Friday, July 12, 2013

All in a day's no-work!

NOTE:  This is a post from about 1 month ago.  So, that being said, I congratulate myself for actually having posted (just never published it) something in 3 months rather than the 4 I had originally thought.

This has been a very restful day. I work 6 days a week, with one day off (Thursday's) and this is it. I feel so conflicted, because I just want to sit back, relax, enjoy the things I want to enjoy... yet, I also need to take care of my house, life, and everything else. Oh well... I am certain that I'm not alone.

The Winds of Change

OK, so only 4 months in between posts.  That's better, eh?  Nearing the middle of July here in NE PA.  We had an absolutely gorgeous spring.  A bit dry, but beautiful.  Then came the heat of summer... and brought with it the nasty humidity we all have grown to love (or in my case, dislike). 

The flower beds are beautiful.  Not by my doing... as you all know, I have a resident gardener.  I used to say about him... "give the man a chain saw and just see what he can do!"  I have changed my tune.  Since all old evergreen trees are gone, and have been replaced with beautiful flowering fruit trees and such... I now say about him "give that man a shovel and some dirt and watch him go!"  I will take photos soon and post them.  Since what good does it to tell you how beautiful they are and you can't see it?

I am dealing with life just one step at a time.  Things are in a constant state of change.  Sometimes this is good, and sometimes it's not.  Hopefully I will be able to share more detail of my personal situation as time goes by.

Summer is in full swing.  For the most part, it's been very enjoyable. 

The shop is still not open.  I groan to myself at the amount of times I've put that statement to print.  I keep hoping that life will settle down and I can actually do something that I love to do.  I'm waiting for MY turn!  It's coming... I can feel it.

I look forward to catching up with all my blogger friends out there.  It's been a long time.  I have the nasty habit of getting online, losing all track of time, and then feel guilty for the things I haven't accomplished.  I live vicariously through so many of you.  But as I say, MY turn is coming.  Lots of projects to do, cleaning, clearing out, and re-doing some other things.  The list is endless.  If any of you are like me... the list just keeps growing and growing.  Leaps and bounds!  But the check off marks seem to take a bit longer.

Hugs to all, and to all a great evening,
Penny Sue


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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Question???

Can anyone out there help me? I just published a post, and none of the paragraph spacing took effect. What do I need to do?

For shame, for shame!

I cannot even believe it's been well over a year since I've posted anything to this blog. Shame on me. It has been an overly eventful span of time, however, I would not be able to cover everything. But, I'm back. Much is happening in the way of Penny For Your Thoughts in the manner of "business ventures".

My husband is home full time now, and has taken a huge (and I mean huge) interest in gardening. In the past two years, our front and back yards have taken on a whole new life. I call him "Farmer Charlie". Of course, being the early part of March, he is extremely anxious for the arrival of spring. Although it is set for a particular date on the calendar, it definitely has a mind of its own. I do believe spring is "in the air" so to speak. Warmer days are predicted for the very near future. Whether they last or not remains to be seen. Anyhow... back to business. Farmer Charlie has been very diligent in starting up seedlings. All sorts of seedlings. There is so much dirt in my shop, I fear I will never find the floor again. It's ok though, because he's happy, and that makes me happy.

The storefront is not presently open. We are in the process of changing the venue of what I called my gift shop. I was having difficulty trying to find quality products, made in the USA, and the like. The plan, as it stands right now is for me to sell as much as I can online. I have a facebook page for Penny For Your Thoughts, and I'm just in the beginning phases of posting photos and descriptions and prices of items for sale.

Since I had such a variety of items in the shop, it should be interesting to see what sells and what doesn't. I have tons of vintage stuff, retail, and some antiques. I'm certainly hoping for better days this year. The past two have presented themselves to be quite a challenge. We have survived, and we will carry on. One foot in front of the other... and one step at a time. Right now, it's time for sleep. I have much to do tomorrow... and I need my sleep. Good night, Penny Sue

Saturday, December 24, 2011

A peaceful Christmas

It is the day before Christmas Day, which would make it Christmas Eve, I suppose. I have not endured one ounce of stress during this holiday season. So many changes have taken place in our celebrations for Christmas over the past 2 or 3 years. Of course, this year, I have my sister the thank for most of the stress-free Christmas day. She has invited us to her home for a lovely meal, and just good family fellowship, being able to visit with my nieces, whom I don't get to see nearly as much as I would enjoy.

We used to buy, and buy, and buy some more for this eventful day. Until one point my sister and I said to each other... "why are we doing this to ourselves"? Is this what Christmas is all about? Spending all this hard-earned money on gifts that we "hope" someone else will appreciate and enjoy?

A few years ago, back in 2005 on December 19th, I had finished my 37th radiation treatment. I was completely exhausted, and I remember calling my sister and asking her if it would be ok if we just did a "grab-bag" gift pile with each person attending the event bringing a $5 gift, wrapped, and ready to put under the tree. This turned out to be a lot of fun. You didn't know who you were buying for, and it seemed to take some of the pressure off, worrying about "so-and-so" liking what they got. I mean, it was only $5. And you would be surprised as to the creativity of our family in what they could come up with for $5. So, we did this for a few years. Then we decided, really, do we need to do this at all? We're all old now, and don't need the added expense of buying anything at all. If you have ever considered doing something like this, be prepared for the long-reaching effects this will have on your perspective of Christmas.

The very first year, we only exchanged cards among the family members. (Bought gifts for Daddy, cuz, well that's just the way it is. Sorry, can't let the day go by without gifts for the man who played Santa for us all our lives. Anyhow, Daddy always gives us very generous gifts, written on pieces of paper, that go to the bank, and make us all very giddy with excitement as to how we should "enjoy" it. So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.) My husband and I did not exchange gifts either... and let me just tell you, that first year was "culture shock". But, again, if you attempt this at home, it kind of grows on you. It makes you wonder why on earth we make ourselves completely nutsy-in-the-head shopping until we want to reach out and throttle some little old lady, counting out her change in line in front of us... and about 30 other people in line behind us? Is this what Christmas is really all about? Getting the good deal, the best price, the biggest gift, the better gift than "so-and-so" gave someone? Seriously?

So... here's to another peaceful Christmas! I excitedly look forward to being with my husband, Dad, my sister and my brother-in-law and my two nieces, and their significant others. I know it will be a relaxed, most enjoyable time. A time of remembering those who are no longer with us... a time of missing those who cannot be with us (due to other obligations and can't be there)... and a time of making new memories... and hearing the sweet sounds of everyones laughter. I love to hear everyone in my family laugh. It is the sweetest, most pleasant sound. It makes me wonder what it must have been like for Mary to hear the very first giggle out of her son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe it is a sound she remembered all her life long.

Merry Christmas... and blessings beyond your comprehension. May the real reason YOU celebrate this day bring you joy and peace.

Hugs,
Penny Sue