Mid January

The month is speeding by and back to school has made my brain numb as well as my body tired. I've only done a little knitting and reading but it feels good. I'm about to start a new knitting project. I wear my Yowza shawls all of the time and I need to knit a few more to add to the rotation. So I'm going to start the Yowza Weigh It Shawl that started the collection.

I'm knitting it in Perfectly Reckless colorway and it is a gorgeous hot pink with grey, green and black shot throughout. I can't wait to get it on the needles. I finished the simple socks with yarn by Kaleidoscope Dye Works and I've worn them once. I think they should have been knit with a larger circumference. They felt fine, but they really stretched out. I'll see how much they bounce back after the first wash. I have put a few pieces in hibernation. I'm actively working on my Drachenfels, my sister's pedicure socks, starting Yowza, seed stitch cowl, and a simple rib hat for sister. I just realized that's three things for sis! She does have a birthday coming up next month. :)

The baby sweaters were a hit and one new baby has arrived. I finished the binding on his quilt the day before he came. He was early. Everyone is doing well and he stole my heart the minute he was put in my arms. I cried more than he did. He is the grandson of my dearest friend. She has four children and I've been blessed to be a part of their lives for 20 years. I've watched them grow up and spent a lot of time with them. I don't have an honorary title, but I call their children my fairy grandchildren. He is the first boy with three girls before him and one more arriving in 20+ days.

Next week I am taking part in a Lifeway taping for Angela Thomas-Pharr. This will be my third time to take part in one of her book sessions. The tapings will produce the video session for her new study Redeemed. I was in the audience for Brave and Stronger. I can't wait to her watch she is teaching on Redeemed. We will tape for three nights. She will be doing more taping throughout that time and it's always a powerful time. Then next month I'm going to see Priscilla Shirer and Anthony Evans. I know the night will blow my socks off. The last time I heard Priscilla in person she was with Beth Moore and Kay Arthur.  I just realized I've listed my top four bible teachers. Love these ladies and the gift of the word they bring to my life!!!

Off to start the Yowza!

Clean Sweep

Well, not really. But at least it's cleaner. Many years ago I purchased my dining room table and chairs. The house I was renting had a table and chairs that took up all the space in the tiny kitchen. I knew that I wouldn't always be in this house and when a friend saw this table at a yard sale I purchased it. It is a lovely oak table, one pedestal with a leaf that allows it to sit six. I rarely have the leaf in it. But I put the table in the dining room of the rental and I was using the dining room as a sewing room and there it stayed as a catch all and cutting table.

Fast forward to current house and I think I've eaten at the table less than ten times. I'm single and just never formally sit at the table. It has been used as a sewing center and catch all for a long time and has been (still is) a hot mess. I prefer to use it as a study center. Today as I was doing my last scripture writing for 2015, I was in my sewing room using the big office desk that I currently use as a sewing desk. I was sitting there thinking I really need to make space for my computer and my bible things and it hit me that I have a perfectly good table but it was holding everything under the sun.

Boxes of knitting goodies, project bags, cutting mat from the last time I used it as a sewing center, crafting items from last years Christmas presents and Christmas bags and boxes from last Christmas, 2014 not 2015 were covering the table! Yes, as I said it was a hot mess and I am such a clutter queen. I am the one the book Sink Reflections was written for and the Fly Lady is my friend. I haven't been flying in quite some time. To be honest I've never really gotten off the ground. I have the book pulled out to reread it and I know where my home blessing book is located. I just need to put it in place. I'll come back to this in minute.

I realized that the hot mess had to go and really needed the table to function as my study center, my war room! I spent quite some time this morning putting things away and I'm still not completely finished. I still have a few things to put away but I have bibles out and notebooks out and bible study books stacked and ready to use. I'm actually sitting at the table and typing this blog post! It is a great feeling but as I sit here and realize how great it feels to have most of the clutter gone one thing occurs to me, I don't like this table or the uncomfortable chairs!!!! I'm sitting here laughing. The chairs have issues. Three of the six need to have rungs glued back in place and I need to use some cushions or I need to purchase a new table and chairs. I'm leaning towards the new table and chairs, but I'm a very frugal and why spend money when this table works. I'll be shopping for cushions soon.

Back to Fly Lady and my clutter, this isn't a resolution but a fact of life. I've got to get my clutter under control. My house is a mess and I am embarrassed to have anyone over. I am going to reread Sink Reflections and I'm going to work on decluttering. I have great book shelf in the dining area. But in the move five years ago, it lost two shelves. I either need to get two shelves made or ditch this bookshelf and get one that is functional. I have lots and lots of books and this needs to be a working bookcase. I have a lot of bible study books that are currently boxed in the garage because I don't have enough space for them in my house. Again, clutter fills up the area and isn't functional. I want my dining table to be a study center. As I said in an earlier post, I'm ready for my relationship with the Lord to be back in green valleys and that's not going to happen if I'm studying His Word.

My home isn't going to be open for me to have small bible studies or knitting groups over if it isn't decluttered and usable. When I moved in 5 1/2 years ago, that was my dream, using this home God provided as a place of study and fellowship. The dining room table was the tip of the iceberg, but I'm ready to dive in swim around. I'm ready to use this home as I originally intended.

I'm so blessed! Cluttered, but blessed!

January 17

Oops, forgot to post this last night.

Two hour snow delay for school. That's great but my awesome worship leader and drummer were coming to FCA to give a devotion to the kiddos and do a little slammin' worship! Luckily, I caught Jimmy before he made it to Cookeville. Bless him, he was coming from Livingston - hour away, on his birthday! Again Awesomeness right there.

We had a surprise baby shower for a coworker after school and then the snow really started falling. But it was over by the time we all made it home. Supposed to be a cold, snow shower filled weekend. Which probably means just a lot of cold for us.

Journal - January 10

First day back from winter break was a good day.

Went out for dinner and ended up being joined by friends Mark and Kathy. They were being seated right by me and so we joined and had a nice chat with dinner. Came home and watched Donovan's Reef with John Wayne. Nice evening.

November Thanksfulness

Two year ago, I tried to post a daily thankful post. I decided this year to post on a weekly basis.

For my first thankful post, I'm really thankful for family. I'm awed and humbled to have a heavenly Father who loves me no matter what I do, say or don't do. I'm beyond thankful for the many blessings He's given me. The most special blessing being my earthly family.

I had two loving parents, who I miss terribly. But they instilled in me a love of family, friends, and travel. I love being with a group of friends, doing nothing more than enjoying each others company. I'm planning on doing just that tonight.

I also love my family. I have a sweet sister and brother-in-law. I don't get to spend enough time with them and we have to set dates to get together. But rearranging the calendar is nothing in order to be with them and again, it's the simplest of times. Just hanging out is a pleasure, being in one another's presence is enough for me and I truly enjoy time with them. I LOVE my baby sister!

Travel seems to be so much of my life, dad traveled all over the world for his job and even today, I think nothing of jumping in the car and taking a 4 hour drive to visit or see something and then come back home that same day! I also love longer trips and I'll leave you with a couple of photos of my summer trip to Maine.

Hot Days

After failing the photo challenge, I decided not to worry about restarting it. :) I'm ok with that lack of commitment. I am still finding things to photograph and I'm still keeping up with my summer commitment to go somewhere every other week to take photos.

Thankfully this week, my great friend Joan invited me to Chattanooga. She was there on business and it has been a very long time since we last hung out together. I went down for the evening and we caught up on all the good stuff of life.

When she headed out off to work, I headed out to Chickamauga National Military Park. I'm teaching US History again this year and I decided some photos might help capture my students attention. Here is a sampling of the monuments at the park. (103 degrees when I left at 12:00 pm)

Blessed Evening

I have the privilege of serving with Rising Above Ministries. The ministry serves families with special needs children. Jeff and Becky Davidson head the ministry and they have become dear friends. I left tonight reflecting on Jeff's message, Jesus searching my heart.

I serve as the media person, I put the verses, music and bible, on the big screens. Very easy job. But I get to worship with them once a month and I just feel so blessed every time I leave. I love getting to know the kiddos and the parents. I'm developing a much better understanding of the difficulties they face, but also I can see the blessings and actions of God.

I get to attend/work the retreats. Although, so far Jeff hasn't asked me to work the men's retreat :) he did have men working at the ladies. LOL I am attending the couples retreat. I'm sure I will be a little bit of an odd ball, but I know it will be a great weekend.

Just reflecting on a wonderful evening,
- Tracy

New Year - Changes

I ended 2011 with church and friends. I spent the day working on this small quilt. I enjoyed the process so much and I realized how much I missed my quilt guild.

Our small guild group dissolved years ago. We just kept getting smaller and smaller. We met in the evening, members moved away, lost interest and we drifted apart. As I set sewing and fondly remembering my quilts friends, I realized I needed to find a new group and made that a goal of 2012.

 

I spent most of my evening at church. We have a church family night and hosted a chili cook off and talent show. We had great food and a wonderful assortment of talent. The winner was a young man under the age of five who quoted several Psalms from memory. Cute factor played well in his winning. :)

After leaving church, I went to a friends annual NYE party. There is always good food and entertaining conversations to be had. Knowing I had to be at church early, I left well before midnight and was tucked into bed nice and snug.

Today after church, I've worked in the garage and almost have it ready to put the car back in. I still have my old water heater sitting in the way! Hopefully I will get it moved soon. I also changed the back door locks, a project that has been on my to-do list since moving 1.5 years ago. LOL I accomplished a lot today!

I hope that this new year brings more things checked off my to-do list. Starting with more Bible study and more quilting and needlework.

Be blessed!

Tracy

Old friendships

That is what I'm thankful for. I saw a friend yesterday that I've worked with for many years. She has recently retired and is fighting cancer. I'm/we covet your prayers.

I always enjoyed watching my mom interact with her girlfriends. It was like they were back in high school. They would laugh and giggle. It was so much fun to be around them.

I also have a group of friends that I've talked with for years via the Internet. We've gotten together at various stitching retreats and just to visit and stitch. It is like we see it each every day when we get together. I really enjoy these ladies.

I'm thankful for all the friends in my life.

Tracy

Still Thankful

I missed posting yesterday, it was a busy day! Our football team is in the state semi-finals. I worked the ticket gate last night.

That is what I'm thankful for today. I was able see lots of friends and even some special relatives! That is why I enjoy working ballgames. Even though it was very chilly, I got to laugh with my friend Lisa as we worked and hug on cousins as they came through. It was a fun night.

Thankful Day Seven

Today, I'm thankful for answered prayers. Even though many, many, many, times I don't receive the answer I want, I'm still thankful that my prayers get answered.

There is a specific request I'm thankful for today. My sweet friends, the Thorpes, had baby Ruthie just a few short weeks ago. Ruthie had a problem with her lungs and today, she actually was able to breathe without any assistance!!!!!  So very excited for them!!!

Have a blessed day,

Tracy

Thankful Day Two

I'm thankful for the technology that keeps us communicating.  This week I've had friends posting picture of their sweet babies. They are far away in miles but not from our hearts and prayers. We've been praying for these sweet babies for months and they've arrived, been healthier than expected and some have already gone home.

Others friends are using technology to keep us up to date on prayer requests and travels. It amazes me how we are able to keep in contact with friends around the world. Some I feel like I may know more about than those who work down the hall from me or live down the street.

I'm able to enjoy and keep friendships going and growing even though I'm separated by distance. With that said, I'll quit typing here and go text a friend I've not heard from in weeks.

Have a blessed day,

Tracy 

November Thankful Posts

I'm such a horrible blogger. I only journal on mission trips and I don't know why I thought I'd be good at keeping up with a blog. They say that doing something for 21 days instills a habit and with that in mind I'm going to use this month's holiday to force myself to write once a day.

I've already missed day one. But that is ok. 

I'm thankful for family. My sister is one of the most important people in my life. I love her dearly and we don't get to spend a lot of time together because of work schedules and life styles. We are both busy women and we like it that way. But it does prevent us from getting together often.

Two weeks ago, sister decided to add to our family and she got married. Welcome Jay to the family! This is a picture of us on their wedding day. I won't post other pictures without their permission but I'm very happy for them.

After the wedding, I was able to visit with another sweet family member and her family. I love my cousin Sandi and just don't get to spend enough time with her and her sweet mom and daughter.

Many of our family members are spread far and wide. Closest blood relatives (mom did love genealogy) are in Indiana and one may be moving back to the Nashville area. But again, busy schedules keep us from seeing one another.

That is one reason I like technology. We can communicate without breaking the bank.  Tomorrow I'll post again. I already have a topic in mind!

Have a blessed day,

Tracy

Welcome Fall Break

I realize no one is ready my blog, but that is ok! I don't have but a few sweet followers and friends who check the blog out when I post to Facebook.

I'm am welcoming a break in the school calendar. The students and faculties are so ready! This year feels stressful for many of my educator friends in Tennessee. The new evaluation system seems to have so many stressed and ready to give up on educating our future. I hope they can work their way through this latest attack on our profession.

I'm planning on spending my break quilting, stitching and doing needlework on my sweet friend Keisha's bridal veil.  She is getting married next weekend and I'm so excited for her and her fiance. I don't know how my friend Cindy (her mom) has made it through this year, all four children have added spouses!

I've also jumped off the deep end in a new area of my life. I've become a Scentsy consultant. I have a long background in retail and I love sales. I saw the warmer on Plumstreet Samplers and knew it was something I'd love to have in my home. I had my first party this week!  Big shout out to my friend Leigh who hosted for me. We had a lot of fun and sniffed a lot of fragrances. If you want to try it out, check out my Scentsy page.

Last, please pray for my worship leader Jimmy and his sweet wife Kim. They are expecting little Ruthie in the next few days and we are asking God to work miracles in Ruthie's life. She has a health issue and as a result is being born at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. God has worked major miracles in her life already and we know He has more planned!

In His hands,

Tracy