HE IS FREE AT LAST

Free from the mouth full of metal that he has endured since his freshman year (no sympathy from us).  Free to drive in car without his mom or dad with him.  Free to do so many things.  How did this happen so quickly?  Was I not here the last 16 years?  I sure do love this boy/young man/teen.  With freedom comes great responsibility - Eleanor Roosevelt.

Domestically Driven

Remember my post from months back that my word for the year is driven?  Well I'm still striving towards new things that make my stretch, physically, emotionally, spiritually.  My drive right now is learning and equipping to entertain people in my home.  I frequent the local thrift stores and my current finds include a beautiful tablecloth, crackle vase, clear glass pyrex platter, 4 glass salad plates and a secret find that I'll share later when my camera is handy.  I also bought 3 clear glass plates from Bed, Bath & Beyond to give me a total of 8 dinner plates.  Total cost under $15.  I'm now moving on to 4 bar stools, my kitchen table is bistro height.  So, if my friends come over I need to be able to seat them somewhere other than the couch.  Many thanks to my girlfriends, Kelly, Sandy & Amy who let me ask many "stupid" questions about what they do and what they have at their homes.  The info I've gathered from them is priceless.  I'm trying to come up with a menu for my first gathering my Reluctant Entertainer book says cook things you know so I'll be working on that.  I've always thought that having people over didn't mean having  to serve prime rib or crab, why not spaghetti??  It's the friends not the food right? Wish me luck.

Beach Boat Church Camp

I ask for prayers as our high school youth group leaves for summer camp.  It sounds like an terrific place, they get to stay on house boats.  How COOL is that?  I want our big guy to have an amazing time, have so much fun he doesn't think he could pack one more thing into this "fun" schedule.  I also pray that he is amazed by the Lord.  On a more evil note, I'm going to clean and rearrange his room while he is gone.  MUAHAHAHAHA.  Cheers!

An Old Dog Can Learn New Tricks

So, I've been reading my new book The Reluctant Entertainer.  I'm feeling like I have gained some new confidence that I to can do this entertaining thing.  It's not hard, or at least it's not supposed to be.  I purchased a new steno pad to take important notes for myself from the book.  I've been going through my own stash of dinnerware etc., I've been making bi-weekly trips to the local thrift stores to see what I can pick up to add to my own (advice from the author).  So far I have found 2 packages of 4 cloth napkins, dark sage green $1 each, clear decorative bottle for flowers $1.50, round red placemats on clearance for .88 cents a piece.  I did notice that I am lacking on the amount of dinnerware I have.  Don't judge me but I only have a service for 4 in my all white cafe style dishes.  If I do have people over what are they supposed to eat on?  I'm hoping to add a few more dishes in the next couple weeks, I also noticed that our fork population has decreased.  ????.  I'm thinking they may be hiding in the boys' rooms.  Have a great week, maybe you'll be the victim, I mean lucky person who gets to be a part of my entertaining experience.  Cheers!!

Finally, My Waiting Is Over

I've been waiting for 7 very long days for the book I ordered to arrive.  One of the blogs I love and follow is Nesting Place and while reading one day she blogged about a book that a friend wrote and was just published.  It spoke of entertaining people and how it didn't have to be fancy, complicated or hard.  I was instantly in love.  I always long to have friends over but seldom do.  There are 1000 excuses I could come up with, like my house is to small, food not fancy enough, not enough seating and on and on.  The book is entitled The Reluctant Entertainer by Sandy Coughlin, her lovely blog is of the same title.  I am the reluctant entertainer and am sooo hoping this will help me venture out into the unknown I desperately desire.  I will surely keep you updated on my progress. Cheers!

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

I repeat, the eagle has landed.  Yesterday right after lunch I got the happiest phone call from the receptionist at work.  My new sewing machine had arrived.  I quickly sprinted up front to retrieve my prize.  I decided to go with the Brother cs6000i.  It is a moderately priced machine and has 60 stitches and some slightly fancy features.  I was so excited because it came with a hard carrying case and extended table attachment.  Yipee!  I will probably take it for a test drive later this week.  I appreciate all who helped out by giving your opinions and letting me know what you sew with.  Cheers!

Hot Days of Summer

We are planning our first (and inexpensive) outing tomorrow night.  Our local pool is open on M, W & F nights from 6:30-8pm.  The cost is $1 for kids up to age 17 and $2 for adults.  It's supposed to be over 100 degrees tomorrow and I thought it would be a great place to visit.  I don't get in the water yet, maybe another 50 lbs from now.  But I do take my baseball chair and book, I find a shaded spot and just enjoy myself.  Of course I'm bringing my camera to get some pics of the boys.  Cheers.