Aging Parents The Hearbreak of it all

Maybe I can write this without crying or maybe not.  This is one subject I never wanted to think about.  I just can't imagine all of it.  Yes I tend to hide my head in the sand.  It just gets me through.

First off I love my parents so much, they are who made me and taught me all I know.  I am so close to them and since my brother died in Vietnam in 1968, I am all that they have.  Then my son Dustin died in 2005 and really I am it.

At times I don't feel like I do enough for them.  Everday I talked to them a million times on the phone, go to their house to do the little things that they can no longer do....and do the errands, pay bills, take to doctor, etc.. I still feel guilty for not doing enough.  If I don't do it for them then who will.

Luckily they both are alert, very much so.  Their health is good it is just that they are aging.  Dad is 85 and Mom is 80.  Dad needs attention because 1) he's spoiled 2) he is frail.  Mom needs rest and doesn't get it as often as she should.  It breaks my heart as Mom watches the love of her life, the strong farmer, the man of the house....slip.

Life gets in the way at times preventing me from being there all the time.  Yes I feel guilty because they were always there for me no matter what.  Do any of you have suggestions on how to handle these emotions?

I am their baby girl and they are my heroes. 

Fabulous Jewelry

Everyone loves jewelry.  When we are getting ready it is the jewelry we choose that is the finishing touch.  I am sharing some of my favorite.  Enjoy your day!

Shoshi Po's shop

Jewels by Trish

Woman With Tools

Earjeans

How to have a Successful Etsy Shop, Check out this blog

If you could please visit this blog and become a follower.  It is an Esty Team Blog, Hearts and Hands United; however many great treasures are shown and every Tuesday is Tuesday Tools.  Come join!

Would loved to see you there! 
Today is how to have a Successful Etsy Shop http://heartsandhandsunited.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much!

Lilacs and Molly (my dog)

Lilacs are just so refreshing and a sure sign that Spring and warmer weather is here.  Sharing some photos of my Lilacs and couldn't resist taking pics of Molly becaue she hates it!

Have a peaceful Sunday Morning....

Really lovin' Vintage Today and Everyday

I never knew where my love for Vintage would take me to where I am.  Back when it wasn't cool I was always facinated with the old things.  Can't help but to wonder where had it been before, what was its use, did someone adore this.  Wishing that each piece could talk because I want to know: I am curious that way.

After reading an article that stated vintage was a part of being eco-friendly a way to help the earth stay green I really got excited.  Why is it that it takes us "older" generation a long time to see what we can do to be green.

Like a kid in the candy shop when I see Trash to Treasrue I am mesmerized, I just drool when I pass a trash pile....Auctions, gararge sales....be still my heart.  It's difficult to describe the feeling that comes over me.  That is how I know that I LOVE vintage, trash to treasures and recycled items.  How cool is that?

So I am sharing with you some vintage items from my shop, Lafe's Hidden Treasures.  I hope you enjoy them

Blessings to all of you.

Thank you for looking!  Come browse in my shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/LafesHiddenTreasures

Dad's Tool Shed and Friday Follow

Yesterday was spent clearing out my Dad's "tool" shed.  He is 85 and wants to know what all he has in there and for me to take what I want.  Not being a real fan of farm tools I reluctantly agreed.   Really I had no choice 1) I love him 2) I am an only child 3)  can't say no to Dad.

You have to know that this shed has not been touched in about 5 years.  When my son Dusty was alive he would drool as he entered the shed but nobody has been in there since.

As I entered the first thing I saw was an old bottle, be still my heart I have always had a love for old bottles.  Then I saw a vintage oil can, then a key chain and at that instant I was so excited.  I was a cleaning fool since I couldn't wait to see what else I would discover.

As I was sitting for a break just looking into the shed I pondered and remembered so many things from that tool shed.  It was as though I was turning the pages of my mind, wiping dust off memories.

My Dad was a farmer his whole life.  This was a part of who he was.  His tools were at the center of his life.  My eyes filled with tears as I remembered seeing him grab a tool to fix my bike, work on a tractor, tune my car, build a fence with each task he would just smile.

It had to be difficult for him to tell me to clear out his shed a part of him.  By the time we (of course Mike helped me) were done our truck was full.  Treasures of a hard working man, a loving father and devoted husband.  I can't imagine letting someone clear my basement....I would hyper ventilate. 

My journey yesterday took various different paths.  All is good and all is well.

Blog Success...Please Share your Secrets

Uh-Oh some time on my hands this morning....that could mean mischief is in sight.  lol 

Would like to talk about Blog Following.  When do you follow your blog?  Are you a follower to all the blogs that follow you?  Tell me how this works.

I have not been blogging for long but yearn to increase my following.  What is the secret?  What subject draws other bloggers to your blog?

Please share and we all can become more educated.  Come on pros let's hear it!

Appreciate my blog Followers

Not to be sappy or gushy but lately I have been so thankful for my Blog Followers, my Facebook friends and all of my friends in my life.

Before my son, Dustin died in 2005, I was a social butterfly, the friend who carried the burdens of my friends.  Suddenly all of that changed and I needed someone to help me.  It was difficult but soon realized that the friends that actually stayed with me after his death were true friends.  Believe it some of the "friends" I had left me. rarely heard from, I am talking friends for 20-25 years. 

Today I want you to know that I am thankful when you visit my blog, when you write....not sure thankful is a good word but all of you are very much appreciated!  You just have no idea what it means to me.

OK sappy stuff is over....have a blessed day!

Vintage Treasures

Continuing from yesterday post about being "Green" and shaing.

I put out the question is collecting Vintage being "Green"?  The answer was yes.  Feels good to keep something from going to the trash.

A slice of yesterday like a time piece each vintage items has a history which is often times mysterious.  I love Vintage!

Just sharing some Vintage items from Lafe's Hidden Treasures hope you enjoy a small step back in time.

Tatting Pattern emailed to you

Vintage Quilt Squares

Vintage Cabinet Pulls

Thanks for letting me share with you.

Have a great day!

What do you do to be "Green" eco-friendly?

If I had only known as a child I needed to recycle....what a difference that would have made. I think they were Hippies!   It didn't really hit me until later years that being earth friendly was important.

When we had our own garden the last couple of years we used rain water to keep the garden watered, I was so excited with this!

Of course I do more than just that but that was my big project and was warm and fuzzy every time we watered!  The vegis loved it too.

What do you do to be "green'?  Big or small each part helps.  Share if you please.

Banners, Graphics, Patterns, Soap and more

This week has just flown right by!  I was so busy from working in my shops, siding my parents addition, cleaning, soap making.....whew finally a day to relax!

Recently I opened a soap shop on Etsy, Seven Oak Farm.  Not much in there yet but lots more soap coming I just couldn't wait to open it!  Take a look when you can!

Also in The Banner Loft I have added custom graphics, blog banners, Etsy banners custom thank you graphics and more.

Hope your day is filled with sunshine and happiness!

Closing one of my shops, Clearance

All Pillow Case dresses have been reduced!

Take a look before all is gone.  Once items are gone we are done.

Please take a look at my other shops

The Banner Loft http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebannerloft

Seven Oak Farm http://www.etsy.com/shop/sevenoakfarm

Lafe's Hidden Treasures http://www.etsy.com/shop/LafesHiddenTreasures

Have a fun weekend!

Mish Mash Monday- Let's Talk Flowers

Oh my dream to have this!

I am for sure not the only one who thinks that the first hint of nice weather my mind gears towards flowers, what kind can I get this year?

A few years ago I planted so many Perennials so I wouldn't have to plant every year.  Yet what do I do?  Search for more!  Is there a time when you say ENOUGH?  I am not sure....

I have Lavender, Sage, Oregano, Chocolate Mint for herbs, the Sedum, Lillies, Alyssum, Salvia, Hostas and so many more that I forget the names. 

What do you have in your garden?

Do you really ever relax?

A new day dawns with a big list of all that needs done.  Somehow there is just not enough hours in a day to get it completed.  At times this may bring frustration and oh no that's not good for us.

I know I never really relax.  My mind is always on the go with all the things that need done, new ideas, and the little stuff that was ignored. 

During the winter months relaxing was watching some TV then going to bed.  Nope that just didn't do it.  I need to relax for 10 minutes at least during the day.....but I don't....go here, do this, always more to do.

What do you do to relax?  How do you just let go?  The powers that be say we need totally relaxation several times a day.  Please share!

Custom Blog Banners, Custom Etsy Banners

I am so excited to be offering Custom Blog Banners and tag (others can put on their blogs) in The Banner Loft. 

For all of you that have an Etsy Shop I have Custom Banner and Avatar or an Etsy Shop Set.  Nice banners are great for sales, first inpressions mean so much to shoppers.

My inventory contains thousands of graphics, tubes, masks, brushes and the list goes on.  Together we can design exactly what you are looking for.

In the next day or so I will be offering custom graphics for your blog, eg. good morning from Jane Doe's Painting, Have a great weekend, etc.  Lots of possibilities!

Come on over for a visit!

Flea Market Weekend

Our first time ever to set up at a Flea Market.  We learned alot, had fun and I could have spent more than we made!  I had to use some restraint.  You know the feeling, you see a table with all the things you love on it and you start to drool, hoping nobody notices?  Well, that was me.  My creative juices were in overdrive thinking of all the possibilities.  Junk Treasures were everywhere, I was surrounded and at one point cornered!  Stopping to take some deep breaths, then breathing like I was in labor.  My senses were about to explode when my cell phone rang.  It was Mike, I had left him at our table and people were asking questions that only I knew the answers.  Slowly I backed away, holding my breath at this point, I turned to walk toward our booth as it came into my sight, Mike standing there looking at me as though I had been gone for hours, it was only one hour, he stated, " I was about to send a search and rescue."  It was then I realized my trip to the bathroom was a little long, however the beautiful Junk Treasures my eyes and heart came into contact with was worth it all.

Until the next time I went to get coffee....I think you know the rest of the story!

It is so true that one man's junk is another man's treasure!

Ramblings on a sunny morning

Seems like it has been forever since I blogged and I missed it so much.  Sometimes Life just has us doing other things.

My days have been filled with so many different missions....whew, I want my "abnormal" normal back.

I know to all of you when you read this will think I am coo-coo!  My friends may agree with you...but I love them anyway.

As you know, I lost my only child, my son in a car accident in 2005.  When I keep myself busy, I feel like I do not think about Dusty as much.  I feel guilty.  OK enough...

We setting up at a flea market this weekend and hopefully it will be a success. 

Happy Easter to all!