Wandering down memory lane.......

I made this pillowcase in the late '80's. Last week I found it in the bottom of some things packed away. I haven't been able to find its mate yet but every time I look at it on the bed it reminds me of all the crafts I have made over the years. Many of them are gone - some worn out, some lost to a hurricane or other minor disasters in my life.

The pillowcase also makes me think of my grandmother. The very first creative craft I did was embroidery. Yes I made crafty items at school and Vacation Bible School but those were done with items from kits and made exactly as directed by teachers and counselors. (I was a very obedient child :)

When I saw my grandmother embroidering pillowcases, I fell in love. I had to know how to do some for myself. She taught me a few stitches and gave me a couple of skeins of embroidery yarn and needles. At home it was all plain white pillowcases so I had an endless palette. I drew my name and initials in the fanciest script I could manage and chain stitched around them. As I got braver I learned French knots and started designing and doing flowers. The added bonus was I could do them in colors I liked. The late 60's was overtaken by yellow, avocado green and day glo orange. I hated all of them. I could make pretty stuff in my blues or greens and maybe even add a splash of pinks.

They have all fallen apart now. Back in the eighties they started coming out of the laundry in shreds. I decided it was time to make some more. In the early 80's I had become hooked on Xstitch so I bought some pre-stamped kits and planned to make them all up. I finished the set in the pic but the rest got stuffed away in my "round tuit" box. I need to do some digging but I am sure they are still here in that room full of craft goodies.

Silly, isn't it. How something so simple can bring back so many memories and also inspire. Now I suddenly find myself with a craving to create again. I look around and I have nothing of my own anymore. Nothing in this house except a couple of xstitch pics and that pillowcase proclaim that I live here. I suddenly feel a need to create some pillows, chair covers, pillowcases and more. I'd say it is time to get back to crafting:)

10 Little Things That Lead to a Happier, Healthier You

My friend Leslie has written a great and thought provoking list on her blog. Check it out:)
http://addictedtoscrapbooking.blogspot.com/2010/05/10-little-things-that-lead-to-happier.html

While you are there check out the other listings. There is a great recipe for Pizza Muffin Cups. She is the mom of four and her kids scarfed them up. She is just getting started but keep checking back, she always has the best ideas for recipes, raising the kids and where to find the best bargains.

Her list made me think about myself a bit. I am still dragging with the winter blahs. To be honest it all started last August with 2 months of nonstop rain that led to even my clean clothes in the closet being covered in mold. I tried to get into the senior living place in town but was turned down for now. I have to get paperwork proving the mobile home I turned over to my son was really repossessed and I don't have any equity in it. I may try to resolve all that this summer and try again next winter. I am not sure I can take another winter of $200 plus heating bills.

We have had a few weeks of off and on nice weather. Then it will turn freezing again and frost everything plus lots of rain. I have managed to catch up most of the laundry except for the sheets. I think all the winter stuff is done and just waiting to be sealed in the space bags.

Now I need to get off my butt and put the Oasis back - my old glider and an umbrella that I trot out to every morning. I love to go out and sit. I have a bag with the latest book I am reading, my "through the Bible in a year" Bible, a notepad and pen. I usually toss in the latest mail and paper plus a bottle or two of cold water and some sort of snack (fruit, yogurt, granola bar).

The dogs join me at the Oasis. It is hard for me to walk them but I drag them out there with me. They forage around for a bit then curl up under the umbrella with me to nap or gnaw on a treat. They are simply happy to be anywhere I am. It is so simple and gratifying.

I start out each visit to the Oasis by doing my Bible study and having my morning prayers. This relaxes me and makes everything seem right with the world. I always start with Joel Osteen's favorite quote from the Psalms: This the day the Lord hath made and I will rejoice in it. I keep saying I am going to put that in Xstitch and hang it where I can see it when I open my eyes each morning LOL. It is always my morning mantra reminding that God has blessed me with another day and it is my duty to find out what he wants me to do with it.

After that I snack, sit and stare at nature, read, do a Sudoku or just zone out. It doesn't matter but I spend an hour to two hours out there and it just seems to make the day go so much better. I don't sleep well so I sometimes think I need this refreshing to make up for it. If I go to bed at 11pm I will be up at 2-3am and unable to go back to sleep until about 8am. I can never sleep for more than 2-4 hours at a time so I am usually feeling tired. However my visits to the Oasis seem to invigorate me and give me the strength to get a little bit of housework done.

OK company this weekend and rain over the next few days but I will definitely be getting out to put the Oasis back together by the end of the week.

Hugs,
Linda B in TN:)