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| (Contacts mean sunglasses, and sunglasses mean WAY less migraines, which means I am happily out doors more!) |
And the contact adventures continue! I ran into too many snags getting my first order from Costco, as had been the plan, so I went with the wonderful shop that sold me the new glasses and shades I am enjoying. No fuss and in no time they had my first six months worth for me.
The other day a friend was chatting about how her girl friend had had all her jewelry taken in a home invasion. None of it was of great value, except to her, and she was so upset since it wouldn’t add up to much for them anyhow. She had expressed how each piece had memories for her, and there in was her sorrow.
My jewelry box is full, but all items hold little ‘cash value’. I really like hand made or wooden pieces. Colorful stones or beads win over diamonds or jewels every time for me.
I was able to understand her feelings as I have stories attached to each piece. When I put on the earrings Grandma Smith used to wear I remember her. The pieces my husband picked out carry fuzzy feelings with them as I wear them.. The necklace in the above photo is worthy of a photograph BECAUSE my sister made it for me.
The end of the tale told was advice to HIDE even your cheep jewelry and I decided that just didn’t connect with me. As much as I enjoy my accessories they aren’t something I need to fear and fret for…
While you can’t replace even the cheapest of jewelry, if it holds memories, you can have and make more memories with the people that have left their mark on your earrings or necklaces. More cheep jewelry can be given and receive by the people you love, reflecting the new memories made. The only thing of real value in this world, that absolutely can not be replaced in any acceptable way is YOUR PEOPLE.
I am thankful for the lingering effect that my Grandmother has had on me, the continuing growth my husband builds onto my soul and the eternal change Christ’s love has given my spirit.
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| (My sister also made this shell & bead jewelry set, for me!) |
TTFN
My five year old just got a ‘salon’ cut and she is thrilled. Perhaps a stylist in the making, this girl was pumped just about getting to watch the hairdressers do their work, let alone getting a new look herself.
For weeks she has been asking to have a ‘bob’ and insisted she genuinely wanted short hair. I didn’t know what to think. My eldest has had such a flip out thing about getting her hair cut. The last time I got her hair cut shorter, many many years ago, she almost had a panic attack. Well my little lady is entitled to be her own person so I decided to go for it. She is anything but conflicted. Absolutely tickled about her cut and really looking forward to showing it off to her Daddy tonight.
She looks adorable, I am thrilled about the style too. Bobs always reminds me of Christoper Robin from the A.A.Milne stories, back when bobs where more commonly on sweet little English boys.
While I clearly know my girls are different persons, it can be hard to know when to learn from the experiences I have had with eldest daughter and when to just drop them because they don’t work with my youngest daughter. Same struggle has been going on with my parenting of my two boys… sometimes I use the old saying ‘boys will be boys’ and other times that doesn’t work for them both.
With two girls and two boys (the same sex siblings being about 5 years apart with each set) I learned long ago that no matter how experienced you are as a parent, or how many children you have, you still have to work with their personalities. No cookie cutter kids in my house.
Their uniqueness is a treasure to this mother!
TTFN
Well, not a complete, or drastic, change of face really… Today was a big day for me though. A little bit of new!
I had been talking myself out of contacts for years, holding onto a favorite pair of frames. With an opportunity to go to a large glasses outlet, ALONE for a couple hours, I had my chance to change my own mind.
Walking in I had a set goal in mind. Nothing less then what I was thinking could make me put my faithful vera wang frames aside.
“Cat eyes,” was my blunt explanation at the clerks request to aid me. Well she didn’t disappoint. Back in a flash she had some bling bling cat eye frames that made me feel all glam librarian! My next response was equally as to-the-point, “Sold!”
I almost talked myself out of contacts one more time. Thanks to a very good clerk I stayed, went through the introduction to it all and discovered I am very capable when it comes to touching my own eye.
I walked around a bit, to make sure I was fine with the contacts in. As I strolled back to get the washing kit I spotted a pair of REAL sunglasses! They were BIG, pretty shaded glass and actually in style. Could these be my first pair of sunglasses since I was a child?! Casually I handed them to the lady at the desk, squealing inside, then strolled into the contacts office to get my supplies.
With that I had new glasses, contacts and sunglasses!
TTFN
Readers are popping up all over the yard, following the sunny spots really. The front step is a favorite place to sit. Just the other day my mother (in law) and I sat upon it and enjoyed tea in the sun together.
All the sports equipment is reappearing. It emerges from the garage and is instantly spread all around the yard. Catch with Dad is a favorite. In the above picture we are enjoying the front yard, during a part of the day with more sun there. My littlest man is wearing his biking helmet, though he didn’t bike much. It just happens to be a favorite outdoor fashion accessory of his.
Our drive way takes up the whole west side of our yard. It, the driveway, is taken up by a large collection of pine cones. They are forever falling, thus providing forever fun. My five year old collects them like nobodies business. One minute they are eggs, next minute she is just the maid trying to keep this yard clean (by golly) and later they became newspapers. She would pass them off to her older two siblings who (TRUTHFULLY) then bike up and down the block throwing a pine cone into each yard; calling at each stop ‘NEWSPAPER’! I laughed so hard and didn’t want to ruin their fun but kept my fingers crossed that the neighbors would forgive us…
Speaking of bikes, you bet the bikes are out and busy! All four of our crew are now puttering around. The bigger two are so good at it they could motor all over the city, if they where so inclined.
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| (The kids working on a dinosaur excavation toy in the back yard.) |
Back yard fun has included a lot of clean up, all the winter gunk seems to collect there. But, there has been fun too. Just today the kids where digging up dinosaur bones ( an Easter present from their grandparents). The other day they got to dig in the backyard sandbox for the FIRST time this year and it took a lot to talk them back out. Of course the back yard is home to the famous apple trees and my eldest is often up there pushing her monkey child limits. She likes to go up high enough to see her friends house (two blocks up in our crescent) and then try to signal her to come over and play.
Neighborhood kids are popping up left right and center. They zero in on our yard like puppies to bacon. I smile, set my limits, enforce my limits and let them enjoy the yard with my children as long as they behave.
Basically I know it is spring because I have gone from demanding the kids “Get out side and get fresh air”, to demanding they “Get inside ALREADY”!
TTFN
Had one of those days, well almost… I managed to slow it all down and cut myself some slack just in time. Disorder was the perfect word to describe how my brain woke up yesterday, maybe it never completely did wake up! I messed up a planned play date and just couldn’t get my self caught up.
Finally I realised it was ‘one of those days’ and so I STOPPED trying to run the ship as I always do and put it on coast… Stopped worrying about the play date failure, the dishes, the floors, the filthy play room and all the rest… stepped away from my to-do list… and then my littlest man and I went for a walk instead.
Sunshine and spring, greeted us. We marched, at a very three year old like leisurely pace, down to the corner thrift store and puttered through there. Stopped to say hello to the bearded dragons at the community center and applauded for Bonny (of Bonny and Clyde) who is now expecting EGGS… BABIES! We then slowly walked back home, examining every newly thawed rock, slightly frozen over puddle and crack in side walk. Hoping most of the way home, we where fully prepared when we found a collection of freshly chalked out hopscotch sets (thank you neighborhood child) and even Mommy had her turn. We found our yard and played in the last of the snow in the back.
Tea with my friend worked out… still managed to babysit my niece later that day (for a couple hours) and even managed to introduce my crew to my newest niece.
Supper, day before last, was wild salmon and an amazing salad…last night… I knew better then to try and just threw beans, wieners and toast at the kids. Still a success in my books if it means we don’t order pizza or something even more pricey.
While I hope my head is back in the game today, and I stop spilling everything I pour for myself, I am especially thankful for a lovely day when it was shaping up to be ‘one of those days’.
TTFN
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| (They’re just waiting to hold tea and crumpets!) |
Yes, it is a wise choice to frequent thrift shops when you are a stay at home mom, however it isn’t pure practicality for me…I learned to really enjoy the process involved in thrift shopping long ago. It is a very different kind of shopping, compared to mall and retail stores. I was raised on thrift shopping thanks to two frugal ladies, Grandma Smith and my mom. Both let me tag along on regular thrift shopping adventures and taught me how to hunt for the treasures. Now it is I who lets the child(ren) tag along.
My eldest daughter was hoping to find a purse, so we went to ‘villa village’. She found her ‘new to her’ bag… And I found two purses, two tea cups, with those marvelously extra large saucers for snacks, and two sweetly vintage-esk tops.
Been admiring this skirt like style of bag, that purse number one is, for years, but never could talk myself into the price of a lot of leather-esk bags out there so…. This one is soft, easy to open and easy to fish stuff out…when I spotted the price tag, 4$, it was sold.
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| (Purse One) |
Purse two caught my eye right away, I would like to say it was my Scottish blood that drew me to it. My Dad would say it was my Scottish blood that put it in the cart when I realized it too was only 4$. I had to laugh when I got it home though. My soft imitation leather summer purse is exactly the same but a light blue color and no plaid! I really like the wide mouth clasping style instead of a zipper for the main pocket of the bag.
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| (Purse Two) |
I was hoping for a dress but spotted these two laced tops instead. Together they where ten dollars.
My girl went away with a couple books and a shiny black shoulder purse… successful treasure hunting on a quick night out with my lovely daughter.
TTFN
I enjoy finding treasures with character, and I found character in Moose Jaw INDEED. Feel free to check out the link to my post on our girl’s weekend RIGHT HERE!
Yes the phone in the photo above works. This candle stick corded phone is an original. Something this special deserves to be used so I have it set up in the kitchen and have put the cordless phones in other locations.
Winter is a fact of life here so why not cozy up with style?! I was going to buy the pink cup cake mittens but thought these owl ones where way more mature (wink). I do so like owls!
So not a huge hall from my last trip, but all very special. Most of the items where found in a cute little collectible antique place that I will have to visit every time I return to that wonderful little city called Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.
Happy treasure hunting!
TTFN
