Best Laid Plans

The best laid plans are often those you set aside for awhile. We can plan all we want to, have our to-do list made out, even start in on them. Only to find that they no longer fit the structure of our day. Ever had that to happen to you? How we respond to the new direction of our day will determine how peaceful the day is. Mine this week have needed to be altered due to some strange dots circling through the house. My plan to daily clean and decorate were set aside due to a needed medical test for myself that was only to take 10 minutes, Yeah, right! And a certain little angel that was broken out in dots. Chicken pox? Hives? What?

Leah started on Tuesday morning breaking out with spots and continued to developed more, with some other symptoms yesterday. A trip to the doctor revealed she was having a allergic reaction to an antibiotic started over a week ago for an ear infection. Whew! No need to quarantine this bundle of energy. A few days of benedryl and she should be spot free. Hurray!

I don't know about you, but anytime I think I have got my plans all laid out in a neat row. The Lord reminds me that HE already has them planned out as well. His plans should always takes priority over mine. Sometimes I jump right into them and other times I try to do my plans along with His as well. Only to find that they often fail and leave me frazzled by trying to do more than I am suppose to. His plans are simple, direct and successful compared to the crazy ones I try to pull off. So what is a girl to do?

Change directions, do the essentials like eating, dressing, providing diversion from discomfort, playing, watching Disney videos, snuggling together and lots of kisses. Tell me what else could I invest my time in that would have the same value of comforting a sick child? Nothing that I can think of.

Plans for Decorating Home

Monday: Master Bedroom and bath ~ done

Tuesday: Guest Room and bath, office (bath done)

Wednesday: Kitchen, Dinning Room, Laundry

Thursday: Den and ____________ (who put this extra time into my schedule?)

Friday: Living Room, (Christmas tree) and Porches

So that leaves me with a multitude of options for today. Do I continue on with where I left off in my plans or do I speed up and condense the schedule? Hmmmm? At present I am thinking that if I take it slowly (vs. sped up) and do one thing at the time I will be able to finish just the same. Maybe not on the appointed date, but close enough to win the race. The bonus will be sustainable energy for the job and the joy of the process. A house deep cleaned and decorate to be enjoyed in the weeks to come. Music inspires my soul, so putting on some Christmas music should get my feet to moving.

Dancing anyone?

Deborah

Day 2 of Christmas Prep

Today was day 2 of my schedule for cleaning and decorating for Christmas. I did not get started till after lunch, as this was the last day of the bible study I have been apart of for the last 3 months. The Patriarchs by Beth Moore was a wonderful study of Genesis, that I would recommend to anyone. Our group of ladies hated to see it end, but we only need to wait till January when the next study begins. I am confident that our lives will be quite busy between now and then, at least mine will.

Room of choice for today was our guest bath. I had hope to get to the guest bedroom as well, but ran out of time. Also a certain little homemaker needed some Nana time as well. I make sure to take the time to rock or hold her when ever she is needing some extra loving. Regardless of what my schedule looks like for the day. They only stay small for a short time and the realization comes quickly, that one day they no longer fit on our laps, nor do they wish to.

Windows and blinds were cleaned, baseboards washed, floor rugs washed and dried, were among the extras done beside the usual cleaning chores. Decorations were set out with fresh candles and little touches to remind us of the celebration to come. Leah loves to go from this room to our bedroom to "see the lights" on each of the small trees. It is so soothing to walk into these rooms and see the glow of the lights across the room. Your soul can't help but to pause and breathe in a slow gentle breath of peace.

How did you do on your plans today? Check in tomorrow for the newest update of the next room conquered for Christmas. Progress is made one step at a time. . . . . so go ahead and take the first one.

Blessings,

Deborah

December has Arrived!

Today marks the beginning of a new month and a countdown to the day we celebrate each December. Christmas is only 24 days away and I haven't given it a second thought yet. Well, maybe one or two in passing days. But no plans have been made or gifts purchased. This year feels different to me in a way that I haven't been able to wrap words around. Maybe it is due to the change in lifestyle we have embraced here. A simplified look at life will strip away those things that are unnecessary for true happiness.

So today I quickly formed a plan for the first week of December, keeping an eye on the calendar towards our Christmas celebration on the 24th. As both Lon and Jason will be working Christmas day this year...bummer! Our family will gather around the tree on the eve of Christmas to eat our holiday meal (unplanned as of yet), open a gift or two and share the love we have for each other.

Order of the day was to take one room in the house and deep clean it before putting out decorations. Today our Master bedroom and bath was selected. I am proud and exhausted to say mission accomplished. Blinds and windows cleaned, room dusted, vacuumed, winter linens put on the bed, ceiling fan cleaned and a fresh throw rug for the bath were just some of the things finished today. Decorations were put out and for now this room sports a holiday feel.

One of my favorite reading chairs

A special tree and Angel I created for our bedroom. . .


The plan is to take one room each day this week and repeat the cleaning and decorating appropriate for it. By the end of the week the house should be deep cleaned and decorated for Christmas, with our tree gracing our living room on the final day. I will try to post a quick note and pictures about my project for the day. Feel free to jump in and join me in getting ready for Christmas. Leave a comment below and let me know how you are doing on your to do list. Maybe we can keep each other accountable to do what needs to be done in order to have several weeks to leisurely enjoy the holiday.

Mirrored view of the decor for Christmas

Join me as I work my way through our home this week, marching onward towards Christmas. Remember the true reason for the season is not a decorative item in our homes, nor a present under the tree. But the gift that resides in our hearts, given many years ago in a manger in Bethlehem.

Blessings this Christmas,

Deborah

Thanksgiving

We had a different kind of Thanksgiving this year, as we traveled to the deer woods where Lon hunts. (See the post for Deer Camp & Wonders ) He and Jason left earlier last week for some Father~Son time. Leah and I left the day before Thanksgiving to meet them and Meme & Granddaddy there. Brian and Crystal drove down later that day to round out our group for the celebration.

Daddy & Lon

Last time we did this was a couple of years ago and Leah was just an infant. Sleeping arrangements had to be re-think this year, as she no longer sleeps in a crib. She enjoyed the options of sleeping with mommy or with daddy or between Papa and me. It was so much fun to see her enjoying the pleasures of the outdoors, camping and of course the daily campfire. One of the neighbors had brought down their 2 dogs which gave her plenty of opportunities for some "doggie kisses". The highlight of her days centered around 4-wheeling with a family member. I think everyone gave her a ride at one point or the other that weekend. She provided a good excuse to ride ourselves.

United in love and Camo ~ Brian & Crystal

Fun was had by all and we enjoyed being together even if stacked on top of each other. Our "I hate bugs!" girl got in on the fun. Donning the appropriate attire for her time around camp. Check out those smiles.

Brian, Crystal and our little hunter, Leah

The Family that hunts together, shares memories

Cooking was a challenge with the small stove in our camper, but with a little effort we were able to pull off a traditional meal with the help of Mom's oven too. Everyone enjoyed eating out under the trees on a makeshift picnic table. The weather was perfect for our al-fresco dinning. Mom took pictures of our group and as soon as I can get copies I will post them.

Leah & Uncle J

Uncle J made sure the smallest of the family clan was decked out in camo as well. As you can see Leah was ready for the woods from head to toe, check our the pink camo hat and boots just like uncle J J has. She looked so cute and walked with the guys around camp, saying hi to everyone she met.

The weather turned cooler and rain entered the picture by the time we left on Saturday. But Lon and I got the opportunity to do what we have come to enjoy while there once more. Riding the back trails around camp and through the woods on 4-wheelers has brought us much pleasure as we share the adventure with only each other. It is hard to describe the feeling of setting off with no planned agenda other than having fun and seeing what we can see.

The chickens back home, were left on their own for the duration of our Thanksgiving trip. Thankful we were, that no one decided to take advantage of their unsupervised time. By putting them on a platter for their Thanksgiving meal. Arriving home on Saturday we discovered that in the 3 days that I was gone, they still gave us 2 1/2 dozen eggs. With the very cold temps at Heartland Farm that week, they were refrigerated naturally in the nests where they were laid. Jason did the collecting and stated that there were a LOT of eggs to pick up. Before leaving for our trip, Lon found some new customers just down the road, who would love to help decrease our supply of eggs.

The garden has taken a beating with the freezing temperatures and I feel sure that only a small amount will be gathered from it now. The last of the fresh greens may be on the horizon for our table. Before we turn around it will be time to start planning our early spring garden. After Christmas you will find us huddled around the fireplace with seed catalogues in hand, marking our favorites and a few new varieties to try in 2009. When the last of the produce is collected we will put the garden to bed with the chicken manure we saved for a winter blanket to feed the soil. Rich in the fertilizer it will provide for next year's crops.

I had been busy finishing up a project for our church's "Covered in Prayer" ministry, delivering it before we left. It was the 6th project that I have been privilege to make. This is a great ministry for using the talents God has given me. It has also enriched my prayer life, as I pray for the person I am making the token of love for, every time I pick up my needles. To date our little group of crafters have delivered 80 projects to those with a health need, death, or other life difficulty. I was also able to complete the turkey for Leah, even though the one for our home is still in pieces on my sewing table. She loved taking out the feathers, counting them and then stuffing them back in that fat-bottom fowl. Sorry no pictures to post at this time.

Leah with Nana

Hope you had a wonderfully blessed time with your family as well. Leave a comment if you like and share how you spent your Thanksgiving.

Deborah