WHERE DOES THE TIME GO? * A 5K & A COUPLE OF ANTIQUE FAIRS

I THOUGHT that once the busyness of the holidays had past, and Christmas décor was all put away, that I would have more time to post.  But I find that more than three weeks have passed since my last post and it seems like the time is just flying by.

I ADMIRE those of you who post and comment regularly – many of you while working outside the home, crafting for an online business, and some even with children at home.  HOW DO YOU DO IT?  I babysit (play with) our 2 year old grandson weekdays, and as much as I enjoy our time together I am often too tired to do much else once he has gone home.  In addition to babysitting Caleb, we have eight other grandchildren who are in and out frequently – wouldn’t have it any other way!  Three of our grandchildren play soccer - so that means lots of soccer games to attend.  I also participate in a Bible Study and am a Mentor for MOPS – activities that are a joy to give my time to.  Some evenings I like to read other blogs and try to leave comments, but it is hard for me to keep up with all of you.  I had intended to participate in the Tuesday Display Chains hosted by Misi, but I just have not had time to take pictures and get them posted.  For those of you who have not visited Misi’s blog, 1890 Gable House Musings, stop over and check out some of the past Tuesday Display Chains – you will be inspired!

THANK YOU TO MY FOLLOWERS – thank you to my new followers and thank you to those of you who have journeyed with me for a while.  When I find that I have a new follower I try to visit your blog, if you have one, and become a follower too – but I’m sure I have missed someone along the way.  SO, if you are following me and find that I am not following you, please email me and I will take care of that right away.  I had no idea when I started this blog, just five short months ago, that I would make so many friends – but I have been inspired, encouraged, and blessed beyond what I ever dreamed possible!  I appreciate each and everyone of you! 

I PARTICIPATED IN MY FIRST 5K (as a walker) on January 15th.  The purpose of the race was to raise funds for a school in Haiti.  I began training the week after Thanksgiving, thinking I would only do this race, since it was for a good cause – but I am hooked.  I found myself looking forward to training and looking for more races to participate in.  My husband is now on board and we will participate in a race together on Saturday.  I still have a hard time believing that I got off the couch and did it, but here I am crossing the finish line!



I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND a couple of Antique Fairs recently.  My DH took me to the Renniger’s Extravaganza on January 16th.  It was the first time we had gone on a Sunday – it is a weekend long event – and it was not as good of a day as we have experienced in the past, on Saturdays.  Many of the dealers had left Saturday night, so there was not as much to see .  And it seemed that many of the ones who stayed had priced their goods on the high side – at least the prices were too high for my budget.  Then, yesterday we went to Arcadia for their monthly Antique Street Fair - it was a cold day for Central Florida and I think that kinda curbed my desire to shop.  I did find a few goodies at both fairs though.

At Renniger’s Extravaganza I got:

A couple of small heart molds, a heart cookie cutter, and a small heart shaped wooden bowl.


A small crockery jug - the one on the left.


And three wooden mashers.  (I guess I now have a collection.)  I displayed them on top of the Rolling Pin/Bowl Holder that I won from Firecracker Kid Primitives.
  

At Arcadia’s Antique Street Fair I got:

Several small tin items to add to my baker’s cabinet display – the box with lid, measuring cup, handled biscuit cutter, shaker, nutmeg grater, and cocoa container.


A candle sconce – I had a couple like this years ago and wished I had kept them.  I have been looking for replacements and found this one – at a good price too!


And a book with a blue cover – for my blue room.


ABOUT MY BLUE ROOM – I had a lot of blue in our previous home and when we moved to this house (almost eight years ago) I thought I was tired of blue and did not use it at all in this home.  This fall I took some quilts to sell at a Street Fair that I participated in – and as the day progressed I kept looking at one of the quilts and thinking I don’t want to let that one go.  So I brought it home, spread it on the bed in one of the guest rooms, and fell in love with it.  The problem was that it didn’t go with anything else in the room.  Since then I have slowly been collecting blue and brown items for a room makeover.  Hopefully I will be able to share my makeover soon, but until then here is a teaser – a portion of the quilt that started my desire to do a room makeover.
Wishing you all a blessed week and all the time you need to accomplish your heart's desires,

Sue

A NEW YEAR–A NEW BEGINNING

“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old.  Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming.  Do you not see it?  Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”  (Isaiah 43:18-19)  As I reflect on 2010, both the good and the not so good, I choose not to dwell on the past – but to look forward with great expectancy to the “new that is coming”.  Perhaps 2010 brought a season of wilderness into your life, but God’s Word tells us He will make a way in the wilderness. 


“You [God] crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with abundance.”   (Psalm 65:11)  I pray that God will go before each of you this year and that you will experience peace, prosperity and an abundance of His presence. 

I gave up making New Year’s resolutions years ago – I found that I often did not keep them anyway.  But this year I have chosen to make two commitments.  I am committing to read through the Bible this year; and I am committing to memorize Scripture – two verses or passages each month.  I realize that these are commitments that in my own power I probably would end up not keeping.  But Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”  So I move forward with confidence, that I will be able to succeed, because I am committing this to the Lord. 

As I reflect on 2010, one of the good things I rejoice over is the friendships I have made through blogland.  Just a few short months ago I set aside my fear of the unknown and started this blog.  And I am so glad I did.  You, my friends and followers, have blessed and enriched my life with your encouragement, support, talents, and creativity.  Thank you for being a part of my life and allowing me to be a part of yours.

Have a blessed New Year,
Sue