Issues, We All Have em'

I am having issues.

Family Issues. Health Issues. To Many Dishes Issues. Not Enough Time In The Day Issues. Too May Bills Not Enough Income Issues. Chicken Flying The Coop At My Urban Homestead Issues. Not Being As Organized As My Older Sister Who Has No Children Or Husband For That Matter Issues. Volunteering Too Much Issues. Can't Fit Into My Jeans As Well As I Used To Issues. OverWhelmed With Laundry Issues. Kitty Litter On My Laundry Room Floor Issues. My Vacuum Cleaner Is A Piece Of Junk Issues. Why Do I Have To Tell My Children The Same Thing Over And Over Issues. I Need A Haircut And My Haircut Lady Is On Maternity Leave Issues. My Poor Father Who Has Diabetes And Only Four Toes Left Fell And Broke His Hip And Is Now In The Hospital While My Mother Is Out Of Town Visiting My Sister In Southern California Issues. The Same Sister That Has No Children Or Husband For That Matter And Likes To Remind Me Of How Unorganized And Forgetful I Am Everytime We Talk Issues. Don't Get Me Wrong My Sister Is Not A Big Ol' Bully But Can Be Very Condescending At Times Issues. Choo Choo In My Ear Issues. I Once Had An Ear Doctor Named Doctor Klau Pronounced Claw Issues. I Now Have A Fear Of All ENT's Because Of Him Issues.

Issues People. I Have Issues.

I could keep going if you like, but I think I'm even getting on my own nerves.

Instead I think I will leave you with this scripture that I came across last night accidentally (yeah right).

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

It's no too late - to fight for life

Check this awesome giveway and a great fundraiser to help bring Ruslana home! I am so excited to say God is moving mountains for this family and it looks like Ruslana will be on here way home soon. Won't you help?

How to overuse Parenthesis 101

This sign is from my own personal collection.

It was inspired by my male members of my family, well mostly.

But it is available to purchase here.

So, I'm getting ready for the holidays which means I'm busy building up my sign inventory for the few Holiday Markets I am doing this year. This year I will be doing my best at creating my

signs while working part-time, chicken wrangling, puppy training (when will it end?) and oh yeh, being a loving and dutiful wife and mother and of course.

(eh em - don't laugh).

I will attempt doing this all along with the normal holiday planning and gift giving that goes along with Christmas time. Yes, I said Chrismas. In October. One thing I am trying to do this year is NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Or otherwise known as PLAN AHEAD. Sorry if the CAPS make you nervous... please know that I am not screaming at you when I say these things, I am just trying to drill it into my own head. Because as you know once you blog it, you must live it. OK maybe, not really but I can pretend that this will help me right?

Yes.

I can.

Anyhoo. In my house I am the primary gift picker outer, purchaser and most of the time wrapper of said gifts. Which do not get me wrong I love doing these things, except when it comes to my husband's part of the family. It becomes a bit stressful. I have a hard time doing this because I tend to put a lot (when I say a lot I mean way too much) of thought into gift giving. I try to think of the gift receiver and their likes and dislikes. I am not the type that buys say a new fluffy robe for every girl member of the family. Not that I don't love robes, or wallets, or necklaces, I just think it's wierd to give every female member of family the same gift and every male member another with only color varations

Well unless of course it it $100 bills you are giving

(or even $50 because we are in a recession, as you all know).

You get what I'm trying to say?

OK good. So where am I going with this?

I'm not sure...

Well, what I meant to say until I offended half of my readers (and that is a lot when I only have 3 to begin with) is that this year I am doing two things.

1. Starting early and 2. Buying everyone a robe in various colors. J.K.

I am going to be creative in my gift giving.

I am going to try to give as much handmade (no not I'm not talking 'popsicle stick art' handmade - although that can be cute too- don't get me wrong). What I mean is I am going to try to personalize as much as possible and still be creative.

Creative & cheap. Yeah that's it (oh and not go too insane while trying).

OK sorry, I just realized that was way more than two things.

Math was never my strong subject (either was grammar, as if you couldn't tell).

So, I am still not completely sure what this will look like, I just know I am going to try my best.

All my family members already have one of my family name signs so that is no going to work. And no, I don't plan on torturing my family with yet another sign as a gift (well unless they request one of course - but not all my family members are the rustic, country, shabby chic type so that would defeat the purpose of my mission, right?).

So if you have any ideas on how I can be creative, personal & of course cheap (and when I say cheap I mean wise with a limited budget) just let me know.

Well, those of you who aren't too offended by this blog post I mean.
To be continued...

Hello, my name is Heather and I have an addiction

It's true.

I have a real problem.

I can't control myself.
I am no longer in denial.
It's starting to affect my family.
I'm neglecting them more and more.
I can't seem to focus these days...

On anything but the beauty that Fall brings.

It's not my fault entirely, I mean really...

it's everywhere.

I can't seem to get away from it.

I can't stop.

I don't want to stop!

OK there.

Here is a photo that includes a family member.

You happy now?

My poor sweet Belle, she never was the wiser.

She had no idea when she was picking out her pumpkin that her Mama was off in another corner clicking away, secretly, hoping no one would notice.

Once Fall is over I will stop.

I promise.

OK. I'll at least cut back a little.

I mean winter, Christmas, I will have to include my family in those pictures right?

:)

It's the Simple Things

Happy days are here again.

My baby chicks (well not so baby chicks now) finally laid (layed?? oh who cares...)

Two of them blessed me with their first eggs.

On my birthday. That is some kind of wonderful!

My older hens have been on strike for awhile and I have had to humble myself and buy eggs from the neighbor. Well I am here to say those days are over!

The next day I got not 1, not 2 but FOUR eggs. And 2 of them where from the older hens, I think they felt the competition.

I just love this picture it brings me such joy.

...

Never mind that this little one ended up to be an evil rooster and that I had to give him to a friend who lives on a real life farm to live with many, many, many chickens.

She has a lot of chickens. Period.

Oh yeah, and that friend mentioned to me the other day that she didn't think he(it) was a rooster after all. I beg to differ. Like the old saying goes... If it walks like a rooster and talks like a rooster, chances are it's a rooster.

(OK I know the original saying is with a duck, but I think you get my point & hey at least I'm still in the poultry catagory) Anyhoo. What I'm trying to say is...

He(it) was. He(it) had all the classic tell-tale signs.

And even if he(it) isn't, he(it) is hers to keep!

Not sure where I was going with that... Sorry

OK. Must make a coffee (and maybe fry up an egg or two for breakfast!)

Have I mentioned my love for fall?

Love this photo.

Not sure what the EAKIN is all about.

Did they mean to write a T but put a K instead?

Is EAKIN someone's last name?

Or maybe they forgot to add the FR in the beginning of the EAKIN?

It's a mystery.

As promised I posted a couple pics of by beloved children from our trip to Detering Orchards last weekend. They are such the hams. Or should I say the apple(s) of my eye.

Love.
Love.
Love Fall.
I mean really. How can you take a bad photo with a backdrop like this??

I

My Favorite Photo Of October

I know it's only October 3rd and thus far too soon to be claiming a favorite photo of the month. But during our trip to a local Orchard Farm today I got a chance to take some fall photos of the kids. Well, let me rephrase. I tried to take some fall photos of the kids.

And well, they turned out pretty good.

But I realized someting today.

Apples stay still, children don't.

I know, it's a shocking revalation.

I just love this photo.

These are two of the contenders...

It was a close second.I will post some with my children later, I promise.

For now can we all just have a moment of peace for the apple in all its glory...

OK that's enough.

THE END