LETTING GO

Without reservation I can say, "I am a collector." Over the years I've had many collections; carousels, dishes, crystal. bells, pottery, purses and compacts, just to name a few.  And of course there is a collection of fabric and sewing items.  I have also managed to accumulate a rather nice collection of vintage clothing. Recently it hit me that I've got to start making plans for all this stuff because it just doesn't seem fair to put that responsibility on someone else.  I started by taking photos of my home and it's contents, making a list of everything and then began the process of deciding who would enjoy what.  I even called a few people and asked them what they would like to have when I'm gone!  My close friends were not surprised by what might seem a strange question.  It is a well known fact that I am borderline eccentric.  But as I was going through some things, especially the vintage clothes and family heirlooms I decided that the time was now.  Why wait until I'm dead and gone?

So my first item, a 1950's mouton jacket,  that was boxed and shipped went to my niece, Tuesday, a 23 year old college student at the University of Arkansas. She loves vintage clothing and I know she will love this jacket and I hope she will think of her Aunt Lizzie every time she wears it.

Now Tuesday you need to send me a photo of you wearing the jacket.

NEW TOOLS!

After a few minutes of frustration I am getting excited. I had been having trouble with my computer for the last couple of months and was thinking about replacing my pc with a Mac. Well yesterday i took the plunge so now I am a proud but somewhat frightened owner of a MacBook Pro. My computer skills are basic so this could prove to be a major leap into new skills. So here's my first post on Mac. Next up is photos.

ONE-EYED SEWING

16 years ago I had RK eye surgery and I then enjoyed 20/20 vision. Well over the last few years my vision has deteriorated so on Tuesday I had PRK, which is lasik for those that have previously had RK. It is a bit different from regular lasik in that your vision is not immediately improved, it is painful and there is more recovery time. Despite these drawbacks I decided to go ahead with the surgery but what I wasn't prepared for is the hair-pulling boredom. I got through the first 3 days by sleeping but on Friday I felt much better only to discover that there just isn't much you can do when you can't see. I couldn't read, sew or even watch much tv ( as if there was something to watch). Today I did manage to cut out a blouse and do some simple sewing which I think turned out okay. I'll know for sure when my vision returns. The whole experience has been a reminder about the incredible workings of this body God created and how thankful I am to enjoy good health. Next month I will have the other eye done and will be prepared with books on cd and maybe a couple of movies to bide the time. Tomorrow, day 7 I can wear makeup again and Jim will be thankful.

AUGUST 25, 1979

at 7:00 in the evening I married the man I always dreamed about. A kind and gentle man, a man who would cherish me, pamper me, love me, treat me with respect, praise me, protect me, encourage me, provide for me, challenge me, understand me, excite me, die for me, teach me, laugh at me, listen to me, be proud of me.... me, me, me. The list goes on. This dear sweet man I married does all this and more. He's made me a better person, through his selfless ways he has shown me what it really means to love someone. I pray God gives me another 30 years with my sweetheart so I can give back to him just a little of the joy he has given me.

SUMMER - The Beginning or the End

Today Grace started back to school so my 10 wonderful weeks of babysitting have come to an end. I already miss the little darling and actually considered going to school with her but thought better of the idea. First, I would be hard to explain to the other kids and even though she is only 6 I have learned that when her friends are around I drop to the "B list." So I took a look around my house at all the things that need to be done and checked my many lists of all the things I want to do and made a plan.

After the laundry and ironing clothes I haven't worn since June I moved to the kitchen and cleaned and reorganized the fridge and the pantry. Next up the pickles. One little vine that Grace planted has produced enough cucumbers for 8 quarts of pickles. I've never made pickles before so I'm not sure but I think this is alot of pickles. I have jars sitting all over my kitchen - there are jars that have to be shaken daily, oh so exhausting, and jars of pickles that are waiting to be sliced, sugared and shaken.

Then on to my next project, ME! You might think I would be just too tired but NO! It may have taken many years but I have learned to practice the art of living my life rather than just maintaining it. First up was a trip to my favorite second-hand book store and a stop at Borders with a 40% off coupon resulting in 7 new reads. Although I have been reading alot this summer I am excited about reading something other than Pinkalicious and Fancy Nancy! At Borders I picked up Lisa See's Shanghai Girls (I loved Snow Flower and the Secret Fan). Two of the books I got at the used bookstore are Raising Lambs Among Wolves, about your children and spiritual warfare and Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. I still can't get enough of Russia. And a wonderful find there was the Bobbsey Twins! Oh my gosh! I had forgotten all about Bert, Nan, Freddie and Flossie and I am so excited that they are still around! It makes me wonder about The Boxcar Children.

And it seems I never go to town without a stop at the infamous Joann's. This time it was for patterns, I mean they are on sale so it just makes sense to buy them, right?and other notions to either complete existing projects or start new ones.

It is now 2pm and all I have to do is shut up and go play!

ONE DOWN 18 TO GO

My first box of stuff is full and in the garage waiting to be donated. Most of the contents came from the pantry and guest baths. And if I was to go a little deeper I'm sure I could get another box out of the pantry. There is so much that never gets used, like a new grater. Actually I know someone I should send it to as a housewarming gift. That is a joke and when she reads this she'll know. Box 2 and 3 will be a nice set of dishes, complete with serving pieces and matching glasses. Unfortunately the storms on Monday left many people homeless and I know someone will be able to use them. My next efforts will be directed at the laundry room and hall closet. I know I'm putting off the inevitable, my sewing room and my closet but I need time to build up to this monumental task.