And So There Remains

When weeding ones home, some things leave, and in my case a whole lot of some things, then other things remain. Below are just a few things that remain in my cottage.



Actually the dollhouse may be going at some point in time. I don't think its suiting Hitty and her friends very well. For them its more the size of a playhouse!

A few little decorative plates I favor.

This is the one that reminds me of Tasha Tudor's work.

Lovely

These handwork pieces were stitched by a blogging friend.  I've always loved them.

Same dear friend worked this sweet little pillow.

The ME plaque from a "constant" long time friend of mine!

Thats not all I kept, believe me my weeding isn't done yet ;)

I've spent my time today, crocheting, listening to praise and worship music, while cooking a pot roast on the stove. Its been quite comforting. Are you all busy getting ready for Thanksgiving?  I'm not even sure where my family will be spending our Thanksgiving Day yet. Maybe my eldest sons home or maybe my parents.  Either way, I'm sure it'll be a great day. We have much to be thankful for.

Blessings friends

Little Birdie Blessings

Homemaking

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I've been here before, talking about my decor style. I've tried this and I've tried that. If you have been following me for at least a few years  then you know how I change back and forth.  So, with all that being said ......I have once again changed my mind of style for my home. The retro wasn't working for me!  Did not even feel like home to me much at all. I've done away with it, all of it. My decorating style is and hopefully will continue to be just simply my style........Simply Shelley Style!

Simple,quaint, plain, cozy, comfy! Which is just how Miss Suzy preferred her own home. I loved this story as a child, still do ;)

She is such a good homemaker.

Blessings friends

Whatever..........

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That reads contentment to me!

I sent a lot of stuff out the door of my little mobile home/cottage today. Even two large pieces of furniture.  This chest below is going to my daughter's home.

mi

And this vanity as well.

Not to mention all the other stuff that left. I am almost down to those last four dolls. Some persons are getting quite concerned about my giving up so much, but really I'm not having any regrets . One friend even thought something serious must be wrong with me. Did you ever feel you needed to do something and couldn't really explain why?  All I know is , I just feel the need to weed, and at this time.....it just feels right to me. I believe somewhere down the road I'll see there was a good reasoning for my years of weeding. I'll look back and think,....This was the reason for my letting go, and , "letting go" has been a big thing for me this year, in more ways than one. If you remember ......I shared with you all about my divorce from my husband after almost 40 years of marriage.  I have been weeding some things materially and emotionally .

I guess in some ways it could all tie in together. I'm not trying to figure it all out really...just following how I'm seeming to be led.  I know the one I follow won't lead me astray. I'm trusting him 100 percent. 

I am content. Maybe more so than ever!

Blessings my friends

Decisions Decisions

Remember ,I said I was going to choose four dolls to keep? Well, that decision is turning out to be a bit difficult for me.  As far as choosing who stays and who goes, but I'm determined. I will do this!

 Eenie, meenie, miney, mo

Oh dear me!

 Such hard choices......

Still some just gotta go........

To be continued.......blessings my friends

Learning Contentment

Ladies, yes its true........I have yet unloaded another truckload of stuff from my home. I've been putting together some things for awhile for the antique shop Lady to come by and look at. She has a full time job, plus the shop and has been sick too so she hasn't been able to get by here. Needless to say my pile was getting bigger and bigger.  She finally got to stop by after work yesterday evening.  Of course she like it all and took everything with her. She and I have the same taste in stuff :) her words! My grandson helped her load it and she was on her way, happy as a lark, and I  have another $100.00 credit at her shop. This situation is working out fine for us both, as she said she hasn't had any extra time to go out looking to buy things to restock her shop with, and I am happy to unload some wares on her! Things are paring down nicely here in my cottage and making me feel much more comfortable.  Am I done yet, no....not at all. One day, maybe ;)

Lilly seems to be content in whatever place I am. All she needs from life is food, water, the outdoors and someone to love her. I think we can learn much from our pets on what it truly means to live contented in this life. They don't require much at all,  they're so forgiving, and they give without asking much in return. Lesson learned.

Blessings to you all...... Shelley

Pulling Weeds

From Pinterest

 Results of my last weeding session. Its not out of the house yet,but soon. If you are needing or wanting some advice as to what you should start with when weeding in your own home.....here is a good link from HGTV.
Oh,I did pull that globe out of the pile. Kinda like the colors in it! Since I'm doing a bit of retro in my cottage!

Cute cookie jars,but I just don't need them anymore. I need the space more. That elephant cookie jar made my friend Heidi very happy to be taking it home with her  :)

I cleaned my dresser in the bedroom Tuesday. It was looking like a " catch all " . I can't believe how much more relaxed it made me feel to have a clean organized space there. Don't know if these are normal feelings are some kind of feelings of anxiety being expressed, all I know is, it makes me feel better to clean a cluttered space in my home, and to weed what is not needed or wanted any longer.
Blessings on your week dear friends

Click here to visit my Pinterest board , Weeding my Home.

Jalyn's Sleep Over........

My ten year old gran, Jalyn came home with me from church last night for a sleep over.  She brought her American Girl doll , Isabel with her. We took pictures of her doll, and mine which is a Gotz doll. Her American girl doll is a few inches bigger than my Gotz doll. We watched a movie together then talked way into the night. She got up this morning and cooked my breakfast.  She is quite the little homemaker.  I am always blessed with her company.

Her doll and mine. 

Speaking of dolls, I am a hopeless dolly mama. I found an old abused baby at a junk shop and could not resist rescuing her. Not only that , but I also rescued a Raggedy Ann over the weekend as well.  It's a very good thing I've done much weeding in my cottage as of late :) I can now afford the room for a few abandoned dolly children.

Here she is after a much needed scrubbing, and I mean a bleach clean scrubbing.  She has some permanent scaring to her from years of abuse.  Bruising, deep scars, some lost eye lashes, and she is even missing four fingers from one of her hands........poor, poor baby, but she's already looking much happier.  She's two feet tall, a big baby girl. I'm going to find some cute clothes for her and then she will be a whole new doll baby.

Blessings on your week my friends

Dollhouse

The other thing I said I was going to show you all is a doll house. Yes, just another  part of my swap adventures with Miss Shop Lady :)  I thought long and hard about choosing this particular doll house because it's not just like the one I imagined I wanted.  Its a tin made and judging by the decorative colors and look on the inside I am thinking its one of the more early, maybe 1950's styles.  I wanted this doll house for my Hitty Jane and her friends.  I haven't brought it home yet, so I'm not sure how it's going to suit them. They may appear like giants in this house :) Of course, all is forgiving in the world of dolls and make believe, right?  Speaking of dolls, I am limiting myself to a small number of dolls I'm keeping. I weeded so many and I'm left with no more than ten at this time, but I will weed once again and lower this number as well.

My Hitty Jane

Remember when I showed you this picture and mentioned this was what was left of my Raggedy collection, but not to hold me to this amount because I may weed through then again? Well, I did! Keeping only about six.

I have given up so many small items, in exchange for a few bigger items. Things that won't need to be stored away, but left out to enjoy and use. I am happy with my choice, and believe it's the right choice for me and my little cottage.

I will share that Dollhouse in a later post........blessings friends

Continues

I spent half of the day sorting through paper collections from over the years yesterday.  Birthday cards, tax paperwork , letters, mementos from all occasions.  Some were tossed out, some were set aside for my children.  I also went through a storage box I had stored under my bed, filled with miscellaneous items.  More things set aside for my new friend the shop owner.  Then I sorted through another midsize storage box of loose photos, tossed some of those as well. Others, I gave to my daughter. Cleaned out the drawers in my dresser, yes, all that took me at least half of the day. The work bought about a feeling of accomplishment for my spirit, but was my body exhausted!  Next job, sorting through my linens.

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More weeding, for a good cause

I'm here, all is well. I have just been busy around my home , gathering stuff for the youth at church. They are having a sale tomorrow trying to raise money for camp.  I made a rather large donation and it felt good to be weeding my home.  I even got rid of more stuff by making a trade with the lady from the newly opened antique shop in town.  I am getting a table for my living room, a quilt and some store credit to boot! My new friend, the shop owner was thrilled with her part of the swap as well. I loaded her up  :)  One day I may be done with this weeding process, but then it may just become an on going thing for me. Guess time will tell.

I have no picture to post as I am having trouble trying to do so. Is anyone else ? I do want to wish you all a blessed weekend.  I'll be back soon.

Let Us Love...............

I am feeling much better today....so much so,that while my daughter was here doing some housekeeping for me, I sorted through all the drawers in this chest,weeded some things from them, and then organized them. I finely got the Valentine decorations out and put together this vignette.  The little Boyd's Bear and the Pooh I purchased from Hospice last week... .25 for Pooh and .50 cents for the Boyd's Bear.

I crocheted the heart garland and the loose yarn hearts as well... last year.

The little blue lamb and the pink butterfly were my children's when they were babies.

Made for a pretty cute vignette,don't you think?

The bulbs are coming up nicely.

Thank you for all your sweet comments on yesterdays post. I had a wonderful talk with my Lord....he cheered my heart right up....he is so good like that!  Always
Blessings to you all........Shelley

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7-8

Weeding....chit...chat

Dolls on my bed....Bethy, and Chatty Baby!

 I weeded through my bookshelf's and have a whole box leaving my home. Plus,some knick knacks, a set of Easter bunnies,a Christmas wreath and some other items,which I have already forgotten, have been donated to our local charity shop "We Care Too ".
Back in the first of December, I sold some of my dolls on ebay through a friend,and she has some others she will put in her booth at the antique mall. I gave my vintage Tiny Tears to my friend Betty as a Christmas present. She had one just like her as a child, and I knew she would love having my doll.

Tiny Tears

 My plan is to only keep a few of my larger dolls, also a few smaller ones, my Hitty doll and a couple of her companions! :)  I have been gathering some tiny things for Hitty Jane ,in hopes of having her a doll house one day. I am trying to convince my eldest son to build me a plain four room doll house. I think I may have him close now,to being convinced that is :)

Hitty Jane

I heard a comment recently if something is packed away,stored out of sight,not being used or appreciated,then essentially it has already been discarded. I thought about that and in my reasoning,its seems to be a correct statement. I wouldn't say so, as far as seasonal things,in the way of holiday decorations,nor would I put keepsake items in with that category,because in my thinking ,those things are retrieved from time to time for their purpose. Does that make any sense to you at all? What I do have in my possession, I would like to have out in the open so that it is being used or at least appreciated by sight of it. So with all that being said , my "weeding " process will continue until I reach my goal,and will begin again at some point afterwards, if I feel my home becoming to cluttered once again. I am happy to say...I have just about reached the point of not having any excess storage in or outside of my home. I only have a few more storage boxes to weed through. Realizing that feels pretty good too!  I am still looking for that "Remembrance Chest" to store my keepsakes in. The one I made mention of  in this post! It won't need to be big...middle size will work just fine! OK, I think I have taken enough of your time with my thoughts of weeding! Thanks so much for all of your prayers regarding my previous post...there are going to be hard days ahead for certain loved ones,but they are trusting the Good Lord and he won't let them down. Blessings to each and everyone of you.....Shelley

A Day in my Life

Most of my days are ordinary,nothing to much out of the normal. I don't try to follow some schedule,nor do I keep a housekeepers manual,are anything similar to that,but I do seem to have a bit of a routine in my day...that goes as such. When I first wake up,I do what most people do....I pay a visit to the bathroom and take care of all the necessities in there..I don't think I need to mentioned all those things....we all know what the bathroom is for,washing,toiletries and such...right? Hope I made you smile here,that was my intention  :) Anyhow...to get on with my day...I then go back to my bedroom,sit on the side of my bed,brush my hair,take my meds,make sure I have something warm on my feet (in the colder months),as my home is so cold in the winter. I am being honest here,rarely do I dress! If I am not leaving the house for the day...I tend to stay in my nightclothes! The only visitors I have in the day are mostly my kiddos are close friends. They don't mind me being in my granny nightgown,or one of my very worn house dresses...hope that got another smile from you. I sometimes have my devotional, bible reading,and prayer before I even get out of bed,if not I will do it at this time.

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These house slippers were knitted by a blogging friend Twyla,  here....this red pair has since worn out! I am wearing a second pink pair now. They are wonderful for keeping your feet warm and cosy in the winter months!

It takes me a bit of time in the morning to get to going...lots of snap,cackle and pops,and I am not talking cereal here :) Its the old arthritis,along with another list of other ailments...that I won't be listing! The first chore I try and tackle is feeding,and watering my animal friends. Jessie,the two kitties,and our newcomer, Snowie, the Chihuahua. I leave the job of filling the bird feeders as needed for my neighbor daughter,whom also does the bulk of my housekeeping two days a week. (Big blessing there) I make myself a cup of coffee or two in the morning,but I am terrible about not eating something until around noon or later. This is one thing I hope to make a change for the better with, eating a good healthy breakfast! I like getting on line while I am having my coffee and doing what I do on here. My blog...your blogs...facebook...pinterest, checking emails, reading some news,weather,etc. I admit...I spend a lot of time on line. I am working on that area as well! I do whatever other chores are needed to be done,the ones that I am able to do...which sometimes includes sorting and weeding through household and personal stuff! At this time... I am once again sorting and weeding through my book shelves. I am now having to take Snowie out several times a day to do her business. Which at first I thought was going to be a struggle for me,but now I am thinking it could be a good motivation for me to move a bit more than I normally do,which will be a good thing! I also read,crochet....take tea in the afternoon,and almost always have a nap about midday. I just get sleepy everyday about that time,and if I am home, I will take a nap! Some days I do laundry,not any specific day..just when its needed. My daughter does most of the folding and putting away. I can still take care of cleaning the toilet and sink in the bathroom ,while my daughter tackles the tub for me. She takes care of the sweeping,vacuuming and mopping as well. I sit in a chair at the sink to wash my dishes,my daughter drys them and puts them away. Some days ,she does the washing as well,depending on how I am feeling at the time!
I can't get out in the yard much anymore,but I do go out onto the porch,or off the porch just a bit now and again. I don't do much cooking anymore at all. With just myself living at home now, I normally pop something in the microwave oven to heat and eat,or open a can of soup,etc. I try and keep some fresh fruit and vegetables handy as well. But... if I know you are coming,I'll bake you a cake  :)

In the evenings I will feed the animals again,have some supper myself..maybe a hot cup of tea..either read or watch a movie on DVD,then its time for prayers and goodnight again. Most my days are slow paced and easy,but it wasn't always so...I have raised four children,have worked in and out of the home,did all those things we mothers do, taking kiddos here,there,and it seems like everywhere,school,doctor,and dental appointments,etc..etc.. ,but as you know children grow,things change,bodies get sick and weaker,and sometime people go away..and then it comes down to just you,or maybe you and a pet or two. Such is my case,but I do have many loved ones and friends that keep my life far from being lonely....I am content. When I am able I get out and about with my children or a friend...that is always a good time,and then there is always church on Sundays,and bible study on Wednesday evening. I consider myself very blessed and thank the Lord for my life...just as it is! Thank you for letting me share a little part of my life here ...with all of you. Blessings,Shelley

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalms 113:3

MORE ABOUT ME.....2014

I am making no resolutions in 2014,and really haven't ever in the past..seriously anyway  :)
However, there are some things I wish to do differently and some things I would like to change in my lifestyle,but mind you...they are not resolutions...just goals..I hope to accomplish! One such thing is something I have already been working toward for a couple of years now. Which is....Simplifying my home and life. You may think.....Wow...how much more simpler does she want to go?

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Here is a list of some of the things I have done in the past two years to simplify my life.

1. Weeding stuff from my home...lots of it over the past two years. I really wish I would have taken inventory,because I know it was a bunch.
2. I stopped watching all secular television in my home almost two years ago now. I do watch TV a bit when I am at my parents home,but what they watch is pretty much harmless  :)  This choice has been a wonderful decision on my part,and truly I felt led of the Holy Spirit to do so. It has made my home so much more serene,quiet and pleasant,not to mention all the trash that hasn't been allowed into my heart and mind.
3. THIS IS A BIGGIE....WORKING DAILY to change my thought patterns...seeing the "less as more" idea. Seeing good in the" not so good "situation. Trying to shed the feeling of dread,and embrace each day...One day at a time! Trusting God that nothing is going to happen to me or my family that God cannot handle....giving God total control,because he has ultimate control of everything...my worrying or complaining does no good whatsoever. Some things I have no control over...they can't be fixed by me....no matter how hard I try....in these situations the best I can do, is pray for God wills to be done. I am not responsible for any ones choices or sins,except my own. Trying to be content with how God chooses to bless me, being thankful for being blessed with the bare necessities in life....so many are not! I could go on and on here,but I won't  :)
4.Spending less money which means buying less stuff.
5. If I do make a purchase and bring something into my home...other stuff must soon leave!
6. If possible buying clothes,household needs,and other items secondhand....saving lots of $$.

That's just a few I am trying to follow,but I plan to add more this year.

My daughter Regina gifted me a book for Christmas...I started it this morning as it is in the form of a daily devotional. I am going to enjoy this book along with my bible every morning,and hope to gain insight from it. One goal to add....putting first things first....and God at the top! Not just some days,but everyday.

My youngest daughter Kathy,gave me a Barnes and Noble gift card and let me choose my own books. This one below I purchased ,and am half way through it already. I have shed some tears reading this one......

Does this picture below speak to you? If so,then just maybe there's a call for more simplicity in your life as well.....I intend to embrace my calling to live the simple life more fully in 2014.

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Blessings