Tis the season for Goodwill....

While I've been away from the blog, I've thought about my feelings of helplessness. What has made me feel so overwhelmed? I think it's because I've tried to be someone I'm not. I started the blog to share Goodwill finds (and the occasional Cate story), but then I got sidetracked.

I need to get back to my original intent. So, instead of bringing this stuff in from Goodwill, I'm taking it out.

On the right is a bag with clothes. I no longer keep duplicates of clothing items. That's something I've learned from Project 333.http://www.theproject333.com/
That's a positive thing I've learned from blogging.

The cream colored wire shelves on top of the bag were something I bought for a beach vignette. Hah! I didn't even know what a vignette was until blogging. To de-complicate (is that a word?) my life, I'm returning those to Goodwill.

 

See the orange plastic cups? I bought a new set, so the old set has to go. The pink lampshade is attached to a milk glass lamp that I know some of you would love to have, but since I turned the bedroom into a playroom for Cate, the lamp is no longer needed.

 

This is a Christmas decoration I planned to upcycle - another word I never heard of until blogging. I decided I didn't need the stress so it went back to Goodwill.

 

I can't sew and I won't be making any pillow covers. I didn't win any either, so back to Goodwill.....

 

 

It's not that I don't want to welcome folks to my house, but I couldn't figure out how to redo these into something I'd like. 

Another item to upcycle, but let's be real. I've had this since  spring/summer and never touched them. So, back to Goodwill....

I feel lighter already. And I didn't have to wait until January to make some resolutions.

Christmas Nap

Am I ready for Christmas? Not at all. Cate stayed with me today, and there wasn't a bed anywhere in the house that was cleared off for her to take a nap. I told her she could sleep on the couch, and she told me her mommy didn't let her do that at her house. I agreed but told her this would be a special treat at Mimi's house. (You gotta pull out the big guns sometimes, you know?)

I told her she could watch one show, then she would have to lie (lay?) down and try to sleep. She said her mommy let her watch two shows. I agreed as long as she agreed to nap after that.

Since she would be on the couch, I sat across from her to keep an eye on her. I'm not exaggerating when I tell you she was asleep in less than 5 minutes and she didn't move for an hour. I had to take a picture.

Please notice the Christmas pillows at the foot of the couch. They prove I've done some decorating.

Bragging Grandmothers

Once we found out my daughter and son-in-law were expecting their first child, my husband and I got so excited about becoming grandparents. Those of you who are grandparents know exactly what I mean.
Then, for a long time, we thought Cate would be an only child. That is when I noticed something.

Grandmas like to brag.

Why do I say that? Well, Virginia has personalized car license plates. Here's an example of one.

Now, you know me. I wouldn't have any trouble seeing the roads full of cars with Hokie license plates.

Instead, here are some examples of what I've seen, driving around Roanoke.

GMAOFTN

(First I thought this lady was often a grandma. Then

I realized she was actually a grandma of ten.)

GMA 2X

GM X9

(I hope all of you know I'm being silly. I'm just envious of all of them, although after February I could fight the second grandma for her license plate. That's when our second grandchild will be born.)

Do you have a personalized license plate?

Climbing a mountain

This is how I feel at the moment:

Look closely and you will see a person on the side of a huge mountain. My mountain is composed of vacation catch up, Christmas decorating, and family obligations.

Oh, and I almost forgot. Hanging over all that stuff is the possibility of jury duty. I've never had it in my 58 years, so I'm interested in serving. But it seriously complicates making appointments for Mom and my responsibilities to them. In hindsight, I probably should have begged hardship.

Did I mention that I'm also trying to read all the wonderful Christmas posts that I missed while I was away? That is seriously hindering taking care of the above mentioned duties/chores.

I hope to post something next week, whether it's pictures from my cruise to the Panama Canal (tempting you to come back, right?) or pictures of my decorating attempts.

Thanks to those of you who have contacted me about my absence. It really does mean a lot to me.