A little sprucing up....

Happy February everyone!

Another new month in this new year. I hope it doesn't zoom by like January did! I've been puttering and doing a little bit of clean-up, sprucing up and reorganizing.

And my Christmas tree is finally put away for another year! I can actually SEE out of my front window now!

She's gone for another year.

I shouldn't have Spring fever yet, but I seem to be wanting to clean things up, remove "stuff" and make my surfaces more clear and open. So I've been swiping stuff off, either for just tossing or putting in a donation box. I don't know what has gotten into me!

I'll walk into a room and think, "now there is just too much STUFF in here"!! 

My little master bath received a teeny tiny makeover. My counter was just too cluttered..........  here is the "before"....

The little plastic drawers took up too much room... and the little dish of my combs and brush cluttered it up..... so I removed the plastic drawers and put everything that was in them, into some little glass (yogurt) jars I had saved to use for "something". I actually hadn't thought of this until I was rummaging around in my kitchen cupboard looking for something, and saw those glass jars. It's very unusual for yogurt to come in these darling, cute, glass jars so I kept them. 

Here is the brand of yogurt that comes in these cute little glass jars.

So when I was trying to decide what to do with the contents of the plastic drawers, a light bulb went off in my head! use those little glass jars.

And voila........... this wicker shelf (below "before") got cleaned off and became the holder for all the little glass jars filled with things from the plastic drawers.

"Before" shelf... didn't need those ugly pill bottles there, or fingernail polish (which I NEVER use!

I love it! I made the circular labels and printed them out on sticker paper.

And my counter is now cleared off and it feels so much nicer and cleaner. 

It doesn't seem like much, but each little "spruce-up" makes me feel lifted up. I need these little things to pass the time and cheer me up, since my husband passed. 

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I don't know if I ever showed pictures of our main bathroom vanity that we had (someone else) installed last summer, so here is a photo......... and I cleaned it off just recently, and cleared the clutter off, and I like how it looks much cleaner and clearer now.

Below is the "before" photo. Awful! I still have to patch the holes in the wall where the old mirror was....I actually was going to do it one day a few weeks ago, and had everything ready to go, plus an (older) container of spackle, and when I went to get started, it was all dried out. So that project got put aside and I never have come back to it! One of these days when the mood strikes me............... and I also have a can of painting sitting there, inviting me............

And one more thing I don't think I ever showed, was the work I did on our fireplace/wood stove area last summer. Here's a "before".....

The wall behind was red brick, like the hearth, and it had been torn off so it was just bare wallboard and the metal plate that was installed.

I sanded the wall and painted it white. Then I bought some molding and painted it white, and nailed it to the sides. I left room at the top for a mantel eventually (I need a handyman!).... and used heat resistent ceiling tiles to cover up the metal plate.  I really like the results, and felt good that I accomplished this little project on my own (last summer before all the sickness started).

I don't know if I'll ever get a "real" mantel, so my next project is using some decorative black scrolly metal supports to hold up a nice white shelf. That is on my ever growing annoying "to do" list.

I've also been having fun with some Valentine's Day crafting. That'll be in my next post.

We are having GORGEOUS sunny weather here. It feels like Spring, but I know there is probably still alot of winter weather ahead of us. For today though, it's sunny and bright, blue sky, 60 degrees and no wind. 

Be blessed............

~Marilyn~

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PLEASE DO NOT COPY MY PHOTOS AND IMAGES INTO YOUR OWN POSTS WITHOUT FIRST LINKING TO THIS BLOG AND MY NAME.

To keep me warm.

Hello friends,

My brain is still in a fog from all of the past events...... nothing seems to pop into my head that I want to share on my blog... not like it used to anyway. I was always inspired to share "something".  I hope I get that part of me back. I do want to share two of my most recent purchases that I just love, and one keeps me warm and one keeps me company!

I've needed a little heater for my bedroom, as there is no heat at all in there, and I close the door at night to keep the kitties from jumping on my bed during the night. Oh yes.. I would LOVE to sleep with my kitties if they wouldn't walk all over me, but they do, and I need my sleep! So the door gets closed... and then the bedroom gets pretty cold.

I just LOVE this little "heater"/fireplace. It makes for such sweet ambiance in the evening when I retire to the bedroom and spend a little time playing a few games of solitaire or working on a crossword puzzle. Those things relax me......... and then I'm ready to snuggle in and go to sleep.

The pink lantern on top is one I had outside last summer, hanging on my fence. It had fallen off the fence and sat there on the ground for the last few months (under snow even). I found it, picked it up, and the batteries still worked, so inside it came. It's such a nice soft light.

And what better way to play my solitaire on then a NEW smart phone! I treated myself to my first ever "smart" phone... and is it ever smart.. way smarter than me! But it's my new toy and I'm enjoying it. (did ya notice the pink wallpaper????) of course.........

And I even got a little tripod to take pictures of me and ???, family or friend if the need arises. The stand arms can bend and twist, and you can wrap them around a pole, or fence, or car mirror, or whatever, so that a timed shot can be taken. Love it!

I even tried taking some selfies........ such fun, but maybe one out of 100 turned out decent.... decent enough to show the world. And by the way, yes my Christmas tree is still up.... I so enjoy the lights that I'm not ready to take it down for the year.

I want to thank all of my blogging friends for reaching out to me, either by commenting on my blog or emailing me. These are lonely days, and I so appreciate the rays of light that shine on me when I receive a card, email or comment. Each and every one is such a blessing!

~Marilyn~

Have a Blessed Christmas

Merry Christmas to all... and to all a goodnight!

I wrote this poem (below) back in 2013. It just popped into my head the other day when I was telling a friend I wrote it, so had to go to my blog to find it!

The writing is a little blurry, as I saved it in a smaller size, and the original size is on one of my (many) thumbdribes!

Thought I would post it again, and wish everyone a Merry Christmas... full of joy, peace, love, and the "warm fuzzies".

Love to all..........

~Marilyn~

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PLEASE DO NOT COPY MY PHOTOS AND IMAGES INTO YOUR OWN POSTS WITHOUT FIRST LINKING TO THIS BLOG AND MY NAME.

I've been busy..........

Hi friends,

As the title says.. I've been trying to keep myself busy since my last post. This is a photo heavy blog so just a warning!

I've had my up and down days since my husband passed. Sometimes I feel like I'm still in shock.. it's so surreal that he isn't here. I just take each day at a time, and do what I feel needs to be doing... and sometimes I do nothing if I'm too overwhelmed.

To keep myself occupied, besides all of the necessary things that need taking care of after our spouse passes (of which there is SO much and it can be overwhelming), I have been making and creating... it is my happy place, my craft room, and when I'm there working, the time passes very quickly.

I'm happy with what I've created. Most of it has been for the little gift shop here in town,  Hummingbird Junction. It is a wonderful little shop, run by a lady whose dream it was to one day have her own little magical place, and it surely is wonderful! She stocks mostly gently used items that she finds on her "treasure hunts" as she calls them.

I received a custom order from the shop, fairly soon after my husband passed.. and I debated on doing it, but thought it would help me pass the time... and it probably was a wise thing to do. The order was for 14 little Scripture tag albums, and as I worked on them, I was reminded of many bible scriptures that helped me through the days.

I had told the gal that I didn't know if I would get them all finished, and she said she would take what she could get! but thankfully, I actually DID complete all of them. Quite satisfying and very enjoyable. Each little album was unique, and each one became my friend.

The other things I made for the shop are......

Tea packets

Hot apple cider packets

Hot cocoa packets

Bottle cap "buttons" and charms

These are the most precious images! I bought them from an Etsy shop

I made some more of my old standby.... Hershey Bar pockets for Christmas. Each one comes tucked cozily in a cello bag. These are so fun to make.

I LOVE this pastel Christmas paper! I used by bottle cap "buttons" on these pockets.

Next came a new project....some little Chapstick holders..........

Chapstick holders, with peppermint striped Chapsticks inside.

Insert Chapstick here

I think that is the sum of the things for the shop! As I said, I've been busy! I wanted to make a few more of the Scripture tag albums for the shop, but don't think I'll get them done in time for Christmas. 

I've also kept busy making some Christmas cards (not as many as I normally make) and a few little gifts for my family. I think my "busy-ness" has gotten me through these last few months.

I did manage to add a few items to my Etsy shop, but I've been really remiss in keeping my Etsy store current.

I did finally put up my tree - I wasn't going to but decided maybe it would bring me a little cheer, which it has, and I'm glad I did. I only have a few ornaments on it as my two most favorite ornaments boxes somehow got pushed to the back of my garage, behind alot of (very heavy) "stuff" that I don't feel like moving.

I found this DARLING patchwork PINK Santa at the Hummingbird Junction shop. Who could resist a pink and green Santa, all dressed up in his little vest with a little chain watch tucked in his pocket??

I'm not doing much house decorating this year, but I decided to at least make my dining table pretty. I found this neat wood tray at the one bazaar I went to, and have filled it with little trinkets from the Dollar Tree and things I had. I didn't do much digging in my Christmas decoration tubs this year....my heart is just not in it.

In digging through my decorations, I came across my ceramic village houses that I bought years and years ago. I painted some of them back in the 90's, and then in moving to central Oregon, several of them were broken. These are the ones left and I was so happy to find them! I hope to paint a few more over the holidays, as I'm staying home and not going anywhere.

The details in this barn are pretty amazing!

There was a little "weather excitement" around here in November, but I'll save that for the next post. I'm really slowing down on my posts, but I'll post when I can, and with little things I want to share.

I hope every one of you, friends, family and followers, has a nice Christmas, full of love, joy and peace.

~Marilyn~

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PLEASE DO NOT COPY MY PHOTOS AND IMAGES INTO YOUR OWN POSTS WITHOUT FIRST LINKING TO THIS BLOG AND MY NAME.

Changes..........

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted.

Many things have happened since my last post on August 14th.

I got COVID on August 29th (or I should say "it got me")....... toughed it out for a week at home and then when it got more difficult to breathe, I went to ER and was transported to the hospital in Bend (1-1/2 hours away) and was in the hospital for a week. Thankfully, my lungs weren't attacked too severely, but I've never felt so rotten in my life.

My husband was a little sick, and he said it was "just a cold". He was trying to take care of himself at home. When I was in the ER, they tested him for COVID and the next day was told he was positive for COVID. He still chose to stay home.

Two days later, he called me in the hospital and said he "had taken a turn for the worse" and was going to the ER. They immediately transported him to the same hospital I was in in Bend. We were on the same floor, about 10 rooms apart. We never got to see each other though, as they were VERY strict on keeping the people in the "COVID rooms" completely shut off from anyone else.

While I got a little better every day, he continued to get worse. I was on oxygen and the steroids they give you specifically for COVID. 

My husband had many complications - he had air in his belly, and his pneumonia got worse. They put a tube down his nose to try to release the air from his belly.  They gave him a more concentrated oxygen. They talked about having to ventilate him. I was in constant contact with his nurses and his doctor. He agreed to be ventilated if it would help, although we both knew what the outcome usually is when you're ventilated.

I went home on September 14th so was in the hospital for 7 days. I was not allowed to go visit my husband, but we talked on the phone every day and the nurses and doctor called me to let me know his condition. I felt so helpless. I kept "suggesting" other things that friends and family had suggested worked for people they knew who had COVID. The doctor was very insistent that none of those things worked. Again, I felt so helpless.  

I, myself, was still recovering from COVID. I was on oxygen at home, took the steroids for a few more days, and was taking many other supplements to boost my immune system and help my lungs. I was so so fatigued, tired, weak and lethargic. I couldn't even fathom traveling an hour and a half to the hospital, suiting up and going to see my husband. I felt awful that I couldn't/didn't go, but I was still very sick.

My husband continued to get worse. He was struggling to breathe. The doctor said they could not vent him at this point as his lungs were very bad and had previous scarring (they did a CT Scan).  At this point also, my husband could not even talk - it took too much effort.

On September 22nd, early in the morning, my husband passed away. I was in shock. Two days earlier he had seemed to rally and they had him sitting in a chair and he could talk. I had high hopes for his recovery. Two days later, he was gone.

I am still in shock and denial. 

I don't know how much I'll blog now. My life is going to be so different... and I know there will be many changes coming. For now, I'm staying put where I am, in this sweet little cottage.... but I don't know what the future holds for me.

Being in the hospital for those 7 days, and being so sick, and knowing my husband was so sick, my perspective changed drastically. All of the little things seemed so irrelevent as I laid there in that hospital bed........... all of my "stuff" seemed irrelevent, TV, commercials, news, noise, people, talking, all seemed to mean nothing to me. And I still feel that way now.

I pray every day to "Let Go and Let God".. and try not to control the next path I will take in my life. All I know, is that everything has changed.

Rest in Peace my sweet Husband.
Ronald McLeod
10-29-1948 to 9-22-2021

Our 18th anniversary was October 18th, 2021.

~Marilyn~

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PLEASE DO NOT COPY MY PHOTOS AND IMAGES INTO YOUR OWN POSTS WITHOUT FIRST LINKING TO THIS BLOG AND MY NAME.