We Are All The Same

As I read other's blogs, where sometimes very personal feelings and thoughts are shared openly, I have come to the realization that, as women, we are all the same.

We laugh. We cry. We take care of our families. We love. We work hard. We share. We hurt. We fall. We pick ourselves up. We go on.

Sometimes I feel like I am alone with the way I feel and the thoughts I have. Then I log on and start reading blogs and I quickly realize that there are others who are going through or have been through the very same thing that I am currently going through. Or even worse things, things that I am amazed they are surviving. I draw strength from their courage and I marvel at their tenacity to persevere when life is tough.

Today, my son flew from the nest. My heart is breaking. My heart is rejoicing. I have prepared myself for this moment from the very moment of his birth. I knew that my job as his mother would be to prepare him to face the world on his own. But I am still not ready. He's not ready. Or at least, I don't think he is. I know he will make mistakes. He may not always make the best choices. But I have to let him go and I have to let him try new things and sometimes fail. I have to let him grow up.

But I don't have to like it.



Today, my baby boy moved halfway across the country from me. My heart is breaking. My heart is rejoicing. Fly, my baby bird. Spread your glorious wings, for the sky is the limit. I'll cover you with prayers every single day. I'll cheer for you when you succeed and I'll cry with you when you fail. You are my heart and you are my soul. I love you deeply. Which is why this is so hard.

Life's about changing. Nothing ever stays the same. So I will change with it and I will rejoice in it.

And I will learn to like it. . . someday.

Until next time. . .

It's a Roo Party!!

Shelia over at Note Songs is hosting The Heart of the Home - Rooster and Chicks Party over at her blog and I just had to join in on all the fun! Join me for a tour of my kitchen and meet all my "feathered" friends!

We'll start in the dining area where we meet Mr. Rusty Roo. He sits atop a vintage wood and iron shelf, where he's busy protecting our herb themed stacking boxes:



Next, we'll meet up with Henry and Harry Roo. They are brothers who like to hang out on one of the dining area's walls. They rest upon some chicken wire framed in a poster frame. They are really happy here!



Harry's a bit shy but Henry loves to strut his stuff and is always ready for a close up shot!!



Moving on over across the dining area, we find this little grouping of roos. Larry, Curly, and Moe help us keep up with our keys and other important stuff while Daddy Roo always keeps us moving along right on time!



Over in the kitchen area, we find Noodles sitting atop the stove. He loves his tri colored pasta!!



Moving on over, we find Whitey standing guard over some yummy apples:



Sometimes Whitey likes to roost in the kitchen cabinets, too!



And we always have to remember to count our blessings, as this sweet little lady and her baby chicks remind us to do:



Redd Roo helps us keep things nice and tidy as he resides on top of the paper towels:



And last, but certainly not least, we have King Roo. He's the master of the nest and the newest member of our chicken family:




I hope you enjoyed meeting all the members of my feathered family as much as they've enjoyed meeting you! Please be sure to click on the link above to visit Shelia's wonderful blog and meet some more great feathered friends!

Until next time. . .

Cha, cha, cha, changes. . .

Wow! I can't believe it's been over a month since I've updated this blog. This has been a really busy summer for me and a lot of things have changed since my last post.

When we last "spoke", hubby and I were comtemplating a move to North Carolina due to a job opportunity my hubby was persuing. Well, that didn't work out like we had hoped, so we decided to just stay put for a while. In the meantime, I discovered an open position in a company that sounded tailor made for me at an insurance company located just ten minutes from where we are currently living. My current job is located thirty-five minutes away. So I sent in my resume on Tuesday, they called me on Wednesday, I interveiwed over two hours on Thursday, went back for a second interview on Friday which lasted for over an hour, and was offered the job at the end of that interview! More pay and better benefits. Plus I'll be saving a fortune in gas costs! Win, win!!! Yesterday was my last day at my current job and my friends and co-workers sent me off in style with some gourmet cupcakes and a $100 gift card to Hobby Lobby!!

My son has decided that he wants to move to Arkansas where my Mom and brothers live. This is a bittersweet thing for me. I hate to see him go but I know that he is making the right decision because there are many more job opportunities out there for him than there are here in our small town. Plus, knowing that my Mom and brothers will be looking out for his well being makes this an easier transition for me. I will miss him terribly but I know that he has to grow up sometime. So my Mom and my youngest brother came in this week and will be moving him back with him when they leave at the end of next week. My new employer has graciously allowed me to take this week off to spend some time with them before they leave. I will start my new job on August 15th. How nice was that of them?

I have managed to accomplish a few crafts during this past month. Seems like a lot of my friends are having babies, grandbabies and even great-grandbabies coming into the world in the next few months so I've been busy crocheting baby afghans, making beaded baby name spoons and these really cute customized travel sized diaper wipe cases:





I covered the top with a small piece of batting, then hot glued a cute fabric over the top and bottom of the case. I covered the ends with a pretty grosgain ribbon to give it a finished look. I made flower petals out of some of the left over ribbon and glued a coordinating button on for the center of the flower. I made this one is for my niece. These are so quick and easy to make up. The entire thing took me maybe half an hour to put together. And they are inexpensive to make as well!

I also made a terra cotta fish bowl treat jar for a co-worker for her cat's treats. I used scrapbook letters to spell out her cat's name and the paw prints are also scrapbook stickers. She loved it! I gave it to her as a birthday present. She is the type of person who has everything and is so hard to buy for. This made the perfect gift for her!





I liked the way hers turned out so much, I decided to make one for my Sophie's treats, too!




I'm linking these crafts up to some of my favorite linky parties shown on my sidebar. Please be sure to visit these parties to check out all the creative ideas this week.

Well, that's about it for me for now. I will try to do better about updating this thing, I promise!

Until next time. . .