Monday, January 7, 2013

A Calm Life




I do declare that it has taken me this long to recover from the holidays - and they weren't even that busy.
The Grinch came and stole up Christmas on Dec. 29th.
I had it all neatly stowed in the attic on that day.
I'm all about New Year's Day.
It's one of my favorite holidays - if you can call it a holiday - it's a fresh start - it's a new beginning - a year with no mistakes in it -
yet.

I love January.
The holidays are over - it's a month to pause - yet to renew commitments - it's a month to ponder - yet get busy.  It's a month to take a good long hard look at your life and change what needs to be changed.
It's also my birthday month - but that's neither here nor there.
: -)

I'm also finally going through real and true empty nest syndrome now.
When Aaron originally left - I had the holidays to occupy me - now?
Hmm.

He's doing terrific and texts me everyday photos like this:


Are these not the cutest kids ever?
I'm sure that is milk they are drinking.
I'm just sure of it.


I'm on a big time sewing kick - as in Icantgetenoughnotions.
I swoon over new pins, and bobbins.
I bristle with excitement with my JoAnn fabric coupons and more ideas than I know what to do with.
I just flew through another rag quilt.  I wish that I would have backed this one with the brown, and then the fringe would have popped more...live and learn...live and learn.

I'm planning on having a Spring Open house here in March - selling some of my glitter sculptures and whatever else comes off my table.

(I know what you are saying - 'she's taking pictures with her phone again, isn't she?'  Why - yes, yes, I am - but at least I've enhanced them a little for your viewing pleasure!)


I finally hitched the buggy up and went to town to the new fangled 'libary'.  Oh it's a beauty - three floors - an Internet cafe and piles and piles of books.
I got a couple of audio books so that I can listen while I sew.


I've been a thrifting fool - and these dishes have me up in here so happy I can't bear it.
I'm all about the saucer now - in fact - I hereby declare it uncouth to drink a hot beverage in a cup without one.

My house absolutely cannot contain one more dish.


How perfect is this tea set for my vintage camper 'The Squirrel'?
It's not out of focus - it's just so dreamy that you can't get an in focus photo of it.
True story.


I've been enjoying my luxurious Ugg slippers that were gifted to me by a dear friend.  I feel rich and famous padding around the old farmhouse in them.  I have to be careful not to wear them out feeding the chickens.
Evenings find me and Glenco bundled on the couch watching Netflix of previous seasons of shows like 'Deadwood', 'Dexter' and 'Spartacus'.
Blood, guts, murder and a lot of swearing.
Gracious.

We temper all of that with our beloved Downton Abbey.


Is Bates really innocent?
I'll say no more.

I've continued my big Declutter 2013 project and have a large box sitting by the back door as I type this - going out tomorrow.

I'm resurrecting the Pink Chicken - remember her?

I even decluttered the pantry today and gave this food away on Craig's List.
Is that gross?


This was all leftover holiday food that I don't want in the house.  I just couldn't bear throwing it away.
The can of biscuits burst in the bag before it was picked up.  Scared the daylights out of me.

So that's what I've been up to - 
got all of my seeds ordered for the garden this year - cleaning the oven as I type this - it feels really good to be getting on top of things around here.

I'm enjoying this new life - even though my heart still aches for the BoyChild daily.  It's odd to have an uninterrupted thought - or a day to myself.

Life is lovely right now - and that's OK.
I say 'poopoo' to busyness and running all over tarnation.

I love home.


What about you?  What do you like or dislike about January?
What shows are you watching?



29 comments:

  1. Hi Jayne--I am a reader--but not sure if I have left a comment before!! I like your food picture and what you did with it--as I seem to be always buying 'stuff' thinking I will cook it or do some baking--yet--me no do!!! but I have girl friend with a large family and so I just bag it all up and give it to her and she passes it out or she cooks it up!!!
    I declutter all the time--
    yet--I still feel I have too much--
    and I am always doing a project of knitting, quilting, counted cross stitch==on and on--
    keep busy--that is the good part of life--can't wait to see what you are going to plant in your garden this year!!!????
    Hugs, Di and kitty

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  2. Yes a new year to mull over and figure out a path. I love new beginnings. Aaron looks as happy as any teenager could be and so glad to hear he's doing well. I can only imagine the empty nest feeling, don't have children so I can't know for sure, just imagine.
    I just got a new sewing machine from Santa so I too will be getting my sewing kick on. Yeah. I am such a novice so any quilting will be done eons from now.
    Great little tea set and I do think it fits the Squirrel perfectly.
    Okay, Downton Abbey. I am as hooked on that as a soul can get. I drank up the whole two hours last night. Good question about Bates. I want to think no he didn't but well, that's when you find out he did off his wife.
    Anywho good to hear you are in good spirits, and I agree, "it is okay to be happy with a calm life.

    Donna

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  3. I am so happy to see a post from you here tonight. I always feel like I am visiting an old friend...and wishing I could really sit and sip a cuppa coffee with you.

    I am glued to Downton Abbey and I have been re-watching my old Columbo movies again. I am not much for regular TV but do like The Mentalist.

    I hope you have a wonderful night and that your life stays calm...and that the calmness wraps your soul- xo Diana

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  4. I finally!! FINALLY!!! sat down at the same time Downtown Abby was on last night.. and JEEZ! I fell asleep five minutes in!!! I have wanted to catch the show because of all the rave reviews... Ah well, I suppose there will be reruns. *sigh*

    I love a calm life. Amen thank you powers that be for a calm life. I've had it the other way too, no thanks.

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  5. i love, love, loved Downton Abbey. so great. wish i could have lived then. awesome times. outfits. & cars. jewels. all decor was taken down asap after the holidays. i like cleaning up after all it is over. makes me feel happy & clean. i don't think it is gross to sell things ... if they are unopened & all good ... what is the big deal??!! you go girl. ha. ha!! ( :

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  6. I have never seen Downton Abbey! I seem to be missing something since much of blog land is talking about it. I've missed your posts!
    Blessings,
    Lorilee

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  7. I think we are living a parallel life...almost everything you are doing, I am doing too! Freaking me out! Only, I didn't clean out the pantry and give it away on Craigs List...but not a bad idea.
    Now, if I could only find free viewing of Season 2 of Downton Abbey! And with the shows you are watching, might I suggest Shameless...it is exactly that. Cheers and Happy New Year!

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  8. I'm with you...January is a chance to start all over again.....a time to ponder, and a time to get moving....I love January, I just wish it wasn't quite so freaking cold.

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  9. Jayme, Love your blog. Love your zest for life. Turning 50 in April and the changes you have made in inspire me. So glad you're back to blogging a bit more regularly. Love Downton Abbey and I hate to admit this, but I'm looking forward to watching The Bachelor tonight. Hard day at work.......

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  10. Sounds good to me. I love calm though with four daughters in the house that is relative but it is what I strive for anyway. Happy new year!

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  11. I am really the most January by really reflecting on what I would like to change in my life routine so that my husband and I are enjoying it vs working ourselves to death. Doesn't January feel like a breather! My daughter was just telling me I need to get on the DWTN Abbey wagon. So I maybe looking for the DVDs to watch this year. The Folowing with Kevin Bacon looks like an interesting series on Fox. Great idea with the donations, less waste.

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  12. Can you sell some o' your calm up on the Craigslist??

    Only you, Jaymse. Only YOU.

    I miss thee. But you already knew that.

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  13. if bates did it i may just be one of those freaks that screams at their tv...only not during a football game. felt the same when matthew almost died.


    i've been walking everyday in jan. yay me! pathetic, yes, but it's a start.


    i too say poopoo to busyness. i think i am rare for a 32 yr old mom of 4. my kids will not benefit from the yanking of one activity to the next. love ya. glad you're back...

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  14. I'm going full steam ahead too! Love this time of year because I get "days off," the weather is bad and I get stuck at home... my favorite place to be! I keep loading up the car with things for Goodwill, today I'm taking purses from 2 closets in to a consignment store. I think I might actually make some money on these! Yesterday I cleaned out the kitchen junk drawers, you just wouldn't believe the amount of twist ties, cell phones and chargers and unidentifyable stuff that was in there! I threw away the true junk and re-filed the good stuff. I feel empowered, I think you're right... this may be the best month of the year!

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  15. Oh, my! I was complaining the other day to my husband that the next 2 months are going to be overwhelming with the kids' schedules...4-H, games, church...he said that in 4 months it will never be like that again...son graduates and heads toward college. I am trying to relish the insanity now. Calm will be my new normal, I suppose.
    Oh...and I am jealous of your library!

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  16. Glad to see/hear about your comings and goings! My OCD is in high gear right now. All closets cleaned out and donations made.
    Hoping you give us all a chance to buy your goodies through Etsy too.
    No special TV veiwing here.
    Roller coaster ride with chemo on hubby. Calm sounds wonderful, I can't imagine at this point. But it could always be worse!
    Hugs to you my friend!!

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  17. What's with no snow in January in Northwest Indiana? I'm not complaining but boy it makes me worry about what's going to dump on us before winters over! January is time for Cougar Town! Hubby and I just love this struggling show, it's awesome :)

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  18. Happy new year, dear lady! Calm is fabulous. I try for it every. single. day. Doesn't always happen, but I try. As for beloved Downtown Abbey ... I think Bates could have done it, but I don't think he did. He's a good man in a frustrated soldier's body. I think it was ... MOSELY!

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  19. Happy Happy New Year, Jayme! I loved catching up with you. Hmmm...is Bates innocent? I'm not sure. I sure want him to be.

    Have a great Tuesday.

    Jackie

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  20. I hear you about recovering from Christmas. I think my life is so calm most of the time I always have to "decompress" after being around so much activity. January is one of my favorite times of the year too....the relative calm, a clean house and the promise of the new year. Love it!! I too have a dish fetish. ;) The tea set is too cute. :) I've been watching all the football games, college basketball and golf. ;) I don't think you are interested. =P I did watch Market Warriors last night though because the football game went south. ;)

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  21. Goodness your posts crack me up! I love the "dreamy" tea set. So funny.

    I love dishes, too. I have way too many for a family of 4 (and one of them too little to use breakables yet!) ;)

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  22. DOWNTON ABBEY~!! What on EARTH were they thinking with that potato sack wedding dress... and could we just have gotten a glimpse of the actual wedding?? My husband and I looked at each other and said, "That's it? Are they married? Did we miss something? What do you MEAN they are already back from a month in the South of France??!" That part was a bummer. But we love Downton Abbey and thought Shirley Maclaine (or however you spell her name) was a hoot.

    THAT QUILT... How do you make those cutie patootie fringes between squares?

    ~Kate

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  23. So good to "read" you again... ;)

    Love January. Love winter. Love sewing and I have notions that I love just as much. :)

    I think I need to "pin" that first photo. So calm... love it!

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  24. Good to hear from you! And Happy Birthday early...and then we'll be the same age again until Nov.

    I've been wanting to make one of those rag quilts myself...watched the "how to" videos on youtube. I think I spend too much time on pinterest...so many ideas I don't know where to start! Your quilt looks great, btw.

    I thought we had so much in common until I saw your movie list! My hubby loves those shows/movies. I'm more the romantic comedy kind of gal. But I also love watching homesteading movies (Alone in the Wilderness if my favorite), and reruns of The Waltons. And I also can spend hours on Youtube watching short clips (example...anything by theMrsVolfie..a homesteader who tapes random things)

    I look forward to January but only because spring is on the way! We are expecting the 70s in NC this w/e...a little unusual, but I'll take it! I love sun/warmth!

    I think of you every night as I apply my Spring Chicken serum :)

    PS..."TheBoy" looks like he is having a great time (and yes, I do believe that is milk!...and it looks like the gal on the right has her hair in a blue bowl??) I know you miss him.

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  25. Since the Boy and friends were eating Mexican, maybe it was horchata in the pitcher. Yum. Delicious stuff.

    So enjoyed Downton Abbey on Sunday night.

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  26. Love your enthusiasm and optimism. I need to get me some of that.
    Happy New Year.

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  27. I hear ya sistah , I hear ya!
    Happy new year!
    Sharon

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  28. Just found you and am delighted to have done so!! I am in the very southwest corner of Indiana and have like interests and aspirations!! I invite you to visit me on my blog, thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com Perhaps to become blogger buddies!! Happy and Calm New Year to you too.

    Diane

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  29. Jayme, (Can you tell I'm catching up?) I love January for: Chili. Candles. Fires. Warm socks and cuddly blankets. Something about all of it is so romantic. I mean, no one is sweating. Unless they get too close to the fire.
    xo, Cheryl

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