Author: Yarrowhouse

Day 7 of 25 Days of Christmas Crafts

Posted by

0

Good evening Wonderers:

I wasn’t sure if I was going to get to post today’s craft because it literally took me a whole day to put it together.  This one might be considered another “c” word beside craft.  A word like challenge or maybe even chore but for me I like to word chaos.

I over heard a neighbor talking about the neighborhood is “playing keeping up with the Jones’s”.  I Had to think about that one for a minute and I decided to tell you about why I hang lights up for Christmas.  I know I’ve told you guys about some of my Christmas memories before and here’s another one.

I came up in the 60’s and 70’s when a string of lights went on individual bulbs.  I recently saw replacement bulbs in the store and wondered who still uses them?  Well I wished I had kept up with the old lights my grandfather used to hang.  Every year my Pop-Pop would sit out on the front porch and wash, test, and  replace each of the bulbs on those old lights while smoking Lucky Strike cigarettes.  He’d be making up stories about us riding in wagons visiting family  and how Santa was coming to town and would use those lights to find the house because he didn’t have a fireplace or chimney.  My Pop would spins yarns for hours keeping us outside in the Philadelphia coldness of winter while my grandmother made Thanksgiving dinner.  Those lights would be up from Thanksgiving until New Years and they were never turned off, or went out or burnt out.  He had so much pride in displaying those big bright lights even when everyone else went to the new fangled version.  He held fast to the tried and true version until his passing.  But I can still see him and those lights.

At our house my Dad would unravel lights and lay them across the living room floor and no matter what he said, somebody would walk by and step on them and break a bulb.  In those days if you broke one, the whole string would go out.  But my dad had the patience of a saint.  He would just laugh and run through those lights until he got them working again and again and again every year.  We lived in the first house on the block and he set the tone of the season and he was known as the “light fixer” and would help anyone light up their house.  His lights woud be up from Thanksiving until New Years and never burnt out or fell down.  He would pack blankets, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies into the station wagon and ride us around West Philadelphia to see the lights.  He had so much joy into putting those lights up for us and still lights up his house every year.

Now here I am outside in 60 degree weather putting up lights.  Last week I was so excited that I called my dad after going through the lights on my pre-lit Christmas tree.  The middle of the tree had burnt out.  It took me four hours to find the three bulbs that burnt out but I got them and my tree is fully lit again.  I said, “Hey Dad.  I feel like I just graduated from the George Stevenson school of Christmas light Repair!”  Boy did he find that funny.  He laughed and we had a long talk about Christmas past and I felt like I was right around the corner instead of the long distance between us.

So today I hung lights that didn’t connect correctly.  I needed a grounded extension cord for some of it.  Went to Walmart and got one, took down the lights and got the ideal from my dad to light them up first, connect them then put them up.  Everything was in place and working when Alex gets off the school bus and steps on a string going across the front porch, although I told him to go up the walkway!  I HAD to go BACK to Walmart and get another string of colored lights because I was NOT going to go through the string.  I got them all lit again when for some strange reason a string of colored lights went out on the first shrub.  I went back to Walmart and got another string of colored lights and put them up and now a string of white lights are out on the center post so I give in.  I’m going  to say it’s not the lights so they will burn until  New Years  but there is a short in the shrub.  It’s not the lights!

So neighbor, in case you were wondering,  

  

  

 

 I’m not trying to keep up with the Jones’s.  It’s way more serious than that.  I’m trying to keep up with the memories my grandfather (may he rest in peace) and my dad (may God grant him a many more Christmas) left me.  I’m trying to light up my generation’s memories in hopes that I’ll stay lit up in their minds and never burn out.

So for the 7th day – Light up your houses!
  
Until next time, thanks for perusing and have a good night.

Day 6 of 25 Days of Christmas Crafts

Posted by

0

Good Morning Wonderers

Day 6 – Make a Holiday Centerpiece

One of my neighbors recently did some tree trimming in his backyard and he knows I collect scrapes of almost anything for the musuem’s children art projects that I volunteer on Earth Day.  We create art using nature.   I had an idea for one small cut of a log.  So me and grandson went to work on it yesterday.

Alex and I worked on this one together.  When you’ve got wood you can get the boy involved.  First we drilled two holes in the log.  We then turned it over and hot glued a small branch the length of the diameter of the bigger log to stabilize it.  These are the legs.  We then shopped around the house for old Christmas decorations.

Alex selected garland.  I went for apples and Redbirds clip-on ornaments.  I purchased these birds from Walmart after Christmas last year for $.50 a piece.  But look around your home and see what you can come up with to upcycle some stray things into one centerpiece.  Here’s our results.


Of course it didn’t quite come out the way Alex had hoped.  He thought we drilled the holes to make eyes for the log.  Maybe next year son.

Have a great day everyone!

Day 5 of 25 Days of Christmas Crafts

Posted by

0

Good morning Wonderers:

For the 5th day of Christmas Crafts I decorated the trees.  I literally just sang that!

I searched all over the garage for my second tree when it dawned on me, we only had one tree up last year because of construction going on downstairs and I threw the older tree to Goodwill.  I thought about getting a real tree for upstairs, but then I thought about  having to water it and vacuum up pines needles.  I then thought about my dog and ultimately about the environment and decided to go artificial.  The best time to get an artificial tree is Black Friday and since I missed it I’ve been on the hunt for a cheap tree.  Well I found it!  Not only is it cheap it was really easy to put up.

   
 Simply Holiday Flat Tree.  It is a pop-up tree on sale for $10.  Originally $15.99 at Roses.  I was doubtful that I would keep it after I opened the box but I thought it was worth investigating.  Look at how simple the directions were.  It was like hanging up my coat.  This little tree already had lights on it too.  Now let me say it is only good for an image of a Christmas tree but that was all I needed for the space I was looking for to put it.  I may go back a buy one for each of the kids bedroom.  I recently purchased a little tree designed by Ellen Degeneres for $35 that is battery operated that I must say I do love but not for 4 bedrooms.  This is is much more cost effective.  

For the 5th day – Decorate your trees.  I made all of the bows and ribbons out of 12″ Roll Wrap by Celebrate It.  My craft for today.  

   
 Thanks for perusing and have a good day!

Day 4 of 25 Days of Christmas Crafts

Posted by

0

Hello Wonderers:

Now this may not seem to be a craft to some but for someone who used to just put a card into an envelope, scribble out an address and lick on a stamp, this is definitely a craft to me.

Today I am making envelopes for my hand made cards and liners for the store bought cards.  I scored some really neat paper.  And yes Kerrie it is only wrapping paper, not paper from PaperSource which is fastly becoming my favorite paper craft store.  That’s my special occasion paper when I only care enough to send the very best!  But for Christmas cards Wonderers I have to be pretty and practical because the recipients only care what’s inside the envelope, the money.

Now isn’t this paper cool or what 

 

All you need is

A pencil, double sided tape, scissors, envelopes and the paper of course. 

  
Trace your envelope on the back of your paper and cut.  Fit it inside of your envelope and tape the backside of both your paper and the envelope. And your done.

  

I went to YouTube and watched a tutorial on how to make an envelope without glue or tape by WatchingWoolykal.  

Wonderful stuff.

Well Wonderers I have a lot more to do so I’ll say goodnight and thanks for perusing.

Update -Day 3 of 25 Days of Christmas Crafts

Posted by

0

Hello Wonderers:

Hubby finished his shirt in time for the party!  Everyone loved it.  That’s what I love about artistic people, they see art in everything!

And yes it was to have a Christmas theme. They all know I can’t follow instructions but at least I did draw what I want for Christmas – ART SUPPLIES!

  
On December 9th The Catawba River Art Guild Is having their annual Christmas party.  Each member and/or spouse are to be bring a T-shirt to swap.  The shirt is supposed to be artistic in some way.  I didn’t remember if it had to be Christmassy or not so I just went with mines.  What y’all think?  Does it need more color?  I used Sharpies Pens in black, gold, silver and cooper.  I love their metallic pens.

 So for the 3rd day of Christmas crafts- Paint a t-shirt!

  Hubby is still working on his.  I refused to do it for him so he’s digging deep for inspiration.  I’ll update his whenever he finishes because I know your wondering what he’s going to come up with.  Me too!
Until next time, thanks for perusing and good night.

Day 2 of 25 Days of Christmas Crafts

Posted by

0

  I always knew my husband’s sports magazine would be good for something.
J did this craft.  Being 4 it took her all day.  So moms after school lets out for the holiday, this will be a good one.

3 easy steps:

Fold to the binder

  
Fold again. 

 
Tuck the bottom in to make it level to stand. 

   And like J said, “Ta Dah!”

I had some left over spray paint and gave it a spritz of silver.  I then put his magazine back in the bathroom where I found it. Not exactly how it was but exactly where it was.

Until tomorrow, thanks for perusing and good night.

My Invitation to a Barbie Party

Posted by

4

I was invited to a Barbie Party by a younger girl friend.  I was so excited and also too embarrassed to admit I didn’t know what kind of party it was.  In fact, I thought I knew.  My version of a Barbie Party was a group of girls getting together to drink cosmos and talk about anything that entered the conversation.  I came up with the conclusion you wore pink of course and some sort of mule styled shoes. As the date got closer, I started to get an uneasy feeling about it all.  I didn’t want to be out of the know and just ask what is a Barbie party to my friend.  I didn’t want to be uncool, so I asked my daughter, who just laughed at me and said, “I wasn’t invited!”  Okay she was happy just to leave me flapping in the wind.  I just kept my vision in mind and purchased a pair of straight leg jeans.  Lord knows I have plenty of pink up in here.

The day of the party I dropped off a plate of appetizers and a salad at the party location.  My girl asked if I wanted to see the cake?  Sure I did, what kind of friend do you think I am?  You my girl, your super excited about your birthday cake.  You’ve been talking about it all week.  When she opened the box, it was a penis cake?  OMG what kind of party was this?  It just didn’t matter at this point.  I wasn’t gonna show all up in the strip club with no dollar bills!  When I got back to the house I asked my daughter if a Barbie Party was a exotic party or a male dancer party or maybe even a toy party?  She just laughed and said, “Worse.”  Okay, I’m always telling my kids to use their words so I looked it up in the dictionary.  The Urban Dictionary and guess what, there is actually a definition in there.  I just can’t make this stuff up!

“Barbie party – incapacitating a female and or females by either a club or drug and having your way with their unconscious body or bodies, this is usually performed by the incapacitator alone, friends must be very trust worthy! usually performed only on really hot chicks that you couldn’t get otherwise.”

The only thing I got out of that definitions was, she didn’t know what a Barbie party was either!  We are like minded. Besides the cake, her definition was right up there with minds.  I missed a fun party.

Mundy Madness / Fight the Battles You Can Win

Posted by

3

Wonderers:

A few month ago I heard whispering in my sleep.  A conspiracy of sorts between my husband and 4 years old granddaughter.  “I’ll get you your own room real soon.  I promise.”  “Can it be pink?”, she said.  His response, “Whatever you want!”

Now there are two concerns going through my mind.  Where is this room coming from and why is it I’m the only one cleaning in this place and I don’t have my own room?

I thought I was taking over the office but the husband has claimed it for himself.  He is taking a 6 month certification class and feels the office is the only place he can study.  He bought himself a new desk and a new office chair to go along with it.  It looks pretty darn studious in there too.  He goes in there and shuts the door and studies until his heart is content.  Sometimes I swear I hear laughter coming from there and it is funny, I went to college at night for 6 years and I studied at the kitchen table with major interruptions.  But okay, fight the battles you can win!

So I know the only empty space is the spare bedroom.  The spare bedroom I’ve had my eyeon (after I lost the office that is) for my art studio.  It has morning light and a real nice size closet and it’s close to my bedroom.  Is this the space he is conspiring to give her?  Of course it is!  She isn’t even ready for her own room.  She sleeps in our bed every night as it is.  

The two of them were making plans.  She told me she was going to get a bunk bed.  We went to the furniture store. I’m was looking at full size beds, she’s looking at bunks.  Before I came to the conclusion the bed I was looking for was not at this store, the bunk bed had been purchased.  As we walked out the store she leaned over to me and said, “I told you so!”

Another explained plan, pop-pop was going to sleep on the bottom bunk and read stories to her every night.  Okay this could be promising!  If I lost my room for a open bed, well, that could work.  So I help paint the room pink and had a life time insured closet installed at pop-pop expense because after all, she might move out and it will be my room someday.  I’ll have to paint over the pepto bismo pink but Once again I conceded.  Fight the battles you can win!

The bunk was delivered.  The plan was executed between those two.  She won the prize!  I cleaned her room, moved all her clothes in there, decorated and spent all my mad money on making it fun for the two of them.  The first night was all set for the bunk mates.  I was popping pop-corn for them when something strange happened.  I was caught me off guard.  I didn’t know what to do.  I heard whispering.

“Mom-Mom can you sleep with me and read me a story?”

 Wonderers, I think I won?

Thanks for perusing and Good night.

Mundy Madness – The Vow of Silence

Posted by

1

Well Wonderers:

Today is as good as any day to tell you about my madness.  So get your cup of coffee or whatever it’s your drinking because I’m going to be awhile.

First let me say it is not easy to not talk about something.   I had a heavy predictiment.  I was praying to GOD to help me so much to the point that I actually took it to pen and paper.  For me that Is the same as taking it to the alter and at that time you are to put it down and leave it in the hands of the Lord.  But I couldn’t.  No matter what the conversation was it always rounded out to my predictiment, my home’s foundation had cracked.

Is there a such thing as a small crack?

I notified our home warranty company and they sent out an engineer to review the situation.  Everyone in the neighborhood told me that they were just going to put a crack gauge on the house.  But I thought, NO not my house.  They are going to fix my house.   Needless to say I did get that answer that there was nothing structurally wrong with my house.

My poor husband.  I was like, “Do something, call somebody before my house falls to the ground!”  At the same time, my mother was ill and I went to Philadelphia leaving my husband to deal with the situation.  I was calling him every day.  I had him call a geo-technical engineer, Ramjack, the county, our house inspector, anybody who could give me an answer to my problem.  What I learned was I had a bigger problem than I thought for what the letter said was – there was nothing structurally wrong with the house but that we were being advised to fix the main crack.  Oh, did I tell you I had multiple cracks but one was so bad the it has deflected and was a trip hazard.  My brand new house of 3 years.

When I came back into town, my husband informs me that the problem was worst than we thought because no one would touch it.  I call a concrete guy, a brick mason.  a jack of all trades guy that said he would fix it for $200.00 but to tell the warranty company that we fixed it because he wasn’t licensed.  The last person I spoke to said this, “Your at a Catch 22.  If I fix it and it gets worse, your warranty company will say I did something wrong.  If you fix it and it gets worse, you did something wrong.  If you do nothing and it gets worse its because you didn’t fix it as advised.  Either way they were not liable and I was screwed.  What else was I to do.  Well I thought about moving as in walking away from this house.  Shucks, I had good credit.  Just buy another house and everything else I needed and just walk away and let them foreclose on it.  I wouldn’t be able to get anything else for a long while, so I was actually writing a list of the things I needed until my husband said that was not an option.  Okay my next option was talk to an attorney.

So my attorney writes a letter to the builder and the warranty company along with the geo-technical engineer’s report and we wait.  Now at this time my nextdoor neighbor is sending emails out that her foundation has cracked. WTF!  Now the neighborhood is abuzz with foundation issues, drainage issues and that’s when I go into my closet and start to pray about it.  But all that was on my mind was my house.  That’s all I was talking about and I started getting cocky about it too.  I was saying things like, “There’s only two ways we can go about this, the easy way or the hard way, but either way, my house will be fixed. ” That’s when I had to take a vow of silence because if I had went on social media with my madness,  things might have really turned out differently.  Because when I stopped talking about it and put my energy someplace else. I started thinking differently.

The first thing I did was christened and named my house.  I chose the name “Ethanael”.  It means God given strength.

When I was not talking about it I was reminded that the only thing I didn’t like about my house was that is was carpeted .  But because of that crack the whole downstairs floor had to be removed and what a good time for them to be replace them with the hardwood I wanted.  Needless to say, everything worked out and the builder did a remediation on my house.   No one can predict ground movement and if they put my house on piles (like we originally thought) they might have fell and I really would have had a problem.  I still have seven years left on my warranty.  When I think about it now I am reminded God choose this house for me.  I had to be inconvenience but I know have everything in here I wanted.  All I had to do was shut my mouth and wait on him.