.  I'd forgotten how relaxing playing with Play-Doh is.

Here are my three charges, anxiously awaiting their dinner.  See the pleading in their eyes? The trouble is, Basset Hounds always look so sad that I end up giving them extra treats. Not good for their waistlines I'm afraid.

Tomorrow is Candlemas Day in England. In addition to being a Christian festival and a time for the blessing of candles in the Church, it also marks the midpoint of winter.   I've been very pleased to see the sun is rising earlier and earlier each day.  Signs of hope that Spring is that much closer.

Not planning on watching the Super Bowl.  No interest this year, yet I sincerely hope the Ravens don't win.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and enjoyable weekend.  May it be snow free for us all!