It's the Little Things

Yesterday it was my birthday. 

I hung one more year on the line.

I ain't worrying. 

And I ain't scurrying. 

I'm just having a good time.

~Paul Simon~ 

~My Birthday Project~

Yesterday I turned 53. I am especially grateful this year for another birthday. In ways, it's been a rough year...

The hardest part was probably hearing the news that my sweet father-in-love has bladder cancer. Although it is most difficult for him, it has jolted the entire family into the realization that life is precious, and often too short. We have always been a close knit family, but since his illness, this is magnified. Thankfully, his prognosis is good and his attitude is even better. He is an inspiration to me.

Another difficulty concerns our youngest son. Will is 19, and suffers from severe plaque psoriasis. Maybe some of you remember those old commercials where they spoke of..."the heartbreak of psoriasis". Maybe some of you suffer too. In Will's case, the disease is not only extremely unsightly, but very debilitating. He has tried every topical, special diet, and I'm embarrassed to admit..."snake oil" remedy out there. He has just begun taking injections of the drug Stelara, which we pray will give him relief. His dad and I try not to coddle him, and encourage him to push himself in spite of his affliction....but because he is our child, the heartbreak of psoriasis affects us too.

Then there was my own "junk" to deal with. I had surgery in June and have been undergoing a series of medical tests...checking for the thing we all dread...cancer. On Friday, I had what I hope to be my last medical test for a good while. And I'm thrilled to report that my results were perfect.

But yesterday, I turned 53.

And so, today I was reflecting on how I spent my birthday, and counting my blessings. Tom and Will were home with me, doing little chores around the house so I could spend the day sewing. They bathed the dogs, did the grocery shopping, made dinner... The two older "boys" called to wish me a happy birthday and talked with me about stuff for a long while. I miss those conversations with them, now that they live on their own. It was a real treat for me to hear about the young woman Nash is dating, and the changes Luke is making to his screenplay...and their plans for the future.

 

I don't know why I'm telling you all of this, dear readers. Maybe just to remind you of what we all need reminding of. And that 's this...cherish those you love, find happiness in the little things, value your health...

And remember... 

Attitude Is Everything.

~My favorite portrait from Christmas, 2012. Yes, I'm THAT excited over shampoo.~

 Until next time...

I ain't worrying. 

And I ain't scurrying. 

I'm just having a good time.

Rhonda

Oops!

I've accidentally deleted my Blog Roll. If your blog was listed, I apologize...please be patient while I rebuild my list.

I don't know if you've heard, but...

...Congratulations are in order!

I am humbled to be the recipient of the 2012 “Worst Blogger Ever Award”… awarded annually to the person who slacks most on updating their online blog. Here I am accepting the award.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.photofunia.com/)

“I’d like to thank the academy all of my faithful followers who stuck with me even though I haven’t given them a lot to follow in quite some time. 

To quote Sally Field, “You like me, you really like me!”

  

And seriously, I thank you for that…for hanging around, checking for updates, and your continued patronage of my Etsy and Early Work Mercantile shops in my absence. I appreciate it more than you know.

 2012 has been a weird year for our family... I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s just say, I am “doctored out”. Meaning, I am tired of doctors and medications and appointments, for myself and for my loved ones. My coping mechanism during times like this, is to crawl under the front porch and lick my wounds, like and old hound dog. So that’s where I’ve been…under the porch.

With 2013 just around the corner, I intend to be much more... well, intentional about blogging. After all, blogging is the thing that connects me to all of you wonderful people.

 Until next time...

Rhonda

(And thank you to blogger for the strange spacing and font issues.)

A Token of Friendship

 Just in case you may have missed out on these last time...

Strawberry Pinkeeps are now available in my Etsy shop.

Boxed and ready for gift giving.

Until next time...

Rhonda

Early Work Mercantile, October Offerings

I hope you'll stop by to see the October offerings from the talented artists at Early Work Mercantile. My page will be updated tonight at 10:00pm, Central Time.

Until next time...

Rhonda 

Settler's Harvest has begun! Hope you'll stop by and see the beautiful fall offerings from the artists of Early Work Mercantile! Here are my latest creations...

~Velvet Tomato Trios~

~Mighty Oaks Pinkeep~

Until next time...

Rhonda

Settler's Harvest on Early Work Mercantile

Look for my return to blog-land on September 15th, when I'll be joining the talented artists of Early Work Mercantile for Settler's Harvest.

 Here's a sneak peek of my offerings. Shhhhhh...

I hope to see you on the 15th...

It's good to be back. Until next time...

Rhonda

Happy Spring~Early Work Update~

Happy Spring, Friends! We have enjoyed a very mild winter here in Northwest Indiana and today the temperature reached an unseasonably warm, 80 degrees. As you can imagine, buds are bursting and flowers are sending up their tender shoots all around us. Today we uncovered the strawberry beds...I am SO ready for spring. I can't wait to get out in the garden and dig in the dirt. 

While I waited for warmer weather, I've been stitching up a few new offerings to help you welcome spring in primitive style.You can see my latest work tonight on Early Work Mercantile.

There are so many lovely things this month on Early Work Mercantile...I think everyone is ready for spring. :) I hope you'll stop to take a look!

Until Next time...

~Rhonda~

~Celebrating Friendship~

It’s been said, "If you want to know what a person is like, observe his closest friends"…that the people whom we choose to spend our time with are often the best reflections of ourselves. Considering who my friends are, I'd like to believe it’s true.

“The friends who grew up with you deserve a special respect. The ones who stuck by you, shoulder to shoulder, in a time where nothing was certain, all life lay ahead, and every road led home.”  ~The Wonder Years~

 ~Me, Joan, Julie, and Tammy, at tea in Morris, Illinois~

I have been fortunate in the friend department.  If you follow my “Small-town Stories” in Mercantile Gatherings Magazine, you may remember The Flower Hill Gang…the group of neighborhood girls who took me into their fold when I was just eight years old. I’ve been thinking about them a lot lately…how having them in my life brings me as much joy today as it did on moving day. 

Realizing how quickly the years have passed, the old gang has recently begun to spend more time together. We've been making new memories by road-tripping to antique shops, estate sales and fancy eateries. During the winter months, we've committed to meeting weekly in our homes to stitch, talk and share a meal. Sometimes we accomplish very little other than the sharing of ideas, the giving of comfort, or bouts of uncontrollable laughter. But we're OK with that, because we're OK with each other. We're not so much concerned with what we do when we're together, just that we are together.

There is something especially comforting about being with people who know you. They know where you come from. You remember each other's old phone number and know each other's Moms. Through years of shared experiences, you know their character, and they know the kind of person you are. Your shared memories have created a bond, a trust. With that bond comes an inexpressible feeling of safety…the luxury of speaking without measuring words, or walking on egg shells.

~A friend loveth at all times. Proverbs 17:17~

On Valentine’s Day I pulled out my prettiest dishes and invited the gang over for luncheon. I wanted to do something nice for them and express my feelings for each of them.  We shared valentine cards, pink frosting, and even a few tears.

We are blessed, each of us, to have found that rare thing, a constant friend...a faithful friend to buoy us up in times of adversity and rejoice with us at our success. The love of a true friend is seamless, boundless and eternal. 

 

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend." ~John Leonard~

~Beautiful Julie, of Flower Hill, shows off her valentine box~

“We will be friends until forever, just you wait and see.” - Winnie the Pooh

I hope you are blessed with friends such as these. Why not set a pretty table and invite them over to tell them how much you love them? What are you waiting for...time is fleeting.


Until next time, 
Rhonda

~A Token of Friendship~

This month I have been thinking about Valentine's Day, love, and the blessings of true friendship. I am very fortunate to have wonderful friends in my life who personify Proverbs 17:17. I wanted to make a little token for each of them...and then, decided to make a few extras for you...or your bosom friend.

 

 

I hope you'll stop by Early Work Mercantile to see my latest offerings. 

 

Until next time...

Rhonda

 

Merry Christmas...

...from our house, to yours!

 ~Our Boys, Circa 1994~

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."~Burton Hills~

 May the Spirit of joy fill your hearts and homes as you celebrate this most wondrous of seasons. Wishing you peace, prosperity and health in 2012.

Until next year...

Rhonda