A New Year 2019

Getting back to the usual day to day.

As I removed all the holiday fare,

and got down to the simple look I now prefer,

 I knew a lot of the holiday

 had to go, as "the purge" continues.

Howie photo bombing 

See my new porch light?

After several years of a black and white 

tree for our main tree, I decided it 

could move on to another home.

I will return to my mercury glass and shiny brites,

and/or my House of Hatten.

After years of avoiding traditional reds,

I'm finding I like them again.

So the un-decorating continued,

and the piles for sale began to accrue.

I sent a photo last night to a pal 

showing her what I was up to;

she then bought all the ornaments.

Well, that was easy.

Now to find a home for all the buffalo check.

Those of you who have been around 

this oldgreymare awhile

 know that I practice what I preach.

In these very uncertain times,

we all need to pause and assess

what we are choosing to do with our lives.

How do we wish to live out our days,

and how are we affecting our planet?

What are the issues we need to address,

 and what appropriate actions will we take.

Who are we able to help?

This is the time of year when I select

my charitable contributions in five categories. 

I'm hoping to still manage my 10% of income,

but medical bills may take a bite, we'll see.

Children's Medical

Wildlife/Animal Rescue

Environmental

Medical Research

Local women/children's Facility

It's time to work my friends.

Need some Ideas? 
(link)

Ben and I will be finishing up my new website

very soon. I'm excited and nervous, 

but he assures me it is as easy as blogger. 

I'm not sure how many items 

I can have in the shop by then, but I'll 

be up in the studio giving it a go.

Stay tuned and I hope you'll follow me over.

Z

News FLASH 

Ben and Helene just called me today - Saturday:
They're engaged!
This mama is thrilled

From my phone as they told me..

Grateful and Glorious

(Ben and Helene on the second half of their holiday in NYC)

I have stared at this white space for awhile now; usually it

just pours out without filter.

Fully describing the Christmas holiday

 is nearly impossible

for me this year.

The kids and grand-dogs arrived a few hours before 

my brother and SIL and we all began the festivities

on Friday the 21st around noon.

It did not stop until the last car and flight left.

Remember I have not spent a Christmas 

with my brother Scott since I was 21, 

and there were often 10 years between any visits.

 Many of those were trips home for me

 when my folks were quite ill.

As adults we had very little interaction,

or time together. 

There simply are no words.

My kids loved them, they loved my kids.

We cooked and cooked and did dishes 

and started it all over, each and every day.

We played games and looked 

at vintage Rennie family photos. 

Scott told them stories that I had forgotten,

and reminded them what their grandparents were like,

since my kids barely knew them.

He helped them understand 

where their Mom came from,

since Ben was only in PA when he was 5 

and Hannah was in utero.

I became a weeping willie, 

tears flowing at the drop of a hat.

I was/am so grateful for these days.

My SIL Crystal and I were sorority sisters, 

we've known each other since we were 17.

Lots of memories and drinking stories there. ahem

These two knew me as a child, a teen. 

They were there as my life

unfolded long before my children's births.

Important stuff.

I know I'm typing words here,

but I keep stopping as the images flow.

Scott fell in love with grand-dog David 

and the feeling was mutual as you can see.

They are cat people but maybe?

I had a list of repairs needed and Ben, Tom and Scott

fixed everything and installed electronics. 

What an incredible gift that was.

One was an exterior light that had been broken for 20 years!

Another was my microwave handle, broken off years ago, 

glued and re-glued till it was hopeless,

and since then I had opened it with a spatula 

stuck up into the bottom of the door!

Tom and Scott working on the door

Aunt Crystal made this cross stitch for Hannah's birth. 

We took a pic to reminisce 28 years later.

Darling daughter painted an old barn on canvas for me,

and Dearest son Ben gave me my 

own oldgreymare website, which will be up and running 

as soon as I learn how. I will be able to have a shop on line,

yahoo, so stay tuned.

Scott and Crystal gave my kids mementos from my folks,

such precious memories.

By now it all had me full out bawling.

I love all these folks so much.

I am blessed beyond imagination,

and so grateful for this family.

Happy New Year to all of you.

A Holiday Evening

The house is prepped and nearly ready.

I will do a final clean a day or so before

anyone arrives.

The exterior will get minimal attention this year.

I have to adjust to changing circumstances.

Now all I need is my family.

Thank you for all the well wishes for Howie.

The new meds he received Sunday have provided 

much needed relief and I hope a biopsy will

not be needed after all.

My antibiotics and meds are free

 but each of his have been at least 60 each?

I pay 134 to medicare but his insurance would be 230?

another crazy factoid of America - √√

Christmas 2018

merry merry my friends

Studio Supply Sale

It is time to downsize the studio

and since so many of you are creative

folks I thought I would see if any of you

might like some of these items:

I tried putting this on my other blog but
discovered I no longer can use. Surprise!
I haven't used since 2011 so no wonder I guess.
If there is enough interest 
 I may set up future links and pay pal button,
as there is a mountain of supplies looking
for new homes.

sorry us mail only

paypal or check

Email me (in profile) if you wish to purchase an item,
or leave me a comment and I'll get back to you.

Also let me know if you wish to receive direct
emails concerning future supplies I am selling.

 1.Collection of flash cards   SOLD

So many wonderful things to do with these,
but I have to draw the line somewhere.

Each word is in

both upper and lower case

180 plus words in the stacks alone

See second pic of word stacks

$120 for all plus 10.00 shipping

(check ebay prices ouch!)

Some longer versions

punctuation

Misc

2. Netty Le Croix Patterns  SOLD

Although exterior pkgs are slightly ruffled

the patterns inside are untouched.

I loved her designs.

Primitive Heaven

All 7 for 28.00 includes shipping

Finally got rid of last remaining large piece 
of furniture by listing it on-line. A huge armoire.
 It went to a lovely young couple 
who just bought their first house
 and they own only a chair and a mattress
on the floor. SO glad it went to them.
I gave it to them for free once they arrived- surprise!
Merry Christmas!

Now to decorate the LR tree and finish up yard 
cleanup and I may be ready just in time. 
19 days to go.

I sold these two items- stay tuned for more
as I grind through the mountain. Thank you

Lots Of Fala

and some lalala too

First fire in fireplace

Paying attention? The deer changed

What normally is a one day decorating 

affair is dragging out,

due to "issues" but I am determined.

Photos of living room tree etc coming 

in a few days. All the packages are wrapped

and stockings hung but tree is not decorated

but it is up.

Of course I was due for another 

Urgent Care run on Saturday.

Another bronchial infection. I've been so careful.

Only went into crowds one day last weekend

with pal Sue for our annual IKEA day.

She reminded me I became ill last year 

right after IKEA day.

Perhaps I will only go to IKEA in summertime?

Michigan blueberry maple streusel toast

with real butter and earl grey

New favorite mug and butter keeper.

comfort food

Went with some lighter fare for kitchen and  

laundry hall this year. Cheerful

Yep, wreath is hanging crooked. 

Original hanger was put on improperly,

(on list to fix).