Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Catching up!

Well, I didn't write Friday, and I didn't write yesterday.  But today, I have completed my Motivated Mom's Checklist, including the things I added to it, and all the little ones are sleeping, so I have a little time to sit down and put a few thoughts together.

I have been getting ready for another craft show, and I am excited!  It is going to be in the little town I grew up in, and I haven't been back in a long time.  I think the last time I was there was before Flower was born, so its probably been about 8 years.  I'm going with the same friend I went to the last show with, and it is always nice to have someone there for company.  This time, though, I think I will be taking Little Man, and Flower.  Little Man didn't go last time, but the whole not-seeing-mommy thing was pretty hard on him.  I admit, I have a Mama's Boy.  If Barb Wire Man isn't working, I suppose I will leave them together, but who knows.

Barb Wire Man is doing something totally different at work, now.  Well, sorta.  He is still driving, but now he is hauling cattle!  Real, live cattle.  Which is good, because that is what he has been wanting.  The hard part is that now, his schedule is crazy.  Yesterday, we really thought he would be home all night, but he ended up getting a call and having to leave.  Now, I'm not complaining; I am very thankful that my husband has a great job.  But it does make it hard to make plans!  And, of course, we do miss him.  I am thankful everyday that I married such a great man, and am thankful that we have such a wonderful marriage.

The winds have been terrifically horrible the last few days.  I attend a church that is located about 10 minutes outside of town.  A field not even a mile from our church had been on fire all morning, but was out by the time church started.  The fire department let everyone through to go to church, but I was pretty much a nervous wreck throughout the entire service.  I'm glad I went, though.  I needed it.

I hope you all have a great day and a wonderful week!  Thanks for reading!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Thursday Thoughts

It is such a beautiful Spring day!  Maybe a little windy, but around here, one comes to expect that.  I had all the windows open this morning (actually, for another reason than keeping the house cool, but I'll tell you about that later), and a nice breeze was blowing through the house.  The kids all thought it was hilarious when the wind would blow the curtains around.  It was one big game to them, kept them occupied for the longest time, and the giggles coming from the house were priceless!  My only little girl was laughing so hard at one point she just threw herself on the ground.  It was hilarious!

Now, on to the reason the windows were open in the first place.

I was going down my daily to do list that I got from Motivated Moms.  Its really been a huge help in keeping me caught up on house work.  I try to not skip anything each day, because it just gets easier and easier to skip things.  Anyhow, one of today's to-dos was clean the oven.  Well, just a couple weeks ago I scrubbed the inside of my oven from top to bottom.  It was clean.  But I thought, "Well, might as well stay on track!", so I ran the self clean cycle on my oven.  I made sure there was nothing in the oven (I store my cast iron skillets in there), and hit start.

Holy.  Cow.

As I said before, my oven was CLEAN....I don't know what the heck was in there that I couldn't see, but that thing smoked like you wouldn't believe.  It was horrible.  I opted for the self-clean cycle, because I really didn't want the kids around the fumes from the cleaner.  I thought this seemed like a much better option, but I was wrong. (Mark it, folks.  I don't admit that often.)  We all coughed and hacked.  The sun was shining through the front door, so you could see the smoke.  Little Man was running around trying to catch it.  So I opened all the windows and turned all the fans on, and frankly, I'm surprised my neighbors didn't call the fire department.

Thankfully, the cycle is completed, and I think the house has air out.  That, or I have just gotten used to the smell and it isn't affecting me any more.  But, I have a super clean oven.

Did I mention today is actually "No Housework Day"?  It is, but I am doing housework anyway.  While No Housework Day is great in theory, its just not.  I could not do any house work today, and I would love to sit on my duff and not do housework.  But tomorrow would be awful.  I'd have so much catching up to do.  My family can destroy a clean house in a matter of minutes.  So I opted to just do the few things Motivated Mom listed for me, and go on with my every day.

I have a craft show coming up on April 16th that I am excited about.  Its in Pampa, Texas, which is the little town I grew up in.  I haven't been in Pampa  for a long time...at least 8 years.  So I am sure it looks a lot different.  But, I am excited that I might get to see a few people that I know and haven't seen in a long time.  I'm hoping the craft show goes well, too.  I think I am taking both my kiddos with me this time.  Flower got to go to the last one with me, and she was a really big help, but I left Little Man with Daddy.  It was hard on us

Barb Wire man will be coming home in a few minutes, and I think he is bringing a nice big Coke to me.  Nothing says "I love you" like a 44 ounce coke from your husband.  Seriously.  He knows what makes me happy!

Be sure to stop by my shop, won't you?  Its needing some love! 13 Plum Knitting

Have a great day!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Wednesday Thoughts

I'm excited about today!

Barb Wire Man got to sleep at home last night, so I didn't wake up alone.

I woke up to a spotless house (thanks to Motivated Moms!).

My coffee was ready by the time I walked into the kitchen.

Barb Wire Man is starting something new in his job, and he has been wanting to do this for quite some time!

One of my coolest friends and her three kiddos is coming to visit this afternoon!  We only get to visit for a few hours a week, but its amazing how just a few hours chatting with a friend can make your week better.

My house is still clean, with exception of daycare toys being scattered throughout the living room.

The city had its weekly test of the tornado sirens this morning.  The look on all 4 of my 2 year-ish kids was priceless.  They weren't sure if they needed to be scared or not, and if I even dared to stop talking to them while the sirens were running, they would start to tear up.  It was kind of sad, but they all came running to me, so I had some good snuggle time!

I have even added a new item to 13 Plum!  A rug that I whipped up one night, because I had no idea what else to make with the strips I of fabric I had stashed in my craft closet.  I can't throw anything craft related out, so, I made a rug.  I also recently made a Treasury on Etsy.  A treasury is something any seller on Etsy can make, featuring other shops.  Mattie inspired this particular one...let's just say it is very bright and happy! Please stop by and take a look!  Just click here.....

Have a wonderful day everyone, and thanks for reading!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tuesday's Tea-time

Ahh....the sound of sleeping babies is wonderful today!

I found this really neat website called Motivated Moms. For $8, you can buy a down loadable pdf of a day by day calendar.  It breaks household chores up by day, so you never have just one day of major scrubbing the house.  Each day, you tackle one big thing, and your house constantly stays clean.  I have fallen in love with it!  It even includes a daily scripture reading, and that has really been nice.  I haven't found a single thing that has been left out...they even include things like "clean out purse", "clip children's nails", and my personal favorite "pamper yourself"!  (Seriously, I never really thought that I needed to schedule time for myself, but I have started!  Its amazing what a little "me time" will do for a mama!)  Today, I accomplished everything on my list, with time to spare.

Now, I can sit and do the things I want to do while the babies sleep!  What a completely foreign idea!

I am also adding a few more listings to 13 Plum Knitting today, and I hope you'll stop by and take a look!  The sale is over, so I hope you got what you were wanting early!  I am about to feature a few of my baby things, that would look adorable with any little Easter dress or suit!


We just had a little cold snap a few days ago, so I am desperately hoping winter is over.  I am so ready for Spring.  Fall is actually my favorite season, but Spring is a very close second.  Everything is coming to life, (the kids can go outside and play again), the air is warm, (the kids can go outside and play again), and Easter is around the corner (and did I mention, the kids can go outside and play again!?).  East is, by far, my favorite holiday. Not because of the bunnies, or the eggs (although I do enjoy watching my kids hunt for them), or for any reason retailers would like for me to.  I love Easter because it reminds us again that my Saviour is alive!  How awesome it is to know that I serve a living God!  Not a stone carving.  Not a picture.  Not even a real- live person who only fulfilled a few prophesies, but a real-live person who fulfilled the hundreds of prophecies that foretold about Him in the Old Testament.

He knows us.
He loves us.
He has conquered death.
He will return.

I know there are a lot of people who don't believe these things, and I'm not really looking to start a debate (but if you must, bring it on.  I'm totally prepared.)  Simply put, I am just so passionate about the God that I serve, that at times, I just have to make known how much I love Him.  I have to write about it!  And if those of us who do believe don't write and talk about it to glorify Him, then the rocks will cry out His praises.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to have to see that.  (Yes, it would be an interesting sight to say the least, but I don't want Christians to be so silent that a dirty rock has to take my place in praising God.)

These are the lyrics to my new favorite praise song.  I can't get enough of this song.  Its called "Christ is Risen", by Matt Mahar.

Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
We fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love

And bled for us
Freely You've bled for us

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but Heaven's will
No scheme of Hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold You down

In strength You reign
Forever let Your church proclaim

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night

Sing it, o death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead, He's alive, HE'S ALIVE!

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Rise up from the grave


***stepping down off soap box now***

I hope everyone has a truly blessed day!  Thanks for reading!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Memory Monday

Here it is another Monday.  Another start to another week.  And I did not want to get out of bed this

The weather in this part of the world is so weird.  The only thing people around here ever know to expect about the weather is to expect the unexpected.  Saturday was beautiful, and temps almost hit the 90's.  It was terribly windy, for around here, but I guess some people would have said it was.  Sunday was down-right hot.  I'm talking summer-time-play-in-the-water temps.  Except that the wind blew one mph for every degree.  I swear the wind was blowing no less than 40 mph, and guests over 60.  Definitely not a good day to go out and play!  This morning, it was 32 degrees and snowing when we woke up.  REALLY!?!  Is this some kind of cruel joke mother nature likes to play on us?

We are coming up on the severe weather season here in the Texas panhandle, and that is my favorite time of the year.  Call me crazy, but I love severe weather.  I love the thunder and lightning, and watching the storms roll in.  I even love when we have a chance for tornadoes.  Its been awhile since I have seen one, but I remember standing outside with my dad when I was little and watching the clouds.  Anytime the tornado sirens went off, we went running outside!  My dad worked for the electric company, so if the power went out that meant he had to go to work.  Those times were no fun.  I cannot wait for the severe weather to kick in!

Moving on.....
On Wednesday, I started a giveaway for a set of dishcloths from 13 Plum!  The contest ended on Friday, but we do have a winner!!  "Anne" left a comment for me, and was the chosen winner!  Congratulations!  Anne, if you will please send an email to 13plumknittedcreations@gmail.com, so that I can get those dishcloths sent out to you!


I do have every intention of holding more and more giveaways, so be sure to check back with me!  Another great new blog for giveaways is called Giveaway Corner.  On May 12th, they will be giving away a $25 gift certificate to 13 Plum!  How cool is that!?  Be sure to check her blog out!  She is just getting started so be sure to tell lots of people, and check it out!

REMINDER!
Today is the LAST DAY for my 15% off Spring Sale!  If you want to get anything in the winter wear or shawl section of 13 Plum, then you need to go now!  All you have to do is enter the code "LASTCHANCE" when you are checking out!

I 'spose that is all for today.  I have so much to get done today, and don't know how much I will get accomplished.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day!