It's that time of year -- I clean!!!!

It hits a few times a year, usually, right after Christmas as we wait upon the arrival of the New Year.  

This year, the urge to clean the nest,

to make room,

well, it hit a bit earlier, and I do love the results.

I often find some special treasure I had forgotten.

There was no exception as I began to clean a closet yesterday.

Tucked inside a box was a bag of polymer clay pendants I had made almost a year and a half ago.

I couldn't torch for 3 months so I began to learn a bit about polymer clay.

Here's what I found.

I listed these in my Etsy Store.

The ginko leaf is a symbol of hope.

I made this leaf with gold clay and a touch of mica powder.  

Isn't this fun to find what you were doing over a year ago?

Here's the link for this leaf.

CLICK

I call these little birds,

Glitter Birds.

There was glitter in the clay I used to make them!

Wouldn't they look sweet on a nest with small eggs under them?

Pearls would make lovely, little eggs.

Here's the link.

CLICK

This leaf reminded me of weathered barn wood.

It's called

Weathered Wood Ginko Leaf.

I added a touch of mica powder to it.  I like the way it looks by itself, but you could add some small charms to complete the pendant.

CLICK

This bird reminds me of a bird carved from weathering wood.

I am amazed by the way polymer clay mixes.

Some of the combinations are very interesting.  

If you want to see more of this little bird 

CLICK

here.

I had to smile when these leaves and little birds came out of the box.

It was an enjoyable way to spend a bit of time when I took a break from cleaning.

What treasures do you find when you deep clean?

 

This All Started with the Front Door.

I looked at my front door today, and you know what I saw?  I saw the Thanksgiving wreath still on the door!  I honestly couldn't believe that I had forgotten to change to my winter wreath.  I'm not one to decorate for each season, but that was a true oversight on my part.  So, I quickly changed the wreath, only to find, I couldn't close my door.  What?  The door closed a minute ago!!  It took me a while to figure out that I had hung the wreath hanger upside down.  That's why the door wouldn't close.  Problem solved.
I checked the weather forecast.  What do you mean, it's going to snow?  I'm not through with my shopping!!!  So, I had better get going, but, wait!
I need to go to the grocery store first!  What's wrong with my freezer door?  It doesn't close tightly enough.  Dang it!  It needs to be cleaned out before I go to the grocery store.  Well, if I don't go to the grocery store today, I'll have to go in the predicted snow.  No, that's not going to work.  I better go to the store today, but before I go, I have to clean out the freezer and the refrigerator.  Okay, but Pixie has not had any attention all day, and she looks like she needs some attention.  Okay, then clean out the refrigerator and the freezer and play with Pixie.  I'm not going to go until after supper.  Wait!  I can't go after supper because I have the laundry to do.  Okay, the kids will be coming home, when?

Right now, Charlie Brown is on.  I caught a glimpse of him as I raced downstairs with the laundry.  The tree is lit.  I don't even remember lighting the tree tonight.  It's starting to get dark outside.  I haven't even turned the lights on in the house.  This isn't right.

I stop and sit on the couch looking outside.  There's only a little bit of snow on the ground this year.  The neighbors across the street have a beautiful setting of lights on their front porch.   The neighbor next door just drove in from work.  Pixie just came in for an ear rub.  She deserves a wonderful ear rub, so I rub her ears. I leave the lights out and pour myself a small glass of wine.  I'd like to call some of my family, but not right now.  I'll call them later.  Right now, I'm caught in a moment.  I want this moment. 

In the background I hear Charlie Brown talking about the real meaning of Christmas.  Looks like I've missed it again this year.  Enough is enough.  It's not too late.  I'm lucky.  I'll be able to hug and kiss my children when we get together for Christmas.  We'll be able to weave our way through our silly traditions and laugh.  We'll be able to play games together.  We'll be able to talk about our year and delight in the fact that we are together again. 

Yes, this is what I want.  Okay, tomorrow I'll clean out the refrigerator and freezer.  If I don't get to the store, it will wait until the kids get home.  There's time.  Now, I want to enjoy this moment to the fullest.  I want meditate on what Christmas is really all about.  I want to embrace this moment and this day.  I'm ready.  I'm ready.

A Small Part of My Life will Leave My Home Today

I was eight years old when my mother stretched her budget to make sure I had a piano so that I could learn to play.

I did learn, too, but like most kids, I really didn't appreciate the gift I was given.

I enjoyed the piano, but I tensed up terribly and couldn't play very well when it came to recitals.

I was absolutely terrified.

My fingers stiffened up.

My body was rigid.

I played without emotion.

My poor mother, she worked hard to be able to afford that piano.

I don't know how she did it.

I really don't.

However, she just smiled when I froze and assured me that all was well.

Talk about unconditional love!

 

She was an amazing woman!

Because of her, I developed strength that would carry me through some very hard years.

Because of her, I never forgot who I was and that I was so special.

Because of her, when things got tough,

I learned to turn to God because of the faith that she instilled in me at an early age.

Because of her, I am the person I am today.

Because of her, I learned that I am worthy of love and that I am loved.

So much happened because of her.

Today, this piano leaves my home.

I'm giving it to my church.

I'm happy with that.

I think she would be happy with that development, too.

This piano will take with it many memories of children who plunked on it, but refused to practice their piano.

This piano will take with it the places we've lived.

This piano will take with it a love of music.

This piano will take with it a love of art.

This piano will take with it memories of fun!

 

I am so happy that there is so much happiness associated with this piano.

Now, it will have a new history.

I'm glad about that.

It's only a small part of my life, but it is an important part of my life.

Change happens.

Inevitable.

I'm happy.

 

 

The Hoffman Family Newsletter 2012

Merry Christmas!

Here we are!

In case you're wondering about the TNT photo...

Well, that photo was taken at the Science Museum in Chicago at the 

Myth Busters exhibit when Jenny and I visited Nick this spring.

We had a great time!

Nick was a wonderful host.

We saw improv theater, the Myth Busters, and Nick's new condo!!!

Nick's new condo is awesome!

I went to Mass at a church near Nick.

The Mass was celebrated in Polish.

Quite interesting, and part of a wonderful experience.

I was very impressed with Nick's condo.

He has a wonderful view of Chicago from his condo.

Nick is busy with work and enjoying his condo.

Jenny is doing well.  Her counts have been stable for the last 6 months.

We are so thankful for that!

She's still working for The Hartford.

Jenny gets tired easily so that limits her activities to a degree.

However,

Jenny and I were able to do some fun things in the Cities together.

We visited the Aquarium at the Mall of America.

See the photo of Jenny with the sharks' mouths?

That was part of the visit to the Mall.

Jenny and I also enjoyed the pirate exhibit at the Science Museum.

Honestly, I think that I had more fun at the Pirate Exhibit than she did.

Other than that, Jenny keeps busy with her kitties, 

Walter and Marvin.

I'm still busy making beads.

I love that job!

I've made a lot of beads for 

Beads of Courage this year.

Beads of Courage is an organization that helps children cope with serious illnesses by using beads to mark each step of their treatments.

Check out the link.

I was featured in a couple of magazines this year.

I also attended the Bead and Button Show again this year.

I love to attend that show.  It's always so much fun!

Oh, I let my hair go gray!  People don't recognize me.

I'm okay with that, too!!  :)

Now for Pixie Marie.

 

Pixie gets her own collage!!

She sleeps a lot.

However, she is now a registered therapy dog.

She passed her test and had to have 3 observations after that.

Whew!

She did good!

I am hoping that we can get out on our own soon.

Since it's the holiday season, no one is in their offices, so we haven't ventured out on our own yet.

Our group, Puppy Love, takes off most of December and January, so we won't be with the group until February or March.

I'm hoping that she and I can get out locally to visit people who might like to pet and enjoy a dog.

She can't wear her heart unless she is doing her volunteer work, so,

she hasn't worn it yet, but I am hoping soon.

That's our year in a nutshell.

We had our ups and downs, but, this year was better than others.

No matter what, we are family.

That's the most important thing of all!

Merry Christmas!

May 2013 be a blessed year for you and yours!

 

 

I Heart Macro - Angels

Some of these items are not angels,

but they sure looked like it to me.

I Heart Macro!!!!