Happy New Year 2017

My goodness can you believe it's a new year already?  May everyone be blessed this year and every year.  I did not make any resolutions this year.  First off I need peace and happiness for myself.  So am going to focus on what makes me happy.  One thing I know is this blog and my pen pals make me a better person.  Am sure your wondering how can that be possible? Well when I write pen pals or jot down a entry it's as if it lifts the weight on my shoulders off.  Tension is a mean and nasty thing for your body.  I'm not always good about communication with my boys or Mr. C.  I never stop worrying about being judged.  Yes even at my age I still feel like people are judging who I am and what I have done thru the years.  So this year is my year to let me be me.  I'm going to focus on the inner me as well as the outer me.   I'm ready to have a healthy life and until I make much need changes that will never happen.

I do have goals for this year.  Some simple to some that might be out of reach.  Spending more time with family members.  I say this time and time and then it's like I just don't feel like going and visiting.  Blake and Jessica just bought a beautiful house with a huge shop.  I've only been out there a couple of times.  Yes I know shame on me.  I just get caught up in my world and forget to be more involved with others.

Everyone I'm sure has heard of The Pioneer Woman? Well she had got The Mercantile in Pawhuska Oklahoma.  This would be a perfect road trip with several other ladies.  It's about 4 hours from where I live.  Am thinking we could make it a over night trip and stay at Tulsa at the Hard Rock hotel and Casino.   Which is something I've been wanting to do for awhile.  

Organize my life!  Planner, new organization skills, and figure out how to control paper clutter.  I don't know about you but I love paper of all kinds.  It's to the point the paper clutter is taking over in my craft room.  Yikes!!!

My yearly cruise!! Scheduled for October 7 2017.  Carnival Valor here I come!

 

It's a sister ship to the Freedom, so am looking forward to exploring her. She is a beauty by the pictures I have seen! Can you tell I'm super excited! 

52 weeks of mail

This so sounds like something I can do and enjoy doing as well.  I am going to send 1 piece of mail every week to a extended family member or close friend.  If I run out of family and friends then I will find new pen pals.  I have seen other bloggers telling about their great mail day.  With me being a member of swap bot I send off more than one piece of fun mail every week.   I want this to be more about reconnecting with family members that I don't see very often.  I do like writing letters and sending cards so this should be easy for me to do!  If your looking for a new pen pal please don't hesitate to let me know and I will get a letter out to you asap!!

This is not my picture I used it from fuzzimo.com

Have I been frugal today? Yes I have! I put $27.00 dollars in gas in my car this morning.  I also had to go to Dollar Store and get a few items.  Ended up spending  $7.97.  So at this point I still have $12.03 left to spend or put up in my savings. I cleaned out my purse and found $24.00 that I put in my savings jar.So that made me very happy. Remember that I am not counting my gas money or  necessities as spending money.  I already collect all my loose change and save it.  I try not to spend change ever.  My youngest son Trevor was like what are we saving for mom? I told him I don't know yet but when I figured it out I would let him know.  When we went to Washington DC back July 4th 2008 I took all my change and ended up with about $400.00 worth.  That was Trevor's spending money.  So I have been saving change this time since July 2008 and have no ideal how much I have saved.  I may get some paper rollers and start rolling some of it up when I have nothing else to do.  I may surprise myself and have a good amout of change.  I am not counting that in with my savings goal for this year.  But will start counting my change and bills at this point forward. 
  

So tell me what are some of your goals for 2012? I have only listed 2 of mine.

* Save $1000.00 for 2012

* Write a letter ever week to a extended family member or friend.

Had to take Trevor to Dr. this morning.  He cracked his finger.  Really? I can't believe my boy sometimes.  I asked him  why he keeps breaking him self and his reply was he was trying to catch up with Blake (his 20 year old brother) Sheesh...Trevor is such a character sometimes. Then come Friday Trevor goes back to his surgeon to see about getting released.  Which would be great but guess what??? His other foot that also has the exta bone is starting to swell and bother him.  Which means he will have to get that bone sawed off as well.  I told Trevor we might as well get him fixed now instead of waiting like we did on his right foot.Although in his eyes he doesn't want another year out of sports...I would think now would be better than when he gets to high school..Guess we will see what Dr. Lewis tells us Friday.

Everyone have a great week!!

Friday Love!!

Am so glad today is Friday! Of course I work today but I have a project I want to finish tonight.  I have a kitty cat rag top quilt I need to start sewing together.  I will try to remember to take a photo of it because I think it is going to be super cute for one of my nieces. 

Today is the day I start my week without TV.  I had forgot that it is also #15 on my goal list.  Figuring that with TV and internet on (facebook) I am never going to get any projects finished.  I also want to work on some new projects.  Is it normal to have 3 or more unfinished projects hanging around just begging to get done?

I went back and read some of my goals that I had posted on here.  Some of them I have been actively working on since I have posted them.  Some I have dropped the ball and have done nothing.  For instance I had posted I wanted to blog two times a week.  WELL we all know that hasn't happened at all.  Or my goal to save $700.00 dollars.  I think I have saved maybe close to $400.00  Which isn't great but I should have more money saved.  I keep buying items off Etsy, I wish I had found that store much earlier. Have found so many cute handmade items from different sellers.

I have been visiting with neighbors more.  Walking our dead end street I get to visit with each neighbor if they are outside.  I have even walked up to Julie's house and sit down and had tea with her a couple of times. We have even gone as far as exchanging cell phone numbers.  Woo Hoo!  That was #43 on my goal list. 

Yes Goal #49 accomplished...I am now a patient with Dr. Maury over at Lawton Okla! That was such a huge weight off my shoulders.  I really did like him and my next appointment is in Febuary.  Unless I get a winter cold or something.  At least if I get sick this winter I don't have to suffer thru it!

Goal # 10 write 50 letters..still working on it but am really close.  I have 3 pen pal letters going out today:) I think more than 50 goals is too much for me. Some goals just got lost in the everyday life of mine. 

I also have listed that I wanted to attempt a art journal.  I am in a private art journal swap and I am working in a art journal.  I have about 4 of the background pages done.  I am very excited about doing this swap.  One of my goals #46 was learn a new skill but also one of my goals was to do a art journal..So is it cheating to use this art journal for both goals?  I don't think so because doing a art journal is totally new to me.

Last night I took Trevor to Decator Texas.  He wanted to go see his Aunt Stacey and cousins.  So I am thinking it is only about 1 1/2 hours from home.  We leave at 6pm and it took 2 1/2 hours to get there.  I got home at midnight! I think he thought that the kids were also out for fall break and that wasn't the case.  He told me to come get him Saturday evening or Sunday morning.  Sunday Trevor and I had plans to go shoot our guns.  Yes of course this was his ideal NOT mine.  I have had my handgun since May and it has never been shot.  Then he wanted me to shoot his 22...I am so not a gun type person.  So if I get hime Sunday then can I get out of the whole target practice day?  I sure hope so!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Day 3 of Goals

This is the start of a simple tote bag I am putting together. I haven't used my sewing machine in over a year. Should I add here I was a little lost on threading it! I also cut out another tote in blue fabric. I am hoping they will turn out good. I plan on sending one out for tote and note for swap~bot. The swap calls for either a tote made or bought. I figure I will buy one in case mine turns out all funky or something! I have always wanted to try the patchwork tote. My next project is also going to be to make some cute pillowcases for my nieces and nephews. I don't think I can mess them up too much..Right??



This is the table and chairs we are redoing. They are looking so good!! This has been a project I have wanted to get to for the last 7 years. Needless to say I was so surpised when Luther got them started for me. All that without me asking!

I know you have been wanting to know my other goals..Let me tell you this has became alot harder to do than I ever imagined! I may not get to day 4 on these goals. Mr.C. still can't figure out why I want to rent a cabin at the lake. I just think it would be very cool. I usually tent camp with my boys.

41. To blog at least twice a week
42. Be kinder to people
43. Visit with my neighbors at least a couple of times before the end of the year
44. Change my oil in my car on a regular basis
45. Vacuum at least once a week ( hate this chore!)
46. Learn a new skill ( crochet or art journal or art quilting ect)
47. Be on time! I am always late for everything!!
48. Make a dentist appointment
49. Find a doctor that will take me without Insurance (nearly impossible)
50. Learn how to say NO even if others think I will say yes
51. Take a class at technology center on flower arranging
52. Make a budget and stick to it. ( I hate this for sure!)
53. Try reading something else besides romance or self help books
54. Be more compassionate toward family and friends
55. Touch base with extended family on my dad's side
56. Learn how to use the grill (I love a steak on the grill)
57. Buy a rifle for home protection (need to put one on layaway at Murfs Guns)
58. Take my boys camping several times this summer
59. Take a trip to Northern Oklahoma to the Salt Plains
60. Go to travel agent and check into cruises