Fantastic ECO DIY Portable Spice Solution

The Handy Hausfrau: Portable Spice Kit for Camping or Travel

Check out this great project from The Handy Hausfrau!
I'm thinking this will be a must do project before summer and fall vacations!

My hubby loves to cook, so whether we're staying with friends or in our timeshare condo, he's always whipping up something. The problem is that he can't always find the right spices in their cabinets or at local stores. This is the perfect solution!

A great way to [ReDeem] those extra medicine containers!
check out the FB fan page for [ReDeemed] unique art!

$100 shopping spree to [ReDeemed], plus blog makeover and $100 GC to marie-madeline studio!

Wow - this is the largest event that I have been involved with so far! 
The fantastic ladies over on At The Well are celebrating
(actually it's more of a Par-Tay!) their first anniversary. 
They have a HUGE selection of giveaways as well as 3 amazing raffles.

Please click here to go to the entire list (grab a cup of coffee!)

and here to go directly to raffle # 2, where you'll find the [ReDeemed] prize package!

Want to make your wish list for when you win?  Check out my latest Spring items on the Facebook Fan page.  You have to be a fan to see them all, so go ahead and click that button!

Here's a piece that sold recently:

"Love Ablaze"

What started as a discarded college art project picked up in a junk store is now a 1 of a kind peice of artwork!

I used images from a vintage art history book and a resin cross with the words from 1 Corinthians 13 "the love chapter".

apx. 11 x 14  -  $43.00

This piece is 100% unique and 100% [ReDeemed]

http://www.titus2atthewell.com/spring-gathering-giveaway-and-raffle/trackback

Piles of laundry doth abound...

It just sounds better in King James, I think!

I've been on hiatus from the computer (well at least that was the plan) until my house is clean.  We've made some good progress, but life just gets in the way sometimes!  Like the kid's starting allergy shots this week.  Like realizing that I forgot to pay the water bill and having to run to the city hall to keep it on!  Like being invited to join the board of directors for a non-profit group that is dear to my heart, Camp Sol.

I'm trying to figure out how to balance all of this.  I'm not very good at it apparently!  I need staff.  I'm a great planner and director (which is working out pretty good ordering the kids around this week), I am just not a good grunt.

Doing laundry is gruntwork.  Vaccuuming is gruntwork.  Paying bills is gruntwork.  Cooking is even gruntwork for me.  Sheesh.  I know that at the root of it I'm just selfish.  I want what I want.  I'd like to be served, to be cared for, to be helped.  It dawned on me a few years ago that help is not on the way.  I wanted my hubby to do more (which he really does - he spoils us!)  However, I was created to be his helpmeet, not the other way around (drat!)

We are spending much time this week refocusing our hearts to be servants to Daddy/Hubby.  He LOVES a clean house.  He loves being able to come home and cook for us (I told you we were spoiled!)  We started with the "Family room" (which is code for "TV room", it makes it seem more friendly LOL)  When he gets home he also likes to relax with his DVR, catch up on shows and chill.

When he got home on Monday, he said "You started with my room first?  Thank you!"

That makes it all worth the grunting.

Complete Overload!

I am in way over my head.  I started my blog last year, thinking that it would be a great way to grow my business.  Along the way, I found that I enjoyed reading other's blogs, participating in contests and giving away items. 

Unfortunately, none of that has translated into increased sales!  For every hour I spend on the computer, I am missing one hour of studio time.  Less studio time means that when I have a show, I don't have as many items to show and sell!

I'm not a very good multi-tasker.  I really take the "do one thing and do it well" thing way overboard! If I'm doing well at homeschooling the children, the bills don't get paid.  If I'm really being creative in the studio, no one has clean underwear.  If the house is clean, no school is done.  SIGH...

I realized that I was retreating to the computer, it had (has) become my refuge from the deluge of day-to-day stuff.  Sniff.  I know that I need to allow God to be my refuge, and I know that He is nearer and better than the internet.  So why is it so hard?  LOL

I also started a booth at an antique mall, which has not been as successful as I hoped, it hasn't even paid for itself yet.  I think that I am over-diversified!

So - all that to try to explain why I've been MIA, and why you probably won't hear a lot from me in the months to come.

HUGS

Camp Sol - Healing for the family heart

We've just returned from a wonderful weekend of restoration and healing at Camp Sol.

If you know of a family in the DFW-area that has lost a child and still has kids at home - please pass this to them!  Camp Sol has been an integral part of our family's healing process.  It is so rewarding to go now and help other families while remembering our son, Ian. 

It is nice to see how far we've come - from the first camp where I was angry at the other parents for being happy.  ("How DARE they laugh - they buried a child too.  I will never laugh again, and neither should they") And now, after our 4th year - to only needing the tissue box a few times and really enjoying ourselves and the getaway from everyday life!

I came back feeling refreshed and renewed!  There is emotional "drain" in sharing your story of loss and your grief journey, but my overwhelming essence is "I buried a child.  I survived it.  I am strong - bring it!  You can't kill me!"

Gavin (our "legacy child") enjoying the weekend

Calvin on ropes and Jordan on the rock wall

Gavin - appreciating the view!