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31 Slices in March!

Thoughts

-So excited for Tam and Steve...a granddaughter
-Mary Helen has the cutest cat
-Ruth is so good at Poetry
-Ruth loves being home with her 4 kids
-me...
-Easter dinner
-Family over
-Laughs about the egg hunt
-Running fast
-Watched a movie
-House is quiet
-Going to the lake
-Fishing till dark
-Spending time alone with husband
-Its been a Hoppy Easter
  

Rest

Today was the first day of spring break. I didn't do much as far as go, go , go. I took my time and went at a slow pace. The usual, dishes, laundry, picking up this and that. I also took a three hour nap which I felt I needed. My legs have been aching , my eyes puffy, I needed rest. I cooked supper and raked leaves. (When I burned them the wind carried the smoke toward the house. No one liked that.) I also went for a walk around the field with my daughter and our dogs. Then we walked along the road to pick up trash, lots of it! I also put money in over 200 eggs for our egg hunt tomorrow. That took me 2 hours. I just took my time as I watched a movie. Now typing I'm having a glass of wine. I have enjoyed my first day of spring break. Even more that my friend sent me a text that traffic has been horrible, bumper to bumper on the way to the warm south. I'm so glad we went to Aruba and now do not have to go to Florida. I love staying home!

Mouse

Today my sister called me twice, plus sent me numerous texts during the day. She had high anxiety because she had a mouse in her car. While driving she heard this munch, munch, munch sound coming from under the seat. So she whacked the seat and it stopped. Then it started up again. When she stopped she picked up the seat and there looking at her was a big mouse. It jumped back to the back of the car under her school things. She called her husband who said just to leave all the doors open while you are in the school. She couldn't do that as she had her computer and all her things in there. So she thought she should get a mouse trap. However she left her purse in the other car. So her husband who works at a bank called the bank where she was so she could get some money. Money in hand she bought a mouse trap. Not a regular one, this one was a tray with sticky stuff in it to attract mice. Back to school she went in for her meeting. When she came out she reached for her apple on the seat. A bite was out of it. She couldn't remember taking a bite. Looking closer she saw teeny teeth marks. Then she picked up her brand new lunch bag and there was a big hole in it. Guess the mouse was hungry. There was the mouse under the seat caught in the trap. She took the trap out and laid it under her car then drove away. The critter had been caught .Driving away she saw its beady eyes looking at her so she drove back to try to free the thing. Poking at it with a pen she tried to free it. The sticky stuff was all over it and she broke its leg by accident. She cried. Finally free it just layed there in the grass. When home my phone rang again she said now she worried that the mouse had been eaten by a seagull and it stuck its beak together because of that sticky stuff.
* I laughed so much today because of this as I could see her screaming, then trying to save the small animal. I told her not to worry I'm sure a bird didn't get it. My sister is not like me. She knows I would have tried to grab it by the tail and throw it out of the car or stomp it. Whatever...we had fun talking today about the mouse!  

Length

I have been writing each night. Sometimes  I think I have a super idea, other slices I think have been just plain lame. But always they are about the same length no matter how good my ideas are. I have scrolled back and even measured them on the screen and yeah they are all, yes all, about the same. Then I looked at all of yours. Some are short and some are really, really long. I wonder how do they do it? How do they think of all those words? Plus they sound so good when all the words are molded together. I would think with all this practice I would be getting better. (I guess not). So I will continue to write, and they will, I'm sure be the same length. :)  * I could never write a novel!!  

Funny

This class this year really isn't funny. In the past I have had some funny children who really made me laugh. You have heard my stories, and laughed too. Well today I had a funny moment:
At the smartboard getting ready for math I had pulled the lesson up on my computer. However I had not turned on the smartboard yet for the kids. A little girl piped up saying, "Mrs. Shultz we can't see a thing, you have to turn it on." "OK," I replied. "Wait just a minute I can only do one thing at a time."
Then I heard the little boy twin in my class say, "Mrs. Shultz, look at me I can do TWO things at once!" There he was shaking his head and waving his arm. I was laughing so hard. Smiling he said, "I saw that on T.V."
(AT&T commercial I think)   :)

Ferocious

Getting home late I turned in for bed even later.  So... it was around midnight. Then I was awake listening to barking for an hour. Finally I got up and put my coat on to venture outside to see what all that barking was about. I woke up Rex in his chair snoring. "Where are you going?" he said."To see what Woodchuck is barking at. He's barked so long he's horse in the throat." I said.  Out I went with the flashlight. Going around the corner I could see two shadows gnarling, barking, and snarling at one another. they looked the same size. They didn't take their eyes off one another as they lunged pulling out hairballs of fur. I really couldn't tell what it was, maybe a large raccoon. I rushed into the house, adrenaline pumping. Squawking at my husband I said, "You better get the gun and come quick, there is a ferocious animal out there attacking Woody." Outside again in a hurry, I could see with the light it was a big possum. Rex came out with the gun looking at the ferocious animal. "That's it he said?" "Yes, it is bigger than Woody and look how mean it is." He didn't waste time shooting it, with Woodchuck grabbing it as if he had killed it. Needless to say I went back to bed and finally could sleep soundly with not a peep outside.      

Lucky

Tonight we went to Fort Wayne to the hospital to visit my husbands brother. He will be there for about ten days if there are no complications. We stayed to visit  a few hours as he is tired of sitting still and watching T.V. He showed us the incisions on his stomach in two places. I stopped counting when I hit thirty staples. It looked like something Frankenstien had. My husband said, "Your not going to look very good in a bathing suit anymore". He giggled at that. While we were there nurses were in and out checking this and that. They stuck him with a needle in the arm and missed the vein. I had to leave for a bit as I can' t stand needles. Going down the hallway it's to quiet for me, it smells funny and people look sad in a hospital. How can a place be full yet the halls be so empty? I feel lucky to have my health. I really should take better care of myself, be kinder to myself. Smile more and enjoy more. Today I feel lucky.    

Trash

Today we had to get out and drive. I like to stay tucked in one day a week and not move a vehicle. Just stay home, however today we needed to go get a trailer load of wood to keep our house staying warm. (I wish spring would hurry up!) So we had to drive.On the way there I noticed now that the snow is completely gone you can see all the trash. It was everywhere, glass bottles, cans and papers all along the ditch. When we had stopped and were loading the wood I noticed 6, yes 6 plastic bags go flying carefree across the open field. More trash, everywhere I looked I saw it, all over the landscape. It made me sad that all this trash came from negligent people that were to lazy to throw it away properly. I try to teach my students to respect the earth, the land... I hope they are listening to me. When it warms up I will walk along the road, as I do every spring and pick up the trash bordering my property. At least my corner of the earth is clean!  

Leaves

Today was beautiful outside. The sun was shining with happiness. It felt good, the warmth on my face that made me smile. I went to the barn to find the rake. I hate to rake. As kids my parents made us rake the front yard every year. Because that is the yard people saw when they drove by our house. Every year all five of us were out there all day until it was done. If dad was there, you were not going to get out of it-ever. When asked why we did this his answer was , it made the grass look good. So we all raked out the old grass that had died over the winter.
When I got a house of my own I vowed I would never rake just the grass. I don't. However I have the  leaves of many oak trees. I watch them blow around all fall and winter. I secretly hope they will all blow into the woods. Of course many do, but not all of them. So today I started raking in my flower beds and around the house.(not the grass) I do like the smoky smell of burning leaves. So it was a beautiful  day which I enjoyed raking leaves.      

Forgot

I woke up jumped out of bed, saw 3 deer walking across the yard. That's when I thought...I forgot to slice yesterday. Sitting here at this computer is the first thing I am doing today. How did that happen? Well right after school I had to work my shift at the carnival. I set everything up for the cake walk, took tickets and smiled at the children with their parents. Exhausting. I rushed home made dessert for the evening. Sat at my computer and I thought ,Wow no one has sliced yet, I will look again later... on to frying the potatoes. Pick up the house in a flurry. Because my daughter has invited a new fellow over to meet us, eat and play cards. He called, he is going to be late. Has to move something in the house for his mother. Thanks nice. I like that, a boy helping mom! OK. Turn everything off. Wrap in foil, keep it hot and daughter calm. Phone rings again. Man coming to buy pop-up camper now. Was on Craig's list for two weeks, that was fast. Husband named price. Sold. Coming now. OK. Camper has new home and going to Georgia for spring break with a new family with 3 little girls. Now more room for our graduation party. Camper drives out...fellow drives in. Supper still warm. Yes!  He was very nice.  Lots of laughs and giggles. Husband and I beat them nine games to their one. The old people ROCK. Its midnight. All I see is the clock and I'm very sleepy. In bed and out like a light,until now. Panic. Check other blogs. Smile,as  most of friends slices sound tired also for a Friday night. They will forgive me...I'll slice twice today.  Just Forgot!  

Books

When I say books, I mean professional books. When looking at my shelves at school I had noticed I not only have one shelf but several.I have been a collector over the past years when I was teaching writing. Now however in the classroom I tend to only use the ones I rely on. I still treasure the signed copies. But those ones we all bought just because or are collecting dust. The ones for book studies only used once. My daughter said sell them mom. My husband said are you going to read them again? Nope. Then sell them. So I cleaned a bit and sold them on-line. I can use the money for other books I want.( I always want more-you all understand) For now I have a clean shelf at school. I'm excited about that!  

Singing

It is so loud in my house I can hardly think. I may as well stop watching T.V. I listen. It sure is loud. Its beautiful. Its my daughter singing at the top of her voice in the shower. Shes got rhythm and melody. Every night I get to hear this concert for free. For years it had been that way in this house. When all 4 were home it was one shower after the next. Each daughter belting out her favorite songs. Then on trips they would sing in the car with the radio. My favorite is Ain't no mountain high enough, they sing it perfect.Next year when the last one is at college I will miss all this singing. So maybe I'll have to start. Just for fun I belted it out walking out to the barn. My husband said- what was I doing ? I'm not the girls.  I was really good. Guess not. I best leave all the singing to the daughters. For now I get to still have a free concert every night. Better than the Voice and American Idol? You bet!

Slices

Every night this month I do the same thing before bedtime, I read the slices. It is just as much fun as going to the mailbox. I get all excited and giddy as I open each BONS blog page. I can't wait to read the words. I smile. I giggle. I chuckle. I imagine you all and the smiles on your faces as you are writing.We are connected. Its fun to hear your stories and see what is important in your lives. Its the little things that we notice. I feel I know your families better, your children, wishes and dreams.Its a gift we give each other and its free. I can't wait to open my computer tomorrow night and read your slices! :)

Cooking

I like to cook. When the girls were little I cooked lots. I had a huge garden and I picked, froze, plus canned everything I grew. When I think back I wonder how I did all of that, take care of everyone in the family and work. Now I get food already prepared at the bakery from Wal-Mart. That's why my card group gives me, fruit to pick up. They don't ask me to bake. Oh well, much easier. However almost every week-end we have one meal at the cottage. The cars drive in. Rex grills and I cook. I spend my fair share of time looking at cooking magazines, thumbing through cookbooks. I spend time watching cooking shows and cooking wars on T.V. I spend time making a list for the grocery store to get the right ingredients. Plus during the day while working I think,"What will I make for supper tonight?" Cooking is a big deal. We have to make sure the family has fruits, veggies,and meat. Plus we have to make it yummy. I think about this subject to much. I wish I had a chef somedays! Gotta go Cook!
  

Sundays

This Sunday is like no other. We seem to spend every Saturday night at the cottage. Sometimes it's because we have card group. Sometimes it's because our neighbors or friends come over. That's when we are up until two a.m. Others it's just because its our little get away for the week. Something for us to look forward to, a place to slow down and regroup. So Sundays (everyone) my husband makes breakfast. I doesn't matter if we are at the cottage or home. Before our morning show, Sunday Morning,he starts frying the bacon. That's when you hear footsteps coming up the stairs or the cars rolling in. Then blueberry pancakes follow with a glass of juice.The past few weeks we hear the car doors slam and in they come, our daughters plus a few extra. They all say how they love Sundays because of the breakfast. My husband loves doing this and so the tradition continues. His hope is that, every Sunday he will fry the bacon and they...
will come!  

Years

On the way to playing cards tonight we went through the town where I grew up as a little girl. Looking out the window as my husband drove I noticed big, no huge, trees along the way. I can remember looking out the bus, nose pressed on  the chilly window seeing those same trees going to school. How long have they stood there rooted in the same soil? How many travelers have passed them by seeing their beauty? How many have enjoyed the shade they have given? Countless birds and critters have lived in the shelter they have provided.I am 50 years old ,was what I  thought, those trees will live longer than me. I hope they stand tall and proud for everyone to notice.

What?

What am I writing about now? I don't know
Why is this so hard this week? I have no ideas.
What am I making for supper?Casserole, my favorite.
Why is my black chicken not coming into the hen house? I think she is dead.
What is woodchuck barking at? Nothing like normal.
Why is my house always a mess?Because I hate to clean.
What am I going to watch on television tonight? Everything until 11:00.
Why is my daughter not home yet? Because she is babysitting.
What time will I get up tomorrow? A half hour later.
Why do I have to take fruit to card club? Because you buy everything at Wal-Mart.
What is this slice about ? Nothing.
Why did you write this? My friend Ruth did when she was stuck.
Tomorrow is another day. Just keep trying...
What????

Free

Tonight Tyson and I went on our trip to Elkhart. Each month we get to go once, to the Feed the Children store to fill our bags with what ever we want for school and home. We make a trip of it. First we stop at E&S Sales in Shipshewana. We always have an ice cream cone there! Then we stop at Rise and Roll to purchase donuts, breads and pies. Then we go to the free store. Just show your badge and you get in if your school is signed up. Ruth M. I know your school is because I asked some teachers in there and yep they knew you! Ruth A. your school and MaryHelens may also be. Teachers are there stuffing goodies in those bags until they can't hold anymore. I get stuff for school and home. I get so excited. I use my goodies for gifts too. Today I got Easter prizes to give the kids. Some stuff is the same, and other times they have new cool things. It is so much fun! Then we stop at Subway on the way home. Once home the girls paw through my bags and take what they want. Tharon even took a box of 25 binders to give to college friends. Next month maybe I can meet some of you there. We go every month!!!    * I got you all a little surprise when I see you all next.  

Pizza

Tonight for supper we had pizza. This year I have been trying to make pizza once a week after I read this article in my Mother Earth News magazine on how you should eat pizza and the many ways to make it. My family seems to eat it. That means it is a winner. I use my yeast roll recipe for the crust then the rest is a work in progress. My grandson and I constructed pepperoni, Canadian bacon, fried bacon, mushrooms,asparagus(on half) and cheese. His fingers were in it licking and tasting. I just smiled as I was having just as much watching him. He had on his auntie's apron that great grandma had sewn, sitting on the counter covered in flour.. She had worn it many years ago when she helped me cook. (Boy I sure kept a bunch of things). Everyone enjoyed the meal. Even the asparagus was yummy. (I try to get in veggies) My husband wanted to buy a pizza at Wal-Mart last night. I'm glad I said I wanted to make my own. I hope I have inspired you to dust off the cookbook or look online for a new pizza recipe your family will enjoy!
Everybody loves pizza- make one together!

Bathtime

My grandson is coming over every night this week with his dad, as my daughter is in Los Angeles for her work. So after we eat supper, dad and grandpa go to the barn. Then we play chase around the house and hide and seek. We get out the old barn with animals and ride the horse up and down. After grandma (me) is all pooped out its time for the bathtub. He gets out all the toys in his special drawer. He throws them into the tub. We put Mr. Fishy over the spout and the water runs the entire time so he can put cups under the rushing sprinkle. I during this time have one leg in the tub and one leg out cutting his hair, I'm not sure how I got this job other than my daughter is cheap like me. She says, "Oh mom you cut dad's hair, you can do it." He went once to get it cut and didn't like it. So I'm the hair cutter. He will not sit still so I thought tub time might work. I cut half one night then trim the next night. One sitting is to much. By the time he is out I'm just as wet as he is. He swims fast in the tub. He is a big splashy fish I say.After we put baby lotion all over both of us. Dinosaur jammies are next. With a comb in hand he runs out to, pop-pop (Rex) to comb it. Then they go home. I will see him tomorrow night for bathtime. (I love it) P.S. I have been sleeping good!  

Bachelor!

Tonight I am watching the bachelor. It's the 3 hour finale and I have watched them all this season. It is hard to believe that this man, Shawn, had to kiss on all these women daily before he found the right girl. Each one he led on until the end. When it came down to the final two you really did not know who he was going to pick. The girl he sent away lost love. The one he picked found it.
Living in a household of girls my husband has to watch pieces of these shows as that is the channel turned on. Most times he covers his head with his fuzzy blanket. Tonight he did come up for air just to see who was chosen. When over I turned to him and said," I don't know how hard it is for some people as I knew I was going to marry you the day I met you." Our daughter giggled as they have heard my story of how I kissed him at our high school graduation saying I'd be waiting around for him. He in turn told me not to hold my breath! Two years of writing letters and phone calls he finally asked my out. I said "yes" to a ride on his motorcycle and a steak dinner. He knew then I was the one.(That's what he tells me.)
So to me it wasn't hard to find love, I just knew! I'm married to my best friend in the world. To someone I can't wait to see each and everyday. Someone I have grown old with. Forever and Always, he always tells me! I'm so blessed.
I know each of you have a similar story.Because of us there are 5 less bachelors GO BONS!! Give your fellow a big hug and kiss :)

Horse

It has been in our house for 15 years. It came from a garage sale. When I found it I couldn't believe my luck. To find such a toy in such good shape. When I brought the horse home Tharon was almost to big for it. It didn't  matter. She climbed on it anyway with her little cowboy hat. When she bounced on it the horse went up and  down up and down. I could see in Tharon's eyes she was flying on that horse through the mountainous terrain with Indians chasing her. The springs were stretched out but the horse kept going. Soon the horse was passed on to Riley and she had many adventures in the wild west. I could see Tharon missed it and would sneak a ride on it but knew she was getting to big. That horse sure has trotted many miles looking straight ahead. Now my grandson saw the horse in the basement the other day. It was covered in dust- long forgotten. Sitting just waiting for another adventure. As we carried it up into the living room my grandson could hardly wait to get boosted up into the saddle. Feet in stirrups he took the reins and the horse was flying, going up and down up and down. I  could see a sparkle in the aunties eyes as they watched and remembered adventures they had on Horse.      Giddy-up Cowboy

Uncertain

Today I went to my cousins baby shower. She is 46 and just had her first baby after tying for years. She is a cute bundle of joy that will have everything in life my cousin can give her. She will be the only child and the only grandchild for my uncle and aunt. She, as well as them are blessed. I was so excited to meet little Gracen.
However my word today is uncertain- that is because I had to see the rest of my family there. I drove 3 hours and had to sit with those who live 15 min. from me but yet I never see, never talk to, never have anything to do with. So tonight as I write this I feel uneasy and ready to cry as my family is sometimes hard to deal with. I wish for the perfect family, and I want my girls to always love one another. But once sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws come into the picture it can change. If you all get along and have things in common it can be wonderful spending time together on the other hand if you do not agree on issues or how they treat your siblings it can be very hard. I feel like I can't say a word, or be myself, or laugh, I can't say anything about my life. Words, actions, and what you wear are all criticized. So I was uncomfortable and tried to think of an excuse to leave and go home early. Which is what I did. Yet here I am doubting myself because of being around my family for a few hours. Tomorrow I will regroup. I will feel better. But today was a tough one.

Cards

I know its really late...really, really late. I want to go to bed, but I told myself I would write everyday. So here I am writing. We had such fun tonight going to Menards then out for a burger. Took a car load to college to work out. That was at ten, I knew then it was going to be late. Back to the cottage just for a little bit. Well that turned into hours. I don't know what it is about that place but in roll the cars and the cards hit the table. My husband loves to play cards. When the neighbors and college kids come over, the competition is on. That is what is was tonight. No one wanted to leave until they won. That took awhile. Lots of laughs and giggles. On the way home I said, That old table sure has had a bunch of card players at it. My husband smiles as he loves to play cards! Pretty much every weekend the cards are flying on that table. :)    

Off

My daughter is off from school. She is on spring break this week, So we have been...
cooking all her favorite foods.
having her friends over to play cards.
staying up late.
exercising every night.
laughing and giggling.
watching all her favorite movies.
going to visit uncles and aunts.
having the sisters over.
going shopping.
eating ice cream every night.
going on a road trip to see relation in Michigan.
She wanted to work and stay home on her spring break. We have enjoyed her home.
Next week its back to college, tests, papers, stress.
We are enjoying this week together.

Snow

Last night the snow started coming down. Most schools had already called a 2 hour delay, but not mine. I kept waiting for a phone call but it never rang. For hours I got up turned on the outside light and peered out the window. I would say," It's really blowing out there." "It's really coming down out there." My husband and girls would laugh saying I was worse than a little kid. They thought I would have a 2 hour delay at least. I love 2hr delays as we do not have to make them up. Going to bed I took my phone and placed it on the nightstand just hoping. Then at 5:30am it rang! Yes... not a 2hr delay...A SNOW DAY!!!!
The day begins. I have made breakfast, shoveled the walkway, did the dishes, a load of laundry, and stirred up a batch of homemade bread to bake. Later, I plan to go shopping with the girls, nap and watch my grandson. I want to fit in a walk around the field in my snow boots too. No stress, just a snow day!

Plants

I do NOT have a green thumb. I want one because my mother and grandmother have one. They have beautiful plants all over their homes.  Green accents with blooms,  fragrance aroma hits your senses when you enter.  Me, I have one plant. I do not count the half of one that is about dead. Friends have given me "starts" off their plants and  they end up dead here. I buy plants that are so pretty and within months they meet their fate. But I have one plant that was given to me. It likes it here and grows and grows and grows. I have to give it haircuts as it winds around the plant stand my husband made in high school. It makes me smile as it gives off CO2 to make us breath easy. Sometimes I forget to water it for months. It survive as it likes it here. It's sure is pretty!

* My daughters are laughing as they say this is a lame post. Its all I could think of today!  :)

Cabinet

Tonight we drove over to the cottage to return a cabinet. My husband has been working on it for a week. Taking the door apart on the front and re-gluing it back down. Taking the sides apart and re-nailing it to make it stronger. Polishing it to make it shine again. Filling it with goodies after it was placed back in it's spot near the frig. This cabinet matches the table and chairs that came from the cottage, They belong together. They are not much to look at but to us they have history with the place. So as we carried the cupboard that was there in its place out. My daughter said, "Well this one has more room than that old one, plus it looks better". My reply was, "This one came with the cottage and belongs here. It has a history here with this place. Your dad and I feel some things that came with this cottage belong here for all time. It is part of this place". 'You are right mom it belongs here. " And so, after 3 years of waiting until the kitchen was done enough for it to return... tonight was the night and once again the table, chairs and cabinet are together in the little cottage by Long Lake.

* I love this place!!      

Dresses

So I have 4 daughters. You can just imagine all the dresses in our house. Each girl had to have dresses ( I'm just talking about long formal ones) for each special occasion. Weddings, Dances, Proms and Pageants we have them for all. Some have been shared and worn again by another sister. However some sisters are taller than others, plus others do not wear the same sizes. Then there was the line..".I just have to have this one mom". I would give in and buy it. Who can resist when their daughter looks like a beautiful angel standing before them.
Then I hear this--I don't like the one my sister wore.
It's not in style anymore.
I would never wear that.
(How are they not in style- they are long and pretty.) Well anyway the last daughter is going to her senior prom this year. And yes she wants a new one! But then I will be done with the dresses. Until she decides to do another pageant in college. Now I am trying to find a resale shop to sell  some of them. The girls have decided to keep a few, and shortened a few so they can re-wear them. However I am looking forward to having another closet empty...for real clothes.

**Have you seen the movie 27 Dresses, that is how our closet looks. I think we have more. I am not going to count them as I will not believe all the money I have spent over the years. Then again I would not trade a moment and  the memories of them smiling, feeling confident in those beautiful dresses.

Light

You would think on a Saturday I would sleep in. But ,Oh No! The older I get the harder it is to sleep in. I am programmed to wake up at 6:30. So today is no different. I wake up roll around trying not to wake my husband. Then I decide to just get up. I think my husband is glad, as now there is no snoring for him to listen to. It is still dark out and no one is stirring. This morning I decide I am not going to use electricity( maybe my bill will go down a little). So I light the old oil lamp and place it next to my computer. Here is a lamp that is over 100 years old beside a computer with today's technology. As I sit working on my lesson plans for next week. I smell the kerosene, feeling the warmth of the glowing light given to me by the lamp. It makes me feel as if I am in a log cabin in  the old days with the pioneers. How many times  has this lamp been filled with oil? How many times has it has been lit by a match over the years? How many eyes have used it to light the way for them? Finished... I take a break and call my mother who I know wakes early. Yep, she is up in 18 inches of snow at her cabin in Michigan. She has been up since 4:30 stitching on hats she is making. She is making 20 today she tells me. She thinks mornings are the best. She is using a gas lamp, as I tell her about my oil lamp. She understands as she likes to use them too. She says yes we do not sleep in anymore but we take naps later in the day. She is right. I blow the lamp out as daylight sprinkles in the room. Light...Let there be light. My day continues!         

Rugs

If I think hard about why I have this need to have rugs around my house, I guess its because my mom had them in our house growing up.
They keep your feet warm.
Catch crumbs
Place to put your shoes on.
Keep the soil and mud from entering the room.
All snow melting stays on them.
Dogs curl up for warmth.
Children play on them with toys.
They sit in front of appliances for beauty.
Slip and slide around the house on them.
Some pieces of furnature have a place of honor sitting upon them.
Its a little bit of country.

This past week I went to visit the Amish lady who makes rugs. I love all the colors! I dig through the  wooden box filled with them ooohhhhh and ahhhhing over all the beautiful designs. I buy 6.

Just for fun I count around my house...I have 22
At my cottage...I have 8
I guess I do like rugs!

To me they are beautiful