L = Linzy Lou!

L i n d s a y

aka "Small Child"

Affectionately dubbed
"Our Little Circus Freak"
:  )

Lindsay (right) with Jen (Baby Girl)



~ Virtuous Photography ~
Yes! Lindsay is also a shutterbug!

Follow Lindsay's photog adventures at 

Virtuous Photography on Facebook!

♥

. . . fun at the Diner!

Resident "Snack Monster"

One of the BFFs!

First "catch"! : )

Saved the Day at the ADSFR!

(always loved this pic!)

Daredevil!  If only you could see the close up of her face!

ZZ and Keller Bug!

Gettin' her groove on  down the boardwalk!

"Helping" Mom with an art show!

J is for . . .

Meet Jennifer!

aka Baby Girl

Jennifer and Lindsay (aka Small Child)!

Jen won Best of Show in Photography

at the 2010 Festival of Flowers!

Then she took off doing mini-sessions and weddings!

Check out her work on the Soulshine Gallery Blog 

or at the Soulshine Gallery Website!

Follow  Soulshine Gallery on Facebook!

Baby Girl and her "Best Girl"
aka Granbaby Girl!

Jen and Tyler (our son-in-love)!

Visit Jen's Blog at The White House (est. 2005)!
You'll find some yummy recipes there, among other things!

♥

My Girls!  Yo Baby, Yo!

Toss in the Joy of cooking, a little Jazz 
and Juicing and a whole lot "Jesus' got this" 
and you find Life is Good!

Transitioning . . .

The boot came off!  But, I'm not sure my life is "normal" again. Before I broke my foot, my days were filled with giggles and toys - occupied by my Granbaby Girl! She started daycare while I was convalescing.  She's doing fine with it.  Me?  Not so much. Though I've always had a to-do list that would boggle your mind, I find myself wandering around the house not sure what to do with my time. I look at my list and accomplish a lot, but I miss the little punkin-head tugging on my shirt-tail, watching movies, building Lego towers and watering plants.

I know it's a transition.  I've had many.  Before Keller came along, I was caregiver for my husband's aunt.  Before that, my mom became ill.  Before that my great aunt became sick, then my art business took off  Before that I was occupied trying to furnish two condos to rent.  I remember a bit of a lull between the condo rush and homeschooling.  Otherwise all these things sorta overlapped ... keeping me bouncing from here to there. Mix in gardening and canning and blogging and art shows and health issues and you'll understand how things seemingly came to a halt when I broke my foot.

The health issues have slowed me down a bit.  I'm a little rebellious in that area. I'm fighting with everything I've got ... including, but not limited to (that's the legal-ese coming out!) improving my diet, natural remedies, moderate exercise (for now) and pacing myself, which is difficult when you are accustomed to going full-speed-ahead.  Except for a couple of events, I'm taking this year off from the art show circuit (I'll still be painting - once I get back into the groove!). Gotta strengthen my body and take things at a slower pace.  I keep reminding myself  "God's got this" and his timing is always right.  I suppose it's His way of saying 'slow down and appreciate the little things'.

I guess Gramma just needed a play date!  We had one last night!  Craft Night at Keller-Bugs!  We made "Balentines" and hand prints and masks.  She glued buttons and peeled stickers and colored and Jen made imprints of her hands on small canvases.  It's the first time we haven't had two or three cameras flashing around the little diva!  She's coming for a visit this afternoon, so maybe we can have a re-do!!!

Have a grand weekend y'all!!

I ventured out today by myself.  First time in over six weeks.  The boot came off two days ago.  I'm taking it slow and cautious.  As instructed I am swapping the boot from the now healed broken foot to the other bad foot in an effort to alleviate some of the pain by immobilizing it.  We'll see.  Not very optimistic about it.  Doc is pretty certain it's nerve pain and arthritis.  MRI and x-rays show no reason for the kind of pain I'm having in that foot. 

I Can Do This!

I've be forced to re-evaluate my activities - which is the last thing I wanted to do once getting out of that boot.  You should see the to-do notebook list I've compiled.  I'm reducing the 7-9 outdoor art shows (which has been my regular routine the past four years) to only 1 in 2012.  Only one.  O-N-E.  It's an easy one day event nearby with lots of help.  Physically I just cannot take on what I have in the past.  Because of the orthopaedic issues, I also had to give up keeping my angel/granbaby girl full time.  That was spiritually excruciating.  I mourned.  I grieved.  I finally came to accept it (sorta-kinda-in a way).  Then, she got to stay with me Friday ... the day after the boot came off.  I never realized how tired I was each day and how much energy it took the last two and a half years.  Maybe it's because I've had a low activity level the last five weeks recuperating (along with the fruit salad mix of other issues).  I know I'm not 100% yet ... and may see-saw between good days and bad days.  I'm hoping for more good than bad.  I will pace myself.  Save up the energy for get-togethers and pressing activities.  My glass is half-full!  My heart is even fuller!  I ♥ my family and look forward to regaining a familiar pace!

Anywho!  I ventured out today and had lunch with my sister and then made a ever so slow walking tour stop by the garden center at Lowes.  The seed-starting trays had arrived.  I bought a couple to go with the ones I already had.  As well as another two long, narrow planters for shallow things (i.e. chives, green onions, lettuces, etc.) to grow on my back porch.  I also acquired two very large pots to grow a couple of potato varieties in.  Tomorrow I will get the seeds I've been gathering in their respective containers and place them in my little greenhouse off the dining room.  I'm hoping all the seeds will germinate into healthy, strong transplants for my spring garden. This will be the first time I've tried to plant a garden without buying transplants.

 

There is so much to be done.  Inside and outside.  My studio is a complete wreck.  I can't even begin to think about returning to painting before that declared disaster site is cleaned up.  Before that happens, the overflow from the pantry must be dealt with ... thanks to my canning projects that require the more sturdy shelving location.  The guest room is also a declared disaster because of the orthopaedic apparati (is that even a word?!) occupying the room ... most of which can be put in the garage, which in and of itself has it's own micro-chaos.  Not as bad as it was before my husband took advantage of my clumsiness on crutches and took over the much needed task of, shall I say 'attempting to organize' MY garage?  A very valiant attempt at that!  Add the dining room table where all my business records are scattered ... not to mention the back porch where gardening chaos reigns because I had the metal shelving on the porch relocated to the greenhouse for my seed starting.  Did I just come full circle?! 

I'm pacing myself.  This will take awhile!   I'm extending grace to myself. I'm venting using y'all as a therapeutic release!  And, BTW,

Favorite Things Friday!

It's Favorite Things Friday, Y'all!

Welcome to My Other Palette!

Glad you stopped by!


Appropriately!  A favorite thing!  My Granbaby girl, Keller!

Being the end of another year and resolutions looming for many,

I often simply reflect on the past year and celebrate it with joy and thanksgiving. 

Yes!  The good, the bad and the ugly. 

The struggles, the blessings, the differences and the shortcomings. 

These things ultimately make us who we are. 

Or I should say, how we react to these things makes us who we are. 

Be grateful to everyone and for everything. 

It's all crossed our path for a reason.  For reasons we may ever know.  

One of my favorite things to do is pull out my journal for the year passing and read.  

I often follow that reflection with a "Dear God" letter, pouring out my heart,

asking for his guidance and protection and grace and wisdom during the upcoming year. 

He hasn't failed me yet!  But, oh so many times I have failed Him.  I am a work in progress.
 I'm learning to exercise grace towards myself and be more forgiving of myself.

I am also an anal list maker so it would be un-natural for me not to make a list of some kind

of expectations for 2012!  Keeping it simple!  You'll notice a pattern! 

1.  Make my bed every single day

(self-discipline and good start to the morning)

2.  Take my supplements every single day

(self-discipline and keeps my insides functioning)

3.  Get some form of exercise every single day

(self-discipline and strength for getting thru each day)

Sure, there are tons of other things in my life that should probably be on that list,
but, these are the things I struggle with  daily .... others come naturally.

Click to Join  > Friday~Favorite Things!

While reflecting on past journals, I came across a post I copied from my mom's My Space page a few years back.  Mom passed away in 2009, less than a week after my first grandchild was born.

"I can't , for the life of me, understand myself. Why would I try to understand someone else? As I look back over my life I see so much wasted time. Time I could have used in much more useful ways. Ways that would encourage, enlighten or lift up someone else. Maybe just a word or a "God bless you" or an "I love you" would have helped. Too often (and I am guilty) we spend the majority of our time on trying to satisfy our own self wants. What can I get? What do I need? What would make me happy? And nine times out of ten when we get it, it doesn't change anything. We are still in that rut of misery. Still wanting and still searching. My prayer is "God, help me to see things differently than I have in the past. Help me to be what you want me to be. Material things that we struggle to acquire don't mean that much so why do we worry. You said in Your Word that the flowers do not toil and that you are mindful of our every need . Help me to totally put my faith in you and let the desires of my heart be to be more like you. Help me to encourage those I come in contact with, to pray for each and everyone that I meet, and to say, "I love you and God bless you” to all who cross my path. Let me be a vessel that your love pours from , a shoulder to cry on, or just a good listener for those who need someone to talk to. I may not be able to solve problems but I can point them to the problem solver. I may not be able to lift them, but I can show them one whose hand is always extended and has all the strength we need. One who will never fail you, and who will always be there for you through sickness, health, or financial crisis. One who never leaves your side. One who, if you will just stop, be still and quite, relax, you can feel His arms around you and hear His voice of assurance. I thank You for Your love for me and I ask that You help me to show this same type of love to others. Help me realize the real desires of my heart are not material but are spiritual. Something that I can really build a future on."

 

 

May God bless you in the coming year! 

May you be a blessing in the coming year!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve Y'all!



Keller and her
"Cookie Bread Man House"

What a month!  It takes four times as long to accomplish a task

while using a pair of crutches to keep from hitting the floor!

So goes the last few weeks after breaking my foot.

Thank Heaven for Christmas Elves!

If it weren't for them, there would have been no Christmas Tree,

no cookies, no presents, and likely no clean clothes or dishes!

I must admit although the last few weeks have been tough

(not just my foot, but ... well, read the previous post),

my heart is full of grace towards myself for not

accomplishing that mile-long Christmas to-do list.

Many, many ideas were scratched, giving way to fewer,

less stressful endeavors, ideas and dreams. 

Less stress at Christmas.

What a novel idea!

What's on your Wish List this year?

Mine includes:

another fire extinguisher for the house

(precautionary - my neighbors' home burned down this week)

my kitchen knives being sharpened

(I do plan to return to cooking soon!)

a bottle of cod liver oil for my stocking.

(Vitamin D has bottomed out).

My family home for Christmas.

Joy - Laughter - Blessings!

Life is Good.

Be Blessed! and,

Be a Blessing to someone else!



This too will pass.  I keep telling myself that.  Hobbling around on my gimpy foot.  Had myself a pity party this morning over something as simple as wanting a cup of coffee.  It passed as well.  I managed to make it to the coffee pot.  Pumpkin Spice coffee is brewing.  Getting back to the chair with a cup is yet to be seen!  I retrieved an insulated Starbucks coffee cup from the cabinet.  If the lid proves to be spill proof and the weight of carrying it my pocket doesn't pull my pants down around my ankles and trip me up on these crutches, I will have conquered the return of another "normalcy" in my life.  Ugh.  And today only marks one week.

 

I'm missing my granbaby girl, but I know the situation warranted her going to daycare now.  Jen has kept me posted with pics and phone calls.  I felt a little bit of that "failure" thing this morning (along with the coffee subject).  Wishing I had done more crafty things with her.  Wishing I had taken her to the park or other off-site activities.  That's an issue when you keep a child at home.  That darned to-do list (not to mention the frustrating orthopaedic and fatigue issues).  I quickly snapped out of it when I felt that Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder (yeah I know it wasn't a cricket!) reminding me that she started daycare knowing and recognizing her ABC's and basic colors.  We gardened.  We built Lego towers.  We blew bubbles.  We chased shadows outside.  We went for lunch at The Diner.  We had picnics on the living room floor.  We watched movies.  We learned songs.  We read books.  We colored.  We counted oranges and apples and sorted big and little.  We snuggled.  We bonded. 

I miss the little phrases I heard everyday.  "Gramma, let's build color towers",  "Gramma, put my hula on", "Gramma, let's watch Gullah Gullah Island", "Gramma, I missed you so much", and all the other cute things she says!   But, I know she's in good hands.  We're fortunate there was a position open just when we needed it.  Once the frankenfoot has healed, we can spend some more fun time together again .... soon I hope!

She came by last week to show me her nap mat!

The coffee is done!  I'm gonna hobble in there and see how this works out!  I can do this!  Later!

Advent Season Project

 Advent Season

I created an Advent Calendar for my Granbaby Girl, Keller.  We always had one (a good bit smaller) for our girls as they were growing up.  Sharing bits and pieces of the Christmas Story, along with stories and joys from Christmases past, is a grand way to share the joy of Christmas with a child. 

 I've done similar for shut-ins, although instead of an advent calendar we shared The Twelve Days of Christmas.  Although, in my Southern ignorance, I always thought that was the twelve days before Christmas, not the twelve days after.  And since my first child was born twelve days before, it just seemed appropriate.  Anywho!  For twelve days before Christmas, there was a small package for each day to open up to the big day!  Such joy it brought to our elderly friends and family. 

Moving on ...

 

Clear Shoe Bag turned Advent Calendar!



Each Numbered Pocket Holds a Surprise!

These photos were taken last week in anticipation of greeting each day with a visit to the Advent Calendar.  After I had an opportunity to hang it, Keller would stand looking and tell everyone 'put your hands behind your back and don't touch' only to be caught fingering the ribbons!  She'd then emphatically say 'I just wanted to touch the ribbon, granmom'.  Oh, how I miss that little darlin! 

We had to roll the calendar up and send it home with her.  She'll be attending preschool now instead of knocking on my door every morning.  Odd silence after two and half years of seeing her nearly everyday.  Sad silence if I think about it.  I'm trying not to.  Trying to remain 'joyfully' yeah right occupied.  Me and my Frankenfoot.  I'm determined to focus on the joy of the season and this situation!

I have to share a somewhat blurred photo of the team of Elves that put up the most beautiful Christmas tree in my home!  I returned from the orthopaedic clinic Tuesday evening to such a sweet, unexpected sight of towering twinkling lights and giggling.  A pure Christmas blessing!  Thank you!  Thank you!

It's Thanksgiving Eve.

I'm suddenly thrown into doing the preparing

instead of being the guest. 

I won't complain!  It's the kind of rush I thrive on!

And whether you're celebrating the holiday

with 21 or 3, it's still a celebration!

It's the pits not feeling well during a holiday. 

We cancelled our road trip to visit with

family in North Mississippi. 

No pickin' and grinnin' in our holiday this year. 

No Aunt Jenny's Dressing. 

No Annabelle's Chicken on arrival. 

No beautiful music from Chapman on the piano. 

No belly laughs following Uncle Carl's jokes. 

No Chicken Train. 

No shopping at The Sanctuary. 

This also means if we have any semblance

of a Thanksgiving meal, well, you know ....

if it is to be, it is up to me. 

Be advised! There will be short-cuts! 

I suppose the bright side is we will have leftovers! 

There are no leftovers when you travel for Thanksgiving. [sigh]

I'm already missing my Keller Bug. 

 I won't see her again til Monday. 

That's FIVE days, people.  Five.

Ok, gotta change directions and head out to the market. 

Maybe when she finally gets outta bed

Lindsay will be inspired to help with

preparing Thanksgiving sides.  Maybe.

Speaking of inspiration, I'm beginning to feel

some after peering into the pantry and seeing

all those quart jars lined upwith green beans,

new potatoes, sweet potatoes and apples! 

Only need to add a turkey breast,

a pan of Carrington's Dressing, (I did say "short-cut")

Aunt Jenny's Shortcut Dumplings,

some Collards from the garden,

devilled horseradish eggs,

and move bread day to tomorrow.  We're set!

Now, I just have to wave my wand over it all!



It will all come together, complete with centerpiece!
And, deserts.  Oh My!  Another list!
Just you wait and see!  I can do this!

First order of business:

Go to the pharmacy and inquire about

prescription strength Quafenisen.

Gotta dose us both and break up

this lingering congestion.

Enough already.

It's the holidays, for Pete's sake!

Remember!!!  In all things, Give Thanks!

FAIR TIME!

Last Sunday evening our family went to the fair!

This was Keller Bugs first time!

We had a blast! Can you tell?

ZZ got the first ride with Keller on the Bee!

According to Keller, it was Barry the Bee!

Just wait til you see her Halloween costume

Keller's, not Lindsays!

She still talks about the ferris wheel! 

How high up with the stars we were!

And the pony named Barney!

All she wanted was corndogs ...

but the funnel cake was a winner too!

Poppa is hot on her heels!

Looks like an "I'm gonna get you"

moment about to happen!

And the Carousel that swooshed at Mach 5

as if we were in a Nascar race.

I'm just glad she wanted to sit this one out

'cause I might have gotten slung across the fairgrounds.

And the ice-cream! 

Pineapple Whip Soft Serve in a cone! 

High Yum Factor!

The annual fair marks the anniversary of my first date

 with my dear husband ... 33 years ago!

Though we try to go every year for nostalgic reasons,

I confess we have succumed to letting the kids go

while we stay home and eat corndogs

by twinkling lights strung up

in the ceiling of the man-cave.  Yep!

The romance is still there!  What can I say?!

~

All Photographs were taken by my daughter,

Jennifer.  Check out other great photography on

 Jennifer's Blog as well as at Soulshine Gallery!