Hello Sweet Friends ~

I've been here and there reading your blogs, keeping up with most of you although not always commenting.  Sounds like there are lots of you who have been sick with the flu or cold or have someone in your family that has been sick.  It's been like that around here too.  Mr. B has had a second round of chest congestion and the worst cough that just seems to linger.  Started again the day after Christmas and is just now letting up.

I mentioned in my last post that I was making some changes and would have some new things to share.  Well, I have made changes, starting with my blog layout and background.  I purchased this layout from Amy at www.amybug.com and had her add the words under my blog name.  I like the new look and my intention is to share pictures of my kiddos, new items that I create and notes of interest as well as adding buttons from other bloggers and their websites.  So if you'd like to have your button included you can email it to me.

I'm not done yet, still doing some tweaking and adding.

Like so many of you, I've been working on "ORGANIZING" - my computer, my closets, my craft room, my storage room, my LIFE!  I've let things go for to long.  I worried that if I didn't get a handle on it right now that I would be on the next "hoarders" show.  -lol-  I purchased more totes, made labels, and proceeded to get after it.  I'm far from finished but I've made a good dent in it.  Took my first load to town today where some went to the GW, the Women's Crisis Center, and TS.  Sad because that's where most of it came from. I know I'm not the only one who buys something thinking they'll do this or that with it and that day never comes.  Always had good intentions but if I haven't touched by now chances are I won't. 

Also went through the decorations that we collected for our kids as they were growing up and since they both have homes of their own now they are getting their collection the next time they visit.

One more thing off my list, bittersweet as it was to part with them.

Working on some Valentines arrangements and putting together some goodies for the 

swap that Amy is hosting ♥ of  Winter Swap~

and getting to know my partner Gina of Cat Nap Inn Primitives!

Excited for this swap-hope you are too Gina!

Look what I got today!

I had a pleasant surprise in the mail today. NO BILLS!  

and best of all was a package from 

Dear Linda "Claus" Parker! 

I am now the proud owner of a special handmade treasure from Linda.

THANK YOU so much Linda for the sweet gift and cute card.

This sweet gift brightened my day and made me smile just when I needed a little hug.

I was feeling sad about the loss of my uncle who passed away this week.

Another leaf fallen from my very small family tree.  

This is a picture of our backyard taken today.  Unlike last year at this time when we had so much snow.

We've had temps in the high 40's for about a week and a half now.  Barely any snow in the foothills beyond the field in this picture. I don't mind the dry roads but our water source depends on the snowfall in the mountains and it's pretty low compared to last season.  

But if we want to play in the snow all we need to do is drive two hours and . . . . . . . 

there it is! 

 

This is my son with Jonas on the snow hill created by the neighbor and his plow.

They were taking a test run on the new steering sleds the boys got for Christmas.  The top picture is the view from the front of our daughter's house.  SIL pushing Alex on his sled.

My mountain man son and his sweet dog Bela.  My first grand-dog and if ever there was a dog to clone this would be the one.  She will be 12 this summer. He found her in June of 2000 left at the roadside, small enough to fit in his pocket, she has been with him ever since. She's just the right size and a sweetie. Doesn't like to be in the cold and he's always taken good care of her. That's her new bed she got for Christmas and it didn't take them long to belly up to the wood stove after playing out in the snow with the boys.

That's it for now.  I still have a few other projects I'm working on while I have Mr. B at home to help out.  He hasn't had much work in several months.  Construction projects are being cancelled left and right around here so we aren't sure what's coming up for work. Praying that this year will be better for this country by putting more folks back to work, so far it's not looking to good.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Blessings and warm hugz~

Sheila