Time to sell some Lolli's

I just signed up to be a vendor at "Chic Boutique" in Eugene on March 26-27.  I'm really excited to sell Lollibags there.  There will be about 1,400 women attending.  I'm going to be sewing bags like crazy for the next 4 weeks!  This event is Career Conference for Mary Kay ladies.  I sold Mary Kay for 7 years, I finally stopped when I had my 5th child.  I love Mary Kay and have always wanted to take my girls to the Mary Kay museum in Texas....  So this is extra exciting :)  Have you ever seen photos or products from the 60's when Mary Kay first started?  LOVE them!  Totally vintage!!

Also I am going to be a vendor at the Vintage Barn Sale  in Rathdrum, Idaho, it is up by Coeur d'Alene.  That sale is on July 10th.  I'm super duper happy about that sale, because it is a vintage sale and you know I am all about vintage!  I can't wait to post pictures from both sales, and hope those aren't my only two!

Picking up my boot straps....

This is crazy!  I will not feel sorry for myself for one more minute!  I am not going to hesitate to be closer to God.  I don't care what trials come my way!

Yes I've just had a e-mail conversation with my best friend.  She always listens to me, always encourages me, always prays for me, always gives me Bible verses to cheer me up.  What would I do without her?

I know I will again be in the goop I was in yesterday, but all I can do is pray and trust that Jesus will see me through, no matter the outcome.

On Sunday I "ran away", I told hubby I just need some time to myself.  I took my Bible and sat in a parking lot and read Hebrews 11.  By Faith.  I love that chapter.  But where has my faith gone?  When my mom died I was still strong in my faith.  Or was I.  We all had faith that God would heal her.  But He didn't, He brought her home.  I will never forget, at the hospital the day she died I was sitting with her, she was going in and out of sleep or maybe consciousness.  At one point I wanted  to know if she was excited to see Jesus.  To me I think if I was dying, a part of me would be so giddy with excitement to see Jesus!  
 See that morning the dr.'s told us we will just make her comfortable now.  So we were preparing for her to die.
So I went up to her and sat on her hospital bed and held her hand and I said mom, are you ready to see Jesus?  She popped her eyes open and looked at me like, how could you say that? how could you lose faith for my healing?

I was so heartbroken I could not say goodbye to her, that she could not give me any last words of wisdom.  In her mind she still had the faith, she knew she would be healed.  I had to go home to my kids, and later that night at 8:30 pm she died.  I held firm in my faith, I never questioned God.  Till these past couple of years.

I used to rent a booth in a store and I sold vintage items.  One lady was at the counter checking out and we started talking.  She said she had been healed of cancer.  And she told the lady working with me that yes God heals, don't worry.  And I was thinking, how could you even say that?  At that point I thought, I've really lost my faith, haven't I?  I wanted to scream at her, well God didn't heal my mom of cancer, so don't go telling everyone that God always heals!  Cuz sometimes He doesn't!  But I didn't and I didn't want to take away from her experience, so I said nothing about my mom. 

But at that point, I knew I had to get right with God.  You know my family did everything it said to do in the Bible, praying with elders, being annointed, having faith.  But I have to just know that God has a big huge plan that did not include healing my mom.  I am still working on my faith, I suppose I will never ARRIVE, till I arrive to my heavenly home.  I'm quite ashamed for my attitude concerning this, because God has done miracles in my life.  But I think, on my knees is a better place to be than walking tall and proud.

Weary Mother

I am oh so weary.  Why is it some days I can handle anything and other days the new crumbs on the floor I just swept, send me into tears?  Today I discovered my 19 year old has made a decision that goes against the way we raised him.    Have you noticed that when there is a lull, it is never for long?
Lately when I pray, it is always in the back of my mind, be careful what you pray for!  Yes I know this should not enter my mind during prayer, because usually while I am thinking this it is during a "please help me be more like you Lord" prayer, or "show me your will".  "Help me forgive".  I no longer pray for patience.  I know that will mean my 2 year old will show me over and over how to be patient.

I wonder will my trials be less if I do not pray for these things?  But how can I not, I truly want those things.  Is my son's decision a trial to push me closer to the Lord?  Or is it because I treated my parents so badly during my teenage years?  Is this the "sins of the mother" revisiting me?  Or my Savior drawing me close.  I'm not sure , but it has all worn me out. 

I would like to take a mothering sabbatical.  Or maybe not.  I don't know what I need.  Maybe just a good cry.  I am on the verge now, but there are dishes to do and children to feed and I went on a baking frenzy today after learning of this decision by my child.  Why?  I bake to show my family I love them.

But oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and 2 loaves of zucchini bread are not helping.  Sophie refused to eat her dinner I so lovingly made in my new crockpot.  I just finally gave up after listening to her cry for 20 minutes.  My rule is no eating till the next meal if you don't eat your dinner.  But I am to weary to enforce it tonight.

Why do some children keep reading their Bibles and clinging to what they are taught and other don't?  I would really like to know.  These teenage years have really thrown me for a loop.  I never imagined it would be so hard.  My mom never told me raising kids would be so heartbreaking.

Lolli's Lollibag

My daughter Lauren made this Lollibag today. 

Lollibag is made from canvas with vintage fabric scallops on front.  It has hand embroidery, and two interior pockets.

It has a vintage button for the closure.

Lauren thought this Lollibag could be used as a lunch bag, or a little girls bag.

Lollibag measures 9 inches wide by almost 8 inches high.  Strap is 24 1/2 inches long.  Spot clean.

If you would like to purchase this Lollibag, send me an e-mail and I will send you a paypal invoice.  Lollibag is $17 + $3 shipping. 

Thanks for looking :)

Today's Walmart trip & photo's from my b-day drive.....

This is my son's vintage Toyota wagon.  Yes, loving vintage runs in the family.  Nic finally got the wagon running, so we took it to Walmart this morning.  Nic is my grocery shopping buddy.  I said "Nic, take a picture of me by your car and I'll try to be like on Price is Right."

We are ready!  I've got my ruffle Lollibag and my iced grande nonfat latte from Starbucks.  My brother-in-law sent me starbucks cards for my birthday. :)

Thanks Jeff!

Gotta tell ya, I rolled up into Patricia's lane today on lane 14, the only one open.  And she was no nonsense!  Loved her!  No talking, just smiled, and before you know it we were out of there.

Back at the wagon, loading up.  Not very many groceries today, since I just went to Costco.

On my birthday I went out to run errands and took some photo's.  Here is Sophie ready to go with her sunglasses on.  It was a beautiful sunny day!

First stop was Starbucks where I saw this vintage Chevy Impala car!

Next stop was the sewing machine store to pick up Laurens sewing machine that was in for repair.  Right next to the store is a locksmith, and I look longingly at his old wooden sign every time I go.

After the  -I -  there is the rest of the word, and a great wooden key above it.

I love the steep pitch on this roof and the scallops around the dormer window, you probably cannot see them from this photo, but the details are wonderful.

I drive by this old bus often and think how fun it would be to fix it up and paint it pink and take my girls on road trips to flea markets, thrift shops and vintage sales.

This is what I see driving home, I think growing up in Minnesota, there were never any hills or mountains, only flat lands and corn fields.  So when we moved to Oregon, I thought it felt like I was on vacation everyday seeing all these hills and mountains.  I still feel that way when I see the Coburg Hills, they are so pretty.  My barn is the tan one with the gray roof in the middle.  Not quite the old red barn I dream of, but I can't complain.

It was such a beautiful sunny birthday!

Today is my birthday

So last night as I was making potato fries and baked beans, I decided to make an apple pie too!  I usually use Pillsbury ready made pie crusts.  But I had bought a box of Krusteaz pie crust mix.  So I made that up and they turned out great, but there is a chemical flavor to it I don't like.  But still a light flaky crust from a box is good.
Then I noticed on the box that it contained tree nuts, so Sophie could not have any.

It was so good, I used my best friends recipe she sent me a few years ago.  I only had three granny smith apples too, so it turned out pretty good for only three apples.  I was supposed to have 6 cups of apples...

I think it is so dark inside because I added extra cinnamon.  So my hubby and I had apple pie last night while we were watching Survivor and it was nice and warm.  I thought, oh I'll let it cool for a while then put it in the fridge.

Well I woke up this morning on my birthday and saw the pie still sitting out!  I forgot!

This would be something I would call my mom and say hey can I still eat this if I forgot it out?  Does it need to be refridgerated?  But I can't call heaven.

So if anyone wants to tell me the answer to this I'd appreciate it! 

 I am very bacteria phobic when it comes to food.  I will not eat leftovers past two days, I don't let food sit out after dinner.  I would NEVER in my life eat mayo at a picnic, sitting in the sun, even if it is on ice!

So NO ONE remembered my birthday this morning.  Not one of my 5 kids or my hubby.  I thought for sure I was going to get to pout about it all day and feel sorry for myself.  At the last minute, my second son Nic, checked his e-mail and noticed the date.  So he sounded the alarm.... lucky my hubby had a gift stashed in the boys closet!

Here it is

A lovely 6 qt. crockpot!  I love it!  I am going to make huge meals for my family.  I am going to be a crockpot cookin' mama!  My old one was hunter green and white with awful flowers all over it, and small.  I've used it to death!  I had looked longingly at these babies at the store, but thought, oh Prudy you cannot buy a new crockpot yours works just fine.

So thank you honey, I love it!

Oh by the way I am 38 today, I never thought I would reach the age of 38.  Back when I was 21 I never thought I'd reach the age of 28!  I also never thought I'd have babies past the age of 25, that was my cut off date for babies.  God certianly like to spice things up doesn't He?

I am looking forward to seeing what is in store for me today!

Ode to Pringles and Chocolate Chips

OH how I love Pringles! I never buy them because I love them so.  I know they will just take up residence on my hips.

My hubby threw them in the cart while we were at Costco.  So I have been eating them non-stop since Sunday.  My favorite flavor is original.  And they are even better when you add some chocolate chips.

See?  They are like best buddies!  And they taste oh so good together!  This is my costco size bag of chocolate chips, whom I also love.  AND they are not processed in a plant that also processes peanuts, so that is helpful for Sophie's peanut allergy. 

But really I just finished a new Lollibag and this one was emotionally trying, so Pringles helped me through and I am still eating them as we speak.

4 down 46 to go.....

3 down 47 to go!

This is Lollibag #2 of 50.  The ruffles have stripes on them, I'm not sure if you can see it.  It is the smaller size pattern I use.  And here is #3, which is from the larger pattern.

I was not so sure about this Lollibag, but Lauren said she loves it.  These are vintage zippers.  I love vintage zippers, I don't know why.  The zipper on the strap is from a vintage dress and still has the old fabric on it.

I adore this zipper!  I wonder what the dress looked like, who wore it, was she a housewife?  Probably.  The kids are just now getting home from school, time to bake some cookies and think about dinner!

Prudence

My Latest Lollibag

I am on a mission to make 50 new Lollibags!  So for that I needed some fuel.  Here is what I made, a blended mocha with a cherry, we were out of whipped cream.

I am so in love with the new neutrals and ruffles that are in the fashion magazines right now, so I am using vintage white cotton, with a tan thread.  I put a decorative stitch on these ruffles.  Very time consuming, but I love it!

Off to sew!  Sophie is sleeping, so I must be quick!

Prudence

Beautiful Apron Giveaway

Checkout Vintage Bella Studio for an apron giveaway.  It is beautiful!  I love this blog because she seems to be just like me.  5 children, she loves vintage papers, so do I.  Well I don't want to get wierd, but go checkout her blog!
Prudence

Love Lesson......

Oh will I ever learn???  I think at least my times of repentance come more quickly after I open my big mouth...  My hubby just took me to costco.  We were in line checking out, and I started chatting with the cashier... Her manager came up and told her something.  She started joking with me about the "manager".  I said ya and he's a "man". 

Here comes my man issues again.

She said you have to pretend like they come up with the ideas to make them feel good.  I said well why should I dumb myself down to make him feel better.  (yikes, did I really say that?)

So then my hubby walks up to us and she said oh shhhhh.  I said hey I thought you were my sister!  She comes around and hugs me, so sweet.  And starts chatting with hubby.

As she is chatting with hubby, she turns around and mouths to me "he really loves you".    I smiled and had tears in my eyes, trying not to let anyone see.  I'm already feeling the guilt, why can't I be positive and loving right from the start?

We started walking out and my hubby tells me, she lost her husband at 40 and she is spending valentines day alone.

She is spending valentines day alone.  I had to say that to myself a couple times.  She lost her husband.. and is spending valentines day alone... and she gave ME a hug!  Wow, I want to be more like that.

Prudence

Lessons from a Walmart Cashier.....

This is what I would someday like to be driving to Walmart!  I saw this truck on the North Shore and thought it was so cute.  It would be fun to bum around in, find some junk, visit a thrift shop...

Well my first trip to Walmart since getting home was actually a good one!  I was very appreciative at the low prices.  I had a full cart and pushed it on up to lane 10 with Deanna.  I have never seen her before.  But that is because I went late in the day, normally I go very early. 

Let me tell you, Deanna was all business, no nonsense!  Great gal, love her.

She asked if I found everything I was looking for.  I said yes.  Normally I do not like this type of small talk, I used to, but then I started talking back and changing subjects, and I guess cashiers don't like that.

Deanna was quick, didn't ask me if I wanted a bag for a certain item, didn't dig through my cart to locate a bag that was not full yet.  Great!  She was so quick that as I was taking a plastic bag off the wheel thing, she whipped it around and my bag flew off into my hands!  Great!  I love this lady!

She didn't condescend to me, she didn't grab my credit card out of my hand.... yes credit card, we do charge everything we can on the Hawaiian Airlines Visa, to earn points for the free flights to Hawaii.  But we do pay that visa off every month.  I wouldn't recommend it, we should pay cash, but you can't argue with a free ticket to Hawaii.

So I think I found a good cashier.

Prudence

Home again, Home again...

It is good to be home again.  It was a great trip, seeing my hubby's family.  Aren't those flowers beautiful?  We bought those two bunches to leave on my hubby's grandparents grave.

  The beauty of Hawaii amazes me everytime I go.  I am so blessed to HAVE TO go there to see family.

I adore the beach and the ocean.  Ever since I was little I have wanted to pack up  and move to an island and live in a cottage by the beach.  The ocean is so mysterious to me, scary and beautiful.

I love to sit at the beach and watch and listen to the waves.  It is so calming and peaceful.  It's as if there is no other life I have when I am sitting there.  I watch and just say thank you Jesus.  Thank you for the beauty you have made.

I decided to be positive this post :)

We had our share of whoopsy's on this trip, like always.  But oh well...

And Sophie was a handful at times, well about all the time...

But I sit and look at my pictures and I don't remember when she cried nonstop on the plane on the way out.

I always beg my hubby.... Honey, can't we just pack up and move to Fiji?  The scary thing is, I would do it.  If he said yes, I would go.  But he is the voice of reason and I am the adventuror.

For instance, I would in a second, throw caution to the wind and buy this pair of Louboutin shoes I am so gently holding.  I would just charge it, knowing that somehow I would sell enough Lollibags to cover the shoes...

The $895 shoes with the red sole.  Now don't get me wrong.  I know what matters in life, and I know it is not material possessions.  But a girl can dream!

We bought shave ice instead :)

Okay, so I'm going to go sew Lollibags, like mad, not for the red soled shoes, but to pay for groceries at Walmart next week!

Lessons from a vacation

Oh I have some sweet pictures I wish I could post, but I did not bring my camera wire thing.  I have had waaaaaaayyyyy to many lessons on this vacation! 
Do you know what it means when you are learning lessons?  It means things are not going well for you and you have to keep getting into these situations till you learn how to react properly!
OK so that should tell you how it's going so far.  Will post my new lessons learned next week.  Till then, Aloha my friends!