HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I want to wish all of you, My Dear bloggy friends a Happy New Year!

We have had some rough patches in 2008, I'm looking forward to a much improved 2009!

I thought I'd start the New Year with an update on HOSS, Since he is now 20 We think that he has earned the right to be a pasture pal. This means that in the summer if we can afford it we will be looking for another "bombproof" horse. Crystal is so excited about this. We have to see how much overtime they work DH at his new job first. Today I'm running to the Vets for some pain meds for HOSS as his Ringbone is acting up, hence why we are "turning him out to pasture"..lol..He will be a well loved spoiled old boy for sure!

Our plans for tonight is to watch the ball drop on TV, We never go out..I like to be home and snuggled in front of the TV!

What are your plans? Do you go out and see friends or go to parties? Whatever you do have a SAFE and Happy evening!

A New Adventure in the Bloggy World

I have thought and pondered and I have jumped! Since I can't open my own storefront right now I'm opening a Bloggy one!

http://theforgottenbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Please come visit and say HI!

E-mail me if you have any thoughts on making this better!

Merry Christmas from the Graves Family

It's been a very Blessed Day!

We hope that you had one too!

I wish all my new found friends a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Happy 6th Birthday Abigail!!

Today is Abigail's 6th Birthday, 6 years ago I was in the Hospital with the best Christmas present ever! We celebrate her Birthday early so that Family is not stressed out and can enjoy the day, We had a small party here with an DQ Ice Cream cake.

Mommy Loves You Abigail!

A Finished Stitchery..Running Behind

I have finished my latest Stitchery and the frame has dried, I spray painted it black. I'm on the hunt for the perfect corner here to hang it, It's the year that DH and I were married.

I'm so behind, I wanted to stitch something for my sister but I haven't started that yet and I have to run out and grab presents still!!

Are you running behind too, Will you be out there on Christmas Eve too..lol..?

A Bloggy friend Visit

Last Monday I got to meet JenW from http://purtygirlprimitives.blogspot.com/ We had set up a meeting many times before but stuff would always pop up..We finally made it! I had her over for a light lunch and nice chat down in my Sewing Room. She gave me such a nice doll that I had won from her Give-away many months ago. It was a great visit and I'm looking forward to more Monday Get-Togethers!

The Winner Is....

So Sorry it has taken me so long to pull a name, We are enjoying the last few days of having DH home before he starts his new job plus overtime!

The winner is Heather from http://goodfarm.blogspot.com/....CONGRATS!!

I took my 17 yr old Sister to take her driving test for the permit and she past!! SO now we get to teach her how to drive..DH has his work cut out for him..lol.. CONGRATS lil Sister!

Bringing Some Christmas Cheer to Mom

My mom and lil Sister were having a hard time decorating for Christmas, It's almost 3 years since Dad's Horrible passing. SO I loaded the family up and we went over to help, Mom made a huge pot of Split Pea soup and cake for dessert last night and I brought along my new Camera, we are still playing around with all the nice features and getting used to it...It even has a Paneramic? pics, It takes 3 pics and stitches them together to make a big pic..How Nice is that!!! DH was playing around with the ornaments and focus so some might seem out of focus..

Today I'm having lunch here at my house with JenW from http://purtygirlprimitives.blogspot.com/ She doesn't live very far from me it turns out. We will be sure to grab a pic to share.

It's dreary, rainy and nasty outside today..Good for hiding in my Sewing room..lol..

A Nice Dinner and a BIG Surprise

A pocket full of style.
10.3 MP for prints up to 30 × 40 in. (76 × 102 cm)
3X optical zoom
HD picture capture
Face detection technology
Blur reduction technology
Li-Ion battery and AC adapter for charging included
Choose from many stylish colors

Yesterday was the perfect day! We went to Westerville and visited DH's mom and she watched the kids for us, We went out for Chinese food and then he surprised me with a trip to Best Buy for my Christmas present, a Kodak Easyshare camera in light purple..We were able to get the "Bundle" special that came with the extra battery and case for the camera..Girls I'm in LOVE with this camera..lol..My old camera was a Fujifilm digital but so dated and old..pics would come out dark all the time...There are so many new settings on this camera..for snow and even a special setting for Children!! I'm going to be using this setting lots!!

Sorry if I sound like I'm bragging but he surprised me good! Things are really looking back up for us.

Tonight we are going over to my mom's house for Dinner, split pea soup..YUMMO!

I know I'm late announcing the Winner of my Give-away, I'll announce on Monday.

HE GOT THE JOB!

Today DH was offered the job here in Dublin for Cardinal Health, which pays more than his last job and no moving out of state! He does have 1hour and 20 min. drive each day so he'll prob. spend one or 2 nights with his mom but that's so much better than living out of state Monday thru Friday. He will start next week sometime.

Thank You for all the Prayers and Good thoughts!

We feel so much better, like a huge weight has been lifted from our shoulders..can't wait to talk to the kids tonight and tomorrow G'ma is watching the kids so that DH and I can celebrate at a nice dinner!

A Christmas Play~2008

On Tuesday night was the girls Christmas Play...Both girls were singing in it this year! The first pic is of Abigail's Kindergarten class..Abigail is in the first row with the jean dress, white tights and black headband..

then the 3rd graders sang, this is the whole 3rd graders in the school..Crystal is barley visible in this pic..

I love how small our school is and that we are beginning to know everyone.

DH is sick with a nasty bug and yesterday I was busy helping our lil guy, he was sick too...tons of laundry for me today!

My 200th Post "Mystery Box" Give-Away

The Mystery Box

I have reached my 200th post!! SO to celebrate I'm having a Give-away! In this cute little box is some cute little items which will remain a mystery..lol..Most is not Christmas related but I have something in mind of the Holiday Cheer to throw in!

To enter please leave a Comment.

For a Second Chance~ Please blog about this give-away and then let me know so I can come visit you.

Give-Away open till Friday!

A Morning of Play!

This morning was so bright and sunny out, still only 27 degrees but we just couldn't resist. We bundled up everyone, animals included and played outside! We are now sipping hot chocolate and enjoying the rest of this beautiful Sunday!

Enjoy your Day!

Another Give-Away!

http://crazyladiesprimitives.blogspot.com/ is having a fun give-away, you have to scroll down a little to see the post but it's a nice give-away!

Bookworm Friday

Lady Elizabeth Wellington travels from England to Montana to take a job as a rural schoolteacher, fleeing an engagement to a brutal man--and finds herself falling in love with a rancher who doesn’t seem to be able to escape the memory of his first wife.

This is simply a refreshing book, I love the details of the countryside. Subtle conflict, no bad language. I'm only have way thru and find myself trying to steal little snippets in the day to read a chapter. There are flashbacks in lady Elizabeth's life and you want to keep reading to find out why she left England. The dance of emotions to Garret that she keeps to herself. it's hard to put this book down Ladies!

It looks like there are about 3 more books in this series ~Coming To America
I'll have to find the other 3 at the Library!

I Was Awarded!

Jen over at http://purtygirlprimitives.blogspot.com/ has awarded me. Thank You :)

The rules of this award are:
1.Put the logo on your blog or post.
2.Nominate at least 5 blogs(can be more)that for you are Uber Amazing!
3.Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
4.Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

I don't know of anyone that has not received this so I'm going to keep my eye out!

Lookie What I Got..As My Kids say..LOL..

I won Sue's Coffee Give-away over at http://countrypleasures.blogspot.com/
I am really going to enjoy these, Coffee perks me up and boy I need it these days..lol..Thanks so Much Sue for pulling my name! The Coffee smells delightful!

Whatcha Working On Wed.

I have put out my Christmas Village on top of my buffet, One light seems to have blown out last night but it's so pretty at night with the lights off. I'd love to start collecting the villages with a Quilt Shop sign or Sewing motif's, I was in a local Quilt shop where she had a few light up and said that they are so hard to find because everyone wants them.

I'm puttering around here with the placement of my Christmas. I love my Sant's but for after Christmas what do you use in your decorating? Maybe Snowmen?

SO yesterday DH's interview went well, the job is his for the taking and they want him to start right away, We are trying to see if he can have a week to get everything ready here and to go to the girl's Christmas Play, both girls are in it this year. On the drive home HE got another call from a Business here that wants to interview him, He told then that if he is in the running for the job then they need to interview him this week as he has already spoken with a company, now if he can get Hired for here then of course he will put the other Business in Kentucky off. We shall see what happens.

Another Give-Away!

Heather over at http://mrstuxtattoo.blogspot.com/ is having a Great cute give-away in celebration of her 100th post..Stop by and say "Congrats"!

Christmas Corners

Here are Christmas Corners in the Graves house! A big pic that my Sister gave me before she moved to FL last month, Love the saying! I have to show my big picture window, It views our back 5 acres..It's spitting snow today. Our big LLOONNGG wall that the TV is on..wish I new how to decorate that! Should I add lights on the mantle too, I did it for Fall/Halloween (orange lights).

Thank You for all the kind words yesterday, They cheered me up and pushed me forward. I stayed up way to late last night Stitching and reading..lol..

Adorable Apron Give-away!

Catherine over at http://www.cateslinens.blogspot.com/ is having an adorable apron give-away, Stop by and say "HI".

Job Woe's Bring Changes

This is worth fighting for! This is our mini ranch farmhouse, we took this pic after moving in 1 1/2 years ago. This is our second Christmas here. Many of you know that DH has been laid off Nov. 5th and is still looking for work. Today he is leaving for Louisville Kentucky for a Tues. interview. It's looking like they really want him and we will know more tomorrow after his interview. I should be very happy but I'm not and here's why...He will have to get an extended stay or small short term lease on an apartment, this is a 6 month contract and it's 3 1/2 hours away from here..He will be able to come home on the weekends but Mon-Fri I'm Mommy and Daddy! We have bills to pay, mortgage and ect..I'm NOT losing my house..everything else can go..I can go back to no truck easily. I understand that Military wives are without their spouses for a long time and I'm not slighting this at all but I'm not a Military wife and have never been without DH for such a long period of time before except for short business trips. With the 3 kids-2 in school, 3 dogs, and still Hoss..It's not like we can easily follow DH and sell our house. No one is buying houses in this economy. We are waiting till after Tues. to make a decision on Hoss..We might have to sell him..I can't be out in the barn in the dead of Winter and chance falling/slipping trying to take care of him and have just the kids in the house..We are saddened that it has come to this, He is a lovely old man. We have already informed Pipen's owner that she has to move her horse.

SO it's December 1st and we are facing some major changes here. We have already decorated the house for Christmas and I made sure to play enough Christmas music to cheer us up! Crystal is the oldest so she understands what we have told her but is still very nervous/scared..the other 2 are too young to grasp it.

I'll post decorating pics tomorrow, I wanted to update since you've all been so kind to ask and please keep us in you thoughts/prayers.

Bookworm Friday

I'm reading a great magazine tonight, It's "Real Simple" and it's full of some great Holiday tips!

Here are some tips from the "Real Simple" Website on Saving on this Holiday Season

# Mail flat rate for heavier items. Choose this two- to three-day shipping option (for domestic destinations) from the U.S. Postal Service and pay the same amount regardless of box weight. For example, sending an 11-by-8 1/2-by-5 1/2-inch box from New York to California costs $9.80, whether it weighs 20 pounds or 70.


# Send out holiday postcards. If you choose the standard 4 1/4-by-6-inch size, you’ll save 15 cents a card (using a 27 cent stamp instead of a 42 cent one).


# Say so long to expensive wrapping paper. Cover your gifts with butcher paper (about $16 for 500 feet) instead of “designer” paper (about $30 for 30 feet).


# Stock up on wine by the case to present as hostess gifts. Most retailers offer a 10 percent discount on larger orders; just ask the next time you’re at a wine shop. Some will even let you mix different brands in one box.


# Top gifts with yarn. Pass on the $10-a-yard ribbon options and score a huge bundle of yarn—more than 70 yards—for just $2 to $6.


# Stick with serving a signature punch or cocktail. Stocking a full bar can be quite costly—around $265 for wine, beer, liquors, and mixers to serve 25 guests.


# Ditch disposable stemware. It may seem cheap (about $10 for 10 Champagne flutes), but the price of plastic can really add up, since you’ll have to buy it for each party. Instead, visit a restaurant-supply store (check your Yellow Pages to find the nearest one). You’ll find reusable glass stemware for around $1 a glass.

DO you have a Great Saving Tip for the Holidays? Please share it!!

Having a Happy Thanksgiving?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

We are stuffed to the gills here and watching "White Christmas" again.

It was great to have my mom here and my sister and my MIL and her DH came for a visit also. The kids colored tons of pics and we watched "WALL-E"!! It was an early Christmas present from my mom..what a cute movie and I think that I'll be seeing that movie once a day for a lloonngg time..lol..

I'm wishing my bloggy family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Whatcha Working On Wed.

We are playing a ton of Scrabble here, DH and I have rediscovered it and the girls are having fun learning their words and playing along with us. We are making the Family play tomorrow also, They just don't know it yet..lol..

I have also started on our name Stitchery, It will say

The Graves est. 1997

stitched in black and then put into a black frame, I'm not going to stain this one as the fabric is already alittle darker.

Our Abigail has strep, I had to take her into the ER this morning, her lymp node was swollen and very tender, they did a culture and it came back positive. She is on mega doses of antibiotics and now I have to watch the other 2 kids for it too. Tomorrow the family is still coming over, they just will not drink or eat after her. I have called everyone to let them know.

I'm off to take a nap and catch up on reading.