What an adventure it has been...It's now time to begin another!

2010

Have 10 years really gone by since Y2K? Looking back over these last 10 years many milestones have taken place along with many heartaches. To begin fresh one must look back and remember all one has been through. These are just a few I remember:

Divorce from my husband Scott

Death of my Dad, Aunt Katie, Uncle George, Cousin Mike, Cousin Tyler, Aunt Erma, many friends and acquaintances.

Car Accident

Graduation from High School and WSU son Nick

Graduation from High School and off to college son Alex

Starting of School and becoming a teenager daughter Lizzie

Disneyland

Alaska

Hawaii

Beach several times

New dog Jack

Ability to stay in home

Return of closeness with my brothers

Change in family dynamics!

Health - good

Menopause- Yea!

Having the spirit of God in my life and knowing daily it is up to him!

POP! Imaginary Champagne

Cheers to a New Year and New Decade and many new adventures that I am just waiting to explore!

Run/jog a 10K or half marathon

Learn to knit

go to Italy

See all the kids graduate (college and high school)

Spend more time with my family and people that make me happy

Fall in LOVE again!

Now that is a bit of a list but I think we all need something to look forward too!

Happy New Year....

Warmly,

~Helen~

A time for quiet peace........

While going for a walk today to clear my head of business at hand, I had a thought of why we celebrate Christmas. With the popcorn balls made, peanut butter kiss cookies done, presents bought, needy family items all in place, I still feel a bit overwhelmed and taxed with little time to do so much. I wonder if I am the only one who feels so tired and generally a little down and out this time of year. Do I have I have what it takes to be a good Christian or have I too forgot the reason for our Christmas Season. Back to my walk... I have decided by maintaining my helping nature and keeping myself in good health are part of the season of Christmas spirit. While I have hopes of completing a half marathon this year, figuring out what to do with my house and the possibility of dating. I would say my Christmas is off to be merry! Here's wishing you and yours God Bless and Happy New Year.
Warmly,
Helen

Dedicated to "JULIE"

Have you ever told yourself...I can do more? While doing Boot Camp yesterday morning with one of my workout hero's Karin Kupp of "Dare 2 Move Fitness" in Yakima, I pondered am I really being all I can be? With those thoughts I had a great conversation with my dear friend Julie. You see I have known Julie for at least 35 years and she has always been one of those friends, I have that points out qualities and challenges that I should know or can do for myself. It's been 3 years since my divorce and I am ready to challenge myself to new heights. Julie pointed out while I said I would like to try a 5 k run..."Helen...you could do a half marathon if you wanted to easily". I never really thought about it till she said YES YOU CAN. Funny how it takes just one person to believe in you to help you make a change. So with that said my first 1/2 marathon next year will be dedicated to my friend"JULIE". I guess it's time to get started...
Warmly,
~Helen~

A little time to be creative

With a little extra time on my hands Saturday evening after watching the WSU COUGS getting horribly beat it was time for a little creativity. Earlier this summer at Leslee Mobley's "American Primitive Show" one of the best to go to I might add, I found this piece of simple driftwood with the word "PARIS" stenciled. It cost a me $18.00 but I bought it with the idea...I could make those. While up at my dear friends Debbie and Rick's house in Chelan there are several of these soft wood pieces by the shore. I picked out several this summer but never had the time to just sit and take care of the idea I had. SO... last night I made my first attempt with French sayings and one Dream one for my daughter to be displayed outside in the spring or on a covered porch right now. I guess I might even give them out to friends whose passion for the house and yard are just like mine. So where has your creative spirit taken you lately?

PS: I also bought a sewing machine yesterday....

Warmly,

Helen

A day of Thanks....My blessings!

My daughter...Lizzie


My son Alex.....(with Shaun Alexander: Seattle Seahawks)


My Son Nick (5 years ago...the "A" at WSU)

The joy of appreciating the little things always manages to take my breath away...Thankful for all of the blessings that I have. Cheers to a day of giving thanks and praise to what the good lord has given us! Now for the last go over of the holiday bargains in the newspaper before I do a little Christmas shopping!

Have a cute day,,,,

While cruising one of my favorite blogs : www.shabbyapple.com (Shabby Apple) I found a new site "Have a Cute Day" by two sisters. Knowing the fact I love to see people happy it was really fun to see all different sizes and women challenging themselves to look swell. I know...it is so easy to pull on those favorite sweats and attack the day...but maybe just today I'm going to have a cute day!


PS the clothes at Shabby Apple are wonderful and reasonable priced!

Warmly,

Helen

Back to those extra SAND DOLLARS $$$$$

Staying in the house today while the cool wind blew, I thought about my favorite place in the whole world: CANNON BEACH. This is a place I go to sooth my soul and to clear my mind. This summer my daughter Lizzie and I went for a week. My dear friend Julie met us there so we enjoyed the sun,sand,surf, and of course a minus tide that makes for many sand dollars. I brought them home and set them in the sunshine...sure enough they turned bright white. I've had a terrible time with my old bird bath leaking and caulking it with cement fixer for the last 2 summers. While looking at the sand dollars I had a novice idea and thought they would look great filling my bird bath. Lizzie and I found over 26 on the last morning of our trip. With that said "TA-DA" to a birdbath filled with sand dollars.
Warmly,
Helen....

Winter came early...

While driving to Ronald, Washington...very near Cle Elm I was actually surprised what was on the horizon....Snow. Not just a few blustery flakes but what we actually call a snow storm. Up at the house where we were to have a mid-year Junior League retreat 6-8 inches welcomed our path as we arrived Friday evening at 7:30 pm. It was so beautiful and with my trusty Tribeca Subaru I felt like a adventure was at hand. The snow was very easy to drive in and beautiful to look at. It is just a matter of days before my kids and I hit the slope at White Pass for a day of sno-boarding and sno-shoeing. Also it is a tremendous workout that might help out with my continuing weight reduction. My dear friend Julie keeps the motivation strong and also gives me encouragement for days that need a little boost...thank you Jules. Tomorrow an idea for those left over sand dollars that summers beaches allowed to follow you home. Cheers to the beautiful winter snow!

Warmly,

Helen

Fall Foliage...gone beautiful!

How can you not have a wonderful day when peeking outside? If you are like me, I have really enjoyed the beautiful colors that this fall season has afforded us. To make a twinkling pumpkin... I just sprayed the top with spray adhesive and added glitter. White pumpkins work great but for that holiday table you can always use green,white or orangepumpkins or gourds are mighty good to use too. If you do not like the natural color just spray paint it your favorite choice. The pumpkin by the bike was even rained upon...Enjoy.

Adieu,

Helen

"FRUGALITY" Frolic

With a wind up early Saturday morning my daughter Lizzie and I started out for a weekly adventure...First stop was the French Hen for a Christmas open house...Wonderful home furnishings and lovely perfume and scents!

Next was one of my glory stops "The Lighthouse Thrift Store". This lovely 12" plastic mirror a 1960's house accent was a mere $4.50, somehow it found it's way into the laundry room for that last minute check myself out the door look. Along with it I picked up 2 vintage silver plates $3.50 total for Christmas cookies that will be delivered to dear neighborhood friends. I was asked by my darling daughter Lizzie to go to American Eagle to look for things for her birthday...little did I know I might something for myself! Imagine this darling navy wool vest with a long sleeved white blouse slightly rolled up sleeves with the scarf tied up and red lipstick ...now I'm off for a meeting or to share a cup of java with good friends. The vest was $19.50 - 30% and the scarf was $4.50. The darling creme colored pearled tank with glitz would be great for the upcoming Bon Jovi concert with a black blazer and vintage rhinestone earrings. So with that said we had a marvelous time just being together and of course enjoying Frugality!

Warmly,

Helen

A whimsical outlook...

FINALLY....I have been imagining a day when I could move into the blog-sphere and transfer my many thoughts and idea's into a arena that would open a door to the the life I should be living! With that thought "Welcome".....

Warmly....Helen