I have my "One Little Word".....

Have you chosen a "word" for 2011?
My word for 2009 was FOCUS...
In 2010 it was MANAGE....
Sitting in church yesterday I thought, "I have to chose a word that will inspire me and not set me up for failure." It came to me...."SIMPLIFY".
I need to SIMPLIFY things in various areas of my life...
Reorganize, eliminate and use-up come to mind....

If I SIMPLIFY things, I will have more time to create.....

Thanks to all of the Peppermint Girls and their amazing tags!!!

And concentrate more on being healthier so I don't feel like this...

Courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

and I want WAY more time to spend with these people...

Charlie and Miles (and their parents) came for a visit right after Christmas. Charlie & I made pancakes one morning...we had lots of fun together! 
Wish me luck with this commitment and I wish you the same with your One Little Word if you choose to participate. For more information, you can go to Ali Edward's blog here or here.

I'll be back soon....
XOXO
Joyce





Goodbye 2010....Hello 2011

Dear Friends,
I have been gone from this little blog for weeks and weeks.
Life needed tending and I haven't yet been able to make my way back to posting. I am fine...I was just busy with so many things at once.

Today, I have been....
thinking about the Valentine swaps and a year long swap I have signed up participate in.
thinking long and hard about my One Little Word for 2011.
thinking about and praying for so many friends who are struggling right now. Health issues, personal conflicts and even death of a loved one has troubled some dear, dear friends recently.

I miss you all and have appreciated your notes and cards, emails and gifts (which I will write about soon).
I will not miss 2010. This past year has had more challenges than I would have liked. Thank God for his grace. He has brought me through some difficult situations and renewed my strength.

This was my planner for 2010...pretty funny, huh?

And my new planner for 2011

I promise to be back sooner than 6 weeks...I just didn't want 1-01-11 to slip by without wishing you....

Happy New Year!

Thank you for all of the love and support you have given me this past year.

I have appreciated it more than you will ever know.

xoxo

Joyce



Here's the BIG news!

In addition to all of the craft show frenzy that has been going on around here for the past few months....David and I were also awaiting the arrival of this handsome guy....

We are so pleased to introduce our new Grandson....

Miles Liam

born on November 8th

We were able to sneak off to see him for a mere 24 hours

We couldn't get over how alert he was for only 2 days old...

We loved giving lots of kisses and gentle hugs to this sweet boy and of course we also had to share that loving with Miles' big brother, Charlie, who celebrated his 3rd birthday on November 12.

We had fun at our favorite playground, and even grabbed a quick nap in the car...

Charlie loves his new baby brother...

and is very helpful to his Mommy and Daddy.

Now, aren't you glad that I'm not the type of Grandmother who makes you

view endless pictures of her Grandchildren?

I had to throw that last picture in from Halloween...he was the happiest Cowboy Woody I've ever seen and so pleased with his new light up boots!

We are so blessed to have these two beautiful Grandsons to love....

thanks be to God, the giver of life!

xoxo

Joyce



Just a quick post.....really?

I have been absent from this blog for several weeks and I'm trying to figure out how

 it is suddenly November 15th???????

First there were the craft shows.....

This year I added cake pedestals...large and small...vintage and new...

...and glass bowls and vases...

and my journals (this is a sampling)...

 there were some altered canvases made with vintage sheet music and images...

and of course banners and garlands...

Here's me with my Prednisone cheeks...oh my.

 I did say a quick post, right? LOL!

I will be back with another post soon....I have some exciting news and more photos!!

I will be trying to catch up with all of you this week. We are expecting

nine (9!!) house guests over the next 2 weeks....so much to do to get ready!

for now...

xoxo

Joyce