Life is just too short not to -

I am quitting my job.

Not just quitting to quit - but quitting to have more family time.

I worked hard to get a 'title' at this job only to figure out that I didn't want what came along with the title. I love being around my people so much & I wasn't getting to do that anymore.

I am not one of those people that wants everything - I want to be comfortable. I want to be able to heat & cool my home, I want to be able to take a hot shower, I want to have fun with my kids, I want to snuggle with my honey. Those are the things I want.

Not having a 2009 vehicle doesn't bother me. I drive a '95 Ford Bronco - I love it - NO PAYMENTS! I just want that blissful feeling I get when I am hanging out with my people.

I will enjoy all of these things!

FAMILY!!

Well I finished the quilt I was working on - I am very pleased with the way it turned out.

It is made from flannel material - very cozy!

For the stitching on the squares I used a leaf stitch - something a little different.

I love the way the colors worked together - when

I picked the materials I didn't realize it matches my store bought quilt on

my bed perfectly.

But this is a Christmas gift for my Sister In Law.

Here is another Christmas gift that I made today.

My daughter loves the peace sign - when I was in the bead shop the other

day I couldn't resist this!

I think she too will love it.

This is a Christmas gift I made for my oldest daughter's step mother.

When my daughter met her dad I didn't expect the relationship I have gained with

her step mother. But it has been great getting to know

her & puts peace in my heart knowing who my daughter is with.

I truly feel blessed that I have this relationship with this woman & that she is

Sam's step mother.

My last thing to show today - My daughter's friend asked me to make

this necklace for her coach. She has twin daughters.

I let them kind of guide me in what they wanted with me

throwing ideas out for them as well.

I like the way we designed it.

I finished the quilt up last night & made all three jewelry pieces today
& it isn't even noon!!!

I have so enjoyed myself - I needed that boost of creativity to get
me going again!!!

Our Children

Today I am sewing - which is a very peaceful & thoughtful time for me.

While sewing I have been thinking about my children. They range in age - 16, 15, 13, 11 & 7 - but unfortunately they cope with a common problem that our children have today - broken homes. My 16 year old was born when I was 19 - her father didn't have anything to do with her until this past summer - which at first was very hard for me - but I am dealing with it - whether or not it is good for me or not it is for her. And with this new relationship she has with her father I too have a new relationship - not with him - but with his wife. That relationship is very special to me. She & I have been on the phone for hours before - we have built some sort of friendship. This had made me think more about the situation my other children are in. My 15 year old is my step son & the other three are my children from a 10 year marriage that was never going to work. I gave my all but sometimes that still isn't good enough. And sometimes getting out is better than staying for your kids. Which in my case it was.

Ok but back to my point today. These kids should NOT have to hear from either parent that the other parent is worthless in any way! My 3 kids came home from their dad's yesterday with the same ole' story - their dad bad mouthing me.

I ask anyone that reads this that is in my situation - please remember these children will be adults one day & they will think like an adult one day. When you bad mouth their parent it hurts them - you aren't making yourself look good to them & you are tearing down any relationship you may have with them. So instead of hurting them with your negative words why not just work on building your own relationship with them stronger. Whether you like the other parent or not it is THEIR parent & they love that parent!

My Furbabies

This is Belle

my 15 week old Great Dane

This is Roscoe

He is almost 6 years old

I just adore my Danes - They are amazing dogs. Extremely loyal!

Roscoe is a Halequin - Belle is a Black

When she is old enough I am going to breed them

I can hardly wait to have Great Dane babies!

Not been too good at this -

I have not done to well at this blogging thing!!!

But I really want to get better - I am going to do this - New Year's Resolution maybe??? LoL

I have been really hating on my having to work outside of my home - so I am trying to work a game plan with Sister - she has a degree in advertising & is very computer savvy! Me - I am just a creative mess! I want to make everything - so I will! And she will help me network me & my things!

I am currently working on a quilt for my sister in law for Christmas - it really reminded me of how much I adore working with my creative side!

To see this pile of rubish & know it will be something my sister in law will love when I get done with it makes me smile!

As soon as I have the finished product I will post photos!

Letting them spread their wings -

Wow - I never knew that would be the hardest thing as a mother I would do.

My oldest daughter is 16 & she met her biological father this year. I have always said I would back her decision if that was something she ever decided to do - I just didn't know how hard that would be. I am very happy for her that it went the way it did FOR HER - for me I can't say I didn't have a selfish side of me that didn't hope he would take the same stand he took 16 years ago. This is MY baby - then I had to share. I am so proud of my daughter - she is an amazing child - from birth to this day.

Well she moved in with her father two days ago. I had to let her go. It is something she needed to do. I haven't seen a smile on her face in sooo long - she needed to go fill the rest of that hole in her heart that only he can do for her. She is very lucky to also have gained 2 brothers & from everything I can tell so far a very wonderful step- mother. I knew in a year & half her wings would spread & she would leave my nest - I can't say I was ready now though. I thought I still had that year & half to sneak in her room while she was sleeping & admire this beautiful woman she is becoming.

Spread your wings baby & continue to be wonderful - I love you my angel.

This is that beautiful smile I have missed!

I haven't been too good at this -

But I intend on writting more often. I think it will be good for me right now especially.

I have been dealing with some things with my ex. He is taking me back to court to modify child support - which I find to be a huge joke - how do you expect to pay less when you barely pay at all & have never paid what you are suppose to. And also to modify visitation - he has accused my fiance of pulling a gun on him. My fiance did have a gun on his 4 wheeler one day when my ex came to drop off the kids - but he had been fishing & we have snakes around our pond - obviously we don't want them there (because I am skeered - but also because he have children that are around the pond sometimes also). He has put in the court papers that I send him harrassing text - well I do text around the time he is suppose to pay child support & ask about it. He says something ugly & yes I respond - when he takes copies of my text to court I wonder if it will show his side? I think not - he has called me everything you can think of - white trash whore - toothless whore - the list goes on. The only difference in this now then when we were married - I don't cry about it & go woe is me - I stand up & say FU.

Anyway I spent my day yesterday being mad & negative - well I decided to sit down this morning with pen & paper & write down all the things my kids come home & tell me when they have been at his house - it really helped me. It sucks to think about the hurt they have - but it also reminded me why I am such an important part of their lives - I show them the love & support children need. So I will now stay positive - knowing that my kids know that I am here for them is more than any court or ex can do.