Black Bear Cabin Furniture

Well---guess we have a new "cottage industry." Dean made a beautiful one-of-a-kind coffee table. It's irrigularly shaped, and has slabs of tree-trunk for the legs. He put "inlace" in the worm holes, and put a fine finish on it---with son Jamie's help. We sold it for $600, to friends who ordered it, and then found a furniture store that will pay that much for it unfinished. The people who bought it LOVE it, and want all their friends to come and see it. We then took a similarly styled bench to this furniture store and they bought it for the wholesale price of $300. They will probably double that. So we are very grateful (God is Good) that Dean can do this to earn extra money. When he's not doing orders, he can make things to sell at this store. He's also making a bookcase for someone, and a double computer desk with book shelves for my brother. All this with NO advertising. We are so excited. I made him some business cards yesterday, and we put together a little portifolio of things he's made for me around the house. This is just such a blessing. Hoo-Ray!!!

Jamie our son has been coming over every day to help his dad on these wood projects. At this particular time in our life (and James too) I think this is divine intervention. It's just such a blessing to have him here. We are so enjoying him----and I really think he is enjoying us. We have spent the least amount of time with him since he's been an adult. We really love him of course and we really like him. Another Blessing.

Tonight we played cards/dominoes with our Golf Group, and had fun. I just HAD to have a piece of the home-made banana creme pie!!! I am NOT doing well on cutting back on the sugar folks. I try every day, I really do----I have such a HARD time resisting tempation...

Enough rambling (as my friend Ann calls my writing)----:) See ya later aligator!

For ANN only

Ann--I left a comment (back) for you in Feb. 13th's blog!! Love Ya!!

Sunday Night News

Here it is midnight and I thought I'd say a few words.

I just read my friend Trish's Blog-----so enjoyable, and my friend Ann's Blog all about her wonderful husband----also very enjoyable and uplifting. I don't have anything that great to say. I finished the biography I was reading about Jimmy Stewart. It was very interesting and his personlity was not what I thought it was. He was a VERY conservative, somewhat repressed, up-tight Presbyterian (sorry if any of you are of that persuasion), staunch Republican who didn't marry until he was in his 40's. His dad had enormous influence over him his whole life and Henry Fonda was his best friend, even if they didn't agree about politics. We always think of him related to 'It's a Wonderful Life" but that movie wasn't even popular in it's day! Interesting, huh?

I cleaned out my closet (I HATE that job) and cleaned the den----except for dusting the bookshelves. In my house dust is a "country" accent. Whenever I dust it just comes back. I'm working on de-cluttering my house as best I can with a husband who is a pack-rat, and doesn't want to let go of ANYTHING----for sentimental reasons!!! I asked him to pick up some trash that spilled in my wastebasket today, and I saw him pick out the rubberband that was in there!! GOOD GRIEF!! We are soooooooo different in this area. I'm striving to be like my daughter-in-love, Rachael----When something comes into their house---something else goes OUT. I love this and am T R Y I N G to do it. sigh....

I made chili today (really good) and tomorrow I have to buy a new remote b/c ours died. I hate when that happens. I can't complain, this one lasted for almost 10 years!

Sherri's sister-in-law, Leah had a baby girl, Sarah Nicole----under 6 lbs. I'm not sure that spelling is correct. I can't wait to see her. Tomorrow is another day..... (Gosh I'm so profound I can't stand it!) =)

Almost Heart-Day

Tomorrow is Valentines Day and today I went to a Valentine Party for the Home-Schooler's today. There were about 60 kids, and we did a craft, made some cards for Veterans, delivered valentines, and had a snack. The kids really enjoyed it. I brought Caleb home, and he is now sleeping so I can get this done. I cut his hair (bowl cut) and he looks so cute. I cut Dean's hair last week. I mostly do scissor cuts, as I'm not as handy as my daughter is with the clippers. Caleb is so much company, and I sure love having him here. Of course I love having all the kids one-on-one, and getting to know their individual personalites.

Sherri, who has all of my grandchildren staying at her house (her 4 + Jamie's 3) keeps having sick kids. Katie and Bekah are almost well---Noah and Lexie have it now----3 more to go. So far no adults have gotten it and I hope it stays that way. Dean is staying well away from the "sickies" and so far so good.

Jamie has been here almost every day helping his Dad & that is so good. Dean is not a loner like I am, and I know he appreciates the help and the company. For those of you who don't know---Dean is now making furniture and has a few customer's lined up. He has a coffee table made out of hackberry almost done, and is also working on a double computer desk.

Well it's almost 12:35 am and I think I'm going to bed. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!!

Thursday Stamping

It snowed BIG beautiful flakes today. I took a walk and am tying to follow my (exercise) plans for Lent. Jamie, my youngest son was here helping his dad today. Dean is so enjoying this "bonding" time with him. They are making furniture. When the kids were small and we had 2 boys and a girl, we always thought that when they were older they would live by us and the boys would be such a help. The "son-in-love" Brian is the one who usually helps when Dean needs it, because that's who we live by. He is a real blessing to us. John is long way away in Montana, and Jamie was in a road-band for years, and made his home in Colorado. He is here for a little time now, and it's so nice to see him every day----a real joy.

Sherri and I went to our friend Trish's house to make cards tonight. We had such an enjoyable time. Sher has 2 sick girls at home, and so she has been especially busy. So it was nice to get away for a couple of hours. We always learn something new at Trish's, and it's just fun to craft and talk with a group of other women.

I'm trying really hard to thank God every day for the abundance of blessings in my life and today was certainly one of them. Spending time with my son and husband, and then my daughter and friends (esp. Trish) was great. A few of the grandkids are coming over tomorrow and I know that will be enjoyable. Talk to you later.....

Fun With The Girls.

We've been having a crummy few weeks financially. I'm just gonna "whine" a little bit here. The fan went out on our pellet stove ($300); the garage door opener broke ($110), Flat tire---2 new tires ($190) and now we have a leak in our plumbing system. Where? We don't know----have to find it. Sigh........

We had a GREAT day today. Sherri & I took the girls to Walton Arts Center to see a play "ADDY" and it was FANTASTIC! It was done by the Seattle Childrens Theater---lasted 1 1/2 hours and we were rivited the whole entire time. Just Fabulous. Then we went out to eat at Olive Garden, then to Target and just fun to be together. We came home where "Pop" was watching the boys, and then Jamie came with his 3 kids, and I made grilled cheese sandwiches for everyone and it was a fun family time. I absolutely LOVED it. And that's what it's all about, right? Thank you God for this blessing of family, love, and fun all in one day.

JAN. BOOK REPORT

I just finished reading SONGS IN ORDINARY TIME by Mary McGarry Morris. It was 740 pages. This is the 2nd book I've read by this author (THE LOST MOTHER was the other one). She is an excellent story-teller and draws you in. The people in her books have miserable lives. Why? This story takes place in Vermont in 1960 and revolves around one central dysfunctional family and about 5 others in a very small town. It's about their inter-connectedness and how one's action can affect a lot of people. I don't understand why tho, they are all so very unhappy. She is such a good story teller tho, that you want to keep reading to find out what happens. But there's no redemption!!! Still, I may try one more book by her. She's a highly acclaimed author and likened to a contemporary Dickins. I did write her and asked a few questions and I hope she responds.

So thought I'd share with you all and I'll have more "book reports" coming in future weeks....